Engaging in Activism During a Pandemic
How to keep your foot on the gas, even from the confines of quarantine
By Macy Harder
I think it’s fair to assume that six months of being in quarantine has wreaked havoc on all of our lives. Our daily routines have been completely uprooted, our social lives exist on group FaceTime, and going to the grocery store has gone from a mundane chore to the highlight of our day (and an excuse to put together a real outfit). But more recently, being in the confines of our own homes has also affected the way many people practice activism.
After the murder of George Floyd, masses have taken to the streets to protest the state-sanctioned violence against innocent Black people by police. Day and night, crowds fill the streets to stand up against injustice. Pandemic-related concerns run high as organizers and activists on the front lines remind everyone to take necessary health safety measures, especially because Black Americans are at a higher risk for COVID-19 related health complications.
However, even in the presence of these precautions, physically attending a protest is not an accessible option for everyone. But luckily, there are a multitude of ways we can show up for Black lives and livelihood everyday, while keeping public health in mind during the pandemic.
1. Uplift and prioritize Black voices, especially those of Black women: If you, like myself, are white, it’s crucial that we listen to Black voices and use our privilege to highlight them. We should make sure that we consume content and news in which Black voices are held in the spotlight. On social media, we should fill our timelines with Black women and focus on amplifying their ideas and work. Outside of cyberspace, this means listening to our Black friends and colleagues first and speaking second. It also means making sure Black voices are included in areas of our work where decisions are being made. We need to not only give Black women a seat at the table, but always make sure that they have a head seat at the table.
2. Support Black businesses and Black creatives: Instead of ordering those skincare products from a large corporation or buying that candle from Amazon, try looking for a Black-owned business online to buy them from. For practically any product, service, or food you can think of, there’s a Black-owned business that can provide it, many of which offer online or curbside service during COVID-19 times. The Twin Cities is home to Trio Plant-based, Black Garnet Books, Sammy’s Avenue Eatery, and a wide range of other Black-owned businesses to check out. There are also tons of talented Black creatives on social media. Whether you’re interested in artwork, clothing, music, or anything in-between, there are plenty of opportunities to support Black business and talent.
3. Educate yourself, while also working on unlearning: For most of us, the history curriculum we were fed in middle and high school is incredibly white-washed, inaccurate, and oppressive. It’s crucial that we do our own research to become more knowledgeable about systemic racism, knowledge which can and must come from learning from BIPOC speakers, authors, and educators. With this learning comes an element of necessary unlearning: undoing our implicit biases and “decolonizing our mind,” so to speak. In order to engage in anti-racism work, we need to examine the harmful implications of the way we were taught about the world.
4. Have important conversations: Call out your Uncle Steve when he makes a racist comment at the family dinner. Speak up to your friends when you catch them using microaggressions. Don’t let your classmates make ignorant statements under the guise of “playing the devil’s advocate.” We cannot pick and choose where we stand up for Black lives.
5. Financially supporting BIPOC in your community and beyond: While donating to organizations is helpful, it’s also important that we directly help BIPOC in need, and services like Venmo and Cashapp make it easy to do so. Keep an eye out for posts on social media about individuals who need financial support, and if you are able, send some money their way.
The last several months have challenged all of us to adapt to new ways of life, and for some, new ways of engaging in activism and anti-racist work. But if anything remains certain during these “uncertain times,” it’s the fact that we need to support, fight for, uplift, and protect Black lives every single day.