To ask how you are supporting BLM?

[JFSB]

I have asked this question on a few threads now but I've yet to get an answer so here I am.

AIBU to question those who claim to support the BLM movement but instead spend more time discussing protesting at this time than actually supporting the movement?

A virtual protest to took place on Sunday evening as part of the Black Lives Matter movement, on the fifth anniversary of the burial of Sheku Bayoh.
The move came after Mr Bayoh’s sister, Kadi Johnston, who is a staff nurse, urged people to protest digitally due to the pandemic.

However getting the news of this virtual protest out there was difficult because instead it seems many people would rather argue about what went wrong at the protests in public that did take place.

I keep reading you support the cause and peaceful protests but what are you actually doing to support the cause and peaceful protest?

//www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/sister-death-custody-victim-sheku-22139467

For those who missed it

[CountryGirlAddCoffee]

As an adult, I have employed as many white people as black people and people of colour: right now my company is 50/50.
I call out racism when I see or hear it; in any part of my personal or professional life.
I support BLM because they do and it goes without saying.
I can do more and I will do my own research but I thank those on this thread who have provided information to assist me.
I don't need anyone to educate me, but we all learn from others so let's not use this forum to criticise each other and instead let's highlight the fantastic information and advice provided so we can ALL do better.

[StrictlyAFemaleFemale]

I donated to the minnesota bail fund and I bought the good immigrant which Im now reading. I shared a good podcast on facebook (throughline - american police). Im trying not to virtue signal so havent posted much but have been lurking and reading.

[AddressLabel]

I’m obviously not being a racist twat, and if I see anything racist I’ll call it out. I’ve been following the news to a point and read the odd article. Other than that? I’m sitting on my fat white privileged arse doing nothing.

[isitfridayyet1]

Benign more aware of calling out racism and not ignoring it.
Watching films such as the 13th, When they See Us and the recent bbc drama about the windrush scandal.

As well as writing to my MP and donating to charities that support black people.

[JFSB]

@BlackKite there have been some excellent solutions on what you can do on this thread if you’d like to.

[JFSB]

I do see what you are saying @Livelovebehappy, this is a very difficult time for many and I have had discussions with some people who feel their efforts to educate themselves has really taken a toll on their mental health that has already taken a beating recently however challenging racism does not equal virtue signalling.

[BlackKite]

Honestly, nothing. Like most people (I assume), I'm not an active campaigner, and while I support the campaign, I don't know what to do practically.

[Livelovebehappy]

By treating everyone with equal respect whether rich, poor, black, white, disabled, able bodied, male or female, just as I’ve always done. I don’t need to virtue signal, and I don’t have to make myself responsible for the actions of others. I think a lot of us are just trying to keep sane at the moment WFH, homeschooling, social distancing, worrying about our jobs and just trying to keep well mentally and physically - I really don’t have the time, strength or energy to add something else to focus on at the moment.

[TakeMe2Insanity]

I’m sat in my house, still hardly out. I live in a diverse part of London but I’ve stuck a BLM poster in my front door area next to my rainbows. It’s there it’s visible and even if I’m not going out people can see it.

[Cheeeeesecaaaaakkkeeee]

Donated and signed a lot of petitions. Haven’t protested though.

[CherrySpritz]

@GreytExpectations

I don’t feel the need for a pat on the back?
That's not what is being said at all, nor do I feel the need for that either but nice snide dig there. Maybe by sharing what you and others do then people who want to help but don't know how can get ideas? After all that's what the OP seems about.

Nice snide dig. A bit like your ‘so nothing then’.

[GreytExpectations]

I don’t feel the need for a pat on the back?
That's not what is being said at all, nor do I feel the need for that either but nice snide dig there. Maybe by sharing what you and others do then people who want to help but don't know how can get ideas? After all that's what the OP seems about.

[VaTeLaverLesMains]

I read about micro aggressions and have listened to many black voices on the discussions about BLM online and on tv/radio. I watched some programs about Bristol and the slave trade with my girls (A house through time). I live in a very white area and am conscious that I have no clue about what it's like to be black in Britain. I will call out racism if I see it in real life or online.

I haven't been on a demo, I'm shielding and wouldn't be helping anyone if I did.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

It makes as much sense as any other personal choice!

I DO give my time, put myself out, actually do shit. I don't understand why you don't think that's enough and would prefer I spent a couple of minutes clicking something.

I don't do online petitions as I am not convinced they are effective. So I do what I do, which has an immediate benefit to those in need.

What do you do?

That's anyone, not a specific poster!

[CherrySpritz]

So nothing then.

GreytExpectations. As I said, I don’t feel the need to broadcast nor justify what I do. Why would you immediately jump to the conclusion that I do nothing because I don’t feel the need for a pat on the back?

[JFSB]

I'm sorry @CherrySpritz, you appear to have misunderstood. You airing your business is not compulsory nor is the need to be seen doing anything. HTH

[GreytExpectations]

@CherrySpritz

What I do is my business. I don’t feel the need to be seen to be doing it, nor will I be harangued into broadcasting what I do by randoms on a website.

So nothing then.

[CherrySpritz]

What I do is my business. I don’t feel the need to be seen to be doing it, nor will I be harangued into broadcasting what I do by randoms on a website.

[GreytExpectations]

@CuriousaboutSamphire

I have no idea now.

I thought I was doing my bit, not directly BLM/BAME but inclusive nonetheless.

Maybe it's being seen to do something, so sign petitions, get facebook etc, go on protests!

You don't have to seen at all. Signing online petitions can be anonymous, I certainly don't shout on my social media about it but I do share educational resources on social media that will benefit by educating others.

[GreytExpectations]

[quote CuriousaboutSamphire]@greyt possibly for the same reasons others don't work nights in a homeless shelter. Not my thing![/quote]
That analogy makes no sense at all.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

@greyt possibly for the same reasons others don't work nights in a homeless shelter. Not my thing!

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

I have no idea now.

I thought I was doing my bit, not directly BLM/BAME but inclusive nonetheless.

Maybe it's being seen to do something, so sign petitions, get facebook etc, go on protests!

[GreytExpectations]

I don't do online petitions. I just don't

What is the reason you justify not doing something completly free to help a good cause such as equal human rights?

I don't do much social media, so a black square is pointless for me.

The black box is not the only thing people do on social media ffs. It's a great tool for sharing resources and educating.

[user8558]

I'm not asking for a quick fix. Surely that's what the "donate" button is for?

But these protests are bad optics because you don't have clear demands.

Most people agree that black lives matter.

Nobody I know is racist. Or has revealed racism to me. I think people have great sympathy for the cause.

What else can we do, practically speaking.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

It's only appalling if you haven't already done some of them. I don't expect you to put that post together with my previous ones, but they do add context to it.

I don't donate money. I donate my time in a local charity

I don't do online petitions. I just don't

I don't do much social media, so a black square is pointless for me.

I do listen, am educated in most issues and do challenge all sorts of inequity as it happens

So nothing on the Google list offers me much that fits me, my life!