Social Justice Resources

## Black Lives Matter Solidarity Resources

### Introduction

This guide is intended to provide resources to those in solidarity with the mass protests in response to police brutality against Black Americans, currently centered around the murders by police of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Tony McDade. **This guide assumes a commitment to the statement that Black Lives Matter**--*this is not up for debate.*

A wealth of information, resources, and calls-to-action have been swirling on social media platforms, and this guide is intended to document and organize that information for future consultation. Recent history has demonstrated that informal information networks (such as social media) can better serve the needs for dissemination and amplification of activist voices than traditional news networks. As such, consideration is imperative (as it always is) in analyzing and contextualizing these resources.

This guide has been compiled by William with contributions from the librarians and CEI, and will be updated regularly as conditions change; if you have suggestions, edits, or questions, please direct them to wmchenry@simons-rock.edu.

## Self-Education

Below you will find reading lists, viewing lists, articles, Tweet threads, and reflection questions to assist in your own consciousness-raising around racism, white supremacy, police violence, and activist tactics. Interrogating our inherent biases and unlearning internalized white supremacy takes time, effort, discomfort, and resolve--some of the information below may be challenging, difficult, or provocative. This work is never-ending and you do not get a reward.

* @blackatbard Instagram profile Black Bard students, faculty, and staff voice concerns

**Reading Lists, Viewing Lists and Syllabi**

* "Justice in June," (Google Doc) Reading list with weekly syllabi and reflection questions!
* Ibram X. Kendi, "An Antiracist Reading List," New York Times
* Johnny Diamond, "Readings on Racism, White Supremacy, and Police Violence in America," Literary Hub
* Jessie Gaynor, Free downloadable books on police violence, Literary Hub

**History of Racial Violence and Police Violence in America**

* Sean Collins, "The anger behind the protests, explained in 4 charts," Vox
* Ursula Wolfe-Rocca, "The Red Summer of 1919, Explained," Teen Vogue
* Shammara Lawrence, "Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, Explained," Teen Vogue
* Wesley Lowery, "Why Minneapolis Was The Breaking Point," The Atlantic
* Mapping Police Violence

**Police Abolition and Decarceration**

* Democracy Now! interview with Angela Davis on Uprising and Abolition
* Mariame Kaba, "Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police," New York Times
* Critical Resistance, "Reformist reforms vs. abolitionist steps in policing
* Alex Vitale, "The Only Solution is to Defund the Police," The Nation
* Edward Ongweso Jr., "‘Defund the Police’ Actually Means Defunding the Police," Vice News
* "Prison Abolition and Alternatives to Incarceration Starter Resources," (Google Doc)
* @mpd\_150, "Building a Police-Free Future: FAQ"
* @jenerous, "Wondering what a future without police looks like?"
* @ragingblacktivists, "What's Wrong With Police"
* CrimethInc., "What Will It Take to Stop the Police from Killing?" **By Any Means Necessary: Rioting, Social Media and Diversity of Tactics**
* Aren Aizura, "A Mask and a Target Cart: Minneapolis Riots," The New Inquiry
* Vicky Osterweil, "In Defense of Looting," The New Inquiry
* Zoe Samudzi, "Stealing Away In America," Jewish Currents
* Kimberly Jones, "How Can We Win," (YouTube video)
* Jake Offenhartz, "Meet the 'Outside Agitator' Whose Bronx March Was Violently Cracked Down On By the NYPD," gothamist
* Taraneh Azar, "In the Fight to Defund, Social Media is the Mobilizer," Northeastern University Political Review
* @docangieluv, Evaluating institutional responses to protest thread
* Democracy Now! interview with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Cornel West, Bakari Sellers, and statement from Tamika Mallory
* Jenn M. Jackson, "Martin Luther King, Jr. Was More Radical Than We Remember," Teen Vogue **Environmental Racism and Climate Change**
	+ Somini Sengupta, "Read Up on the Links Between Racism and Climate Change," The New York Times
	+ Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, "Racism derails our attempts to fight the climate crisis," Washington Post
	+ K Agbebiyi, "Redistribution and World Building," The New Inquiry

### Resource Guides

The links below will lead you to resource guides developed by anti-racist activists, and each includes reading lists, action items, directories, etc. These are included here to consolidate all of the labor of these activists, and to provide information for those who would like to go deeper.

* #GeorgeFloyd Resource Compilation (Google Doc)
* "Natl Resource List #GeorgeFloyd+" (Google Sheet)
* Resources & tools regarding racism & anti/blackness: how to be a better ally (Google Sheet)
* Melanie Santos, "Showing up for Racial Justice, Dismantling Racism, and Embracing Allyship
* "Anti-racism resources" (Google Doc)
* Anti-racism packet (Google Doc)
* Thom Waite, "A running list of anti-racism resources"
* "Shareable anti-racism resource guide" (Google Doc)
* Recursos antirracistas en español

### Solidarity Action Items

This section contains solidarity action items that go beyond basic performative allyship. Listen to calls-to-action from Black activists and organizers, and be prepared to be "called in" and course-correct. Action takes courage and the humility to acknowledge missteps.

While sharing information may assist in consciousness-raising, think twice before (re)posting images or video of violence against Black people, as this can be triggering and voyeuristic.

* Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, "How do we change America?," The New Yorker
* Interview with Ijeoma Oluo, "How to join the conversation on race," Vox
* Zyahna Bryant, "Beyond the Hashtag: How to Take Anti-Racist Action in Your Life," Teen Vogue
* @mireillecharper, "10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship"
* Black Lives Matter Ally Research (Google Doc) Includes links to petitions
* Petitions that haven't met their goal
* Defund 12 automated email database Email government officials and council members to reallocate egregious police budgets towards education, social services, and dismantling racial injustice via this crowd-sourced tool.
* Brittney Williams & Samantha Rushworth, "Form letter to hold your academic institution accountable"

**Resources for Non-Black Allies/Accomplices/Co-Conspirators/Comrades**

* @wherechangestarted, "The Four Stages of Becoming Antiracist"
* Corinne Shutack, "75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice," Medium
* @patiasfantasyworld, White 2 White Conversation Topics thread
* Showing Up for Racial Justice, "5 Ways White People Can Take Action in Response to White and State-Sanctioned Violence," Medium
* GovTrack Insider, "Here are three bills introduced in the week after nationwide police accountability protests began," Medium

### Directories of Bail Funds, Non-Profit Orgs, and Mutual Aid Networks

Here you will find directories of bail funds, Black-run organizations, Black-owned businesses, and mutual aid networks. These are listed here to help you determine how to best leverage any material privilege you may have.

* "Natl Resource List #GeorgeFloyd+" (Google Doc)
* Fundraising/Bail/Petition/Trans Resource Doc (Google Sheet)
* Fund directory (Google Sheet)
* National Bail Fund Network
* Bail Funds/Legal Help by City (Google Doc)
* Corinne Segal, Black-owned bookstores list When shopping for books on your new reading list!
* @itheabstract, Hudson Valley Black Owned Businesses thread For those still in the greater Berkshires area
* @aidanwharton, Black Queer & Trans Organizations to Support thread
* @maketheirpocketshurtla, "Apps to locate Black-owned businesses near you" (Instagram thread)
* @metrowest\_harmreduction, "Massachusetts Alternatives to 911" (Instagram thread)

### Protest Safety

Here you will find resources and considerations for protesting in person. Utilizing our bodies in protest is both a material and symbolic act of solidarity. However, physically protesting is not always an accessible option, especially now with the spread of the coronavirus; you may wish to consider other methods of demonstrating solidarity while maintaining your health.

As you will have noticed from the news, many protests have flared into violence and police suppression. Understand that this is always a possibility when engaging in public demonstration, and trust your gut--weigh your commitment to demonstrate against your personal sense of safety. There *will* be more demonstrations in the future.

* Live protest listings/updates by state
* American Civil Liberties Union, Protestor's Rights

* Kandist Mallett, "What To Know Before Heading to a Protest," TeenvVogue
* @fridacashflow, "How to Dress Safely for a Protest" Instagram video
* Palika Makam, "How to Safely and Ethically Film Police Misconduct," Teen Vogue
* @pizzalawyer420, "Tips on how to avoid metadata + facial recognition in protest pics" thread
* From Beirut to Minneapolis: A protest guide in solidarity
* @bufu\_byusforus, "Revolution & Us: A Pocket Guide to Direct Action"
* @strengthcenteredspeec, Disability-inclusive protest guide thread

Mental Health and Resilience

* Project LETS, Inc., "Protest, Trauma, Crisis Resource Guide"
	+ De-escalation techniques and psychological first-aid
* Micalah Webster, MSW/MHSA, "Resources For Black Healing"
* @grieftips, "A Guide to Supporting Grieving Black Communities"
* @fiveboi, Resource overload guide thread
* @vahinishori, Preventing Burnout thread
* @margeaux.feldman, "For White Folks: Some Thoughts on Unlearning & What to do When Shame Comes Up"
* Mental Health & Wellness Resources (Google Doc)

## Introduction

One in four Americans has a disability (according to the CDC), and about 15% of the world population -- over one billion people -- have a disability (according to the World Health Organization, although this data is a decade old). Additionally, disability is something that almost everyone will experience at some point in their life: whether it is a physical injury, long-term ailment or chronic illness, or age-related decline in function. It is a marginalized identity that intersects with every other.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as “as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.” This is a legal definition, and is different from how disability may be defined in other contexts or places.

This resource guide is meant to introduce readers to the concept of disability as well as to provide resources for those with disabilities. It was created by the librarians in collaboration with the Council of Equity and Inclusion. If you have suggestions, comments, or concerns, please send them to kmcguire@simons-rock.edu.

### Language/Terms

Ableism = discrimination in favor of able-bodied people.

Identity-first vs person-first language

* Identity-first - "autistic person"
* Person-first - "person with autism"

Image from "‘Autistic person’ or ‘person with autism’: Is there a right way to identify people?"

* I am Disabled: On Identity-First Versus People-First Language
* Identity-first vs. person-first language is an important distinction
* The Significance of Semantics: Person-First Language: Why It Matters
* To Ensure Inclusion, Freedom, and Respect for All, It's Time to Embrace People First Language
* Why I dislike “person first” language

Image courtesy of @kaekaecurtis

Read the original Spoon Theory story by Christine Miserando

### Medical Model of Disability

The medical model of disability focuses on the medical aspects of a disability and seeks to "cure" a person of their disability so that they can return as closely as possible to a able-bodied state. In the past and even today, this is a common way that people think about disability. The problem is contained in the individual who has the disability instead of the problem being with the environment around them. A disability's solution is by medical professionals who can cure the effect of a disability with things like prosthetics, surgeries, and medications. The rehabilitative model is closely related to the medical model. It focuses on the belief that belief that if the person with a disability makes an effort and works with rehabilitative services, they can overcome their disability.

This model is criticized by many people who are disabled and disability studies researchers and advocates because of its narrow view of the full lives that people lead despite and because of their disability. Many people who are disabled feel that their disability is not something to be cured, but an integral part of their identity. The medical model is often critiqued by the social model of disability. The image below illustrates the two different models.

Content courtesy of Illinois University Library Disability Theory LibGuide

### Social Model of Disability

The social model of disability posits that disability is constructed by society and is caused by the way society is organized. Our society is made by and for non-disabled people and anyone who cannot fit in to that model is disabled. This model is supported by a considerable amount of writers who themselves are disabled. The social model emphasizes the fact that full societal participation has little to do with the abilities of a person who is disabled, but the societal constructs that prohibit them from inclusion. This model is often a critique to the medical model of disability.

The independent living model of disability is similar to the social model of disability. Its focus is more specific to advocating for the independence of people who are disabled. People with disabilities are their own experts on their needs and what services they require.

Content courtesy of Illinois University Library Disability Theory LibGuide

### Be an Ally

* 10 Ways YOU can be a Disability Ally
* BuzzFeed: 8 Ways To Be An Ally To The Disability Community
* Diversity Includes Disability: Be an Ally (Cornell University)
* How to be an ally for disabled friends (Perkins School for the Blind)
* Mashable: 6 ways to be a better ally to people living with disabilities

#### Ways to make your digital content more accessible:

* Use Camel case to make your hashtags more legible (#ThanksToTheADA instead of #thankstotheada)
* Use high contrast colors for text and graphics (test it using WebAim's color contrast checker)
* Use a dyslexic-friendly font (some examples can be found here, and the British Dyslexia Association has other style/formatting suggestions)
* Include image descriptions and/or alt text for visual content (How to Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions for the Visually Impaired)
* Provide subtitles (dialogue provided in text form) and/or closed captioning (dialogue and a written description of the other sounds happening) for all recorded video content, and live transcription for virtual events in real time

### Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month in honor of the signing of the ADA. It is now recognized internationally by the disability community, and is celebrated in the U.S. with pride parades.

**The Black Field**: A color of mourning; for those who have suffered from ableist violence, and also rebellion and protest.

**The Zigzag/Lightning Bolt:** How disabled people must navigate barriers, and the creativity in doing so; breaking free from normative authority and body control

**The Five Colors:** The variety of needs and experiences (Mental Illness, Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Invisible and Undiagnosed Disabilities, Physical Disability, and Sensory Disabilities)

**The Parallel Stripes:** Solidarity within the Disability Community and all its differences.

The disability pride flag was designed by Ann Magill, who has waived all copyright.

Explanation of the disability pride flag from QI Creative.

* Forbes: 5 Questions To Think About This #DisabilityPrideMonth
* Psychology Today: Disability Pride Month: Disability Is Broader Than You Think
* USA Today: A chance to 'amplify one another': What is Disability Pride Month?

### History

* The 30th Anniversary of the ADA
* Disability & Employment: A Timeline
* Disability History Museum
* Disability History Timeline: Resource and Discussion Guide
* The History of the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Movement Perspective
* The Horrifying American Roots of Nazi Eugenics
* Museum of disABILITY History
* Society for Disability Studies
* Timeline of Disability Rights in the United States
* United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: People with Disabilities

### Invisible Disabilties and Mental Health

Definition from the Invisible Disability Project:

An “invisible,” “non-visible,” “hidden,” “non-apparent,” or "unseen" disability is any physical, mental, or emotional impairment that goes largely unnoticed. An invisible disability can include, but is not limited to: cognitive impairment and brain injury; the autism spectrum; chronic illnesses like multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia; d/Deaf and/or hard of hearing; blindness and/or low vision; anxiety, depression, PTSD, and many more. We understand the body as always changing, so disability and chronic illness may be unstable or periodic throughout one’s life.

* Invisible Disabilities Association
* Did You Know? Invisible Disabilities
* Understanding invisible disabilities in the workplace

https://www.npr.org/2015/03/08/391517412/people-with-invisible-disabilities-fight-for-understanding

### Advocacy

https://www.ted.com/talks/stella\_young\_i\_m\_not\_your\_inspiration\_thank\_you\_very\_much

* Advocacy Groups for People with Disabilities
* National Center on Disability and Journalism: Organizations
* Rooted in Rights

### Disability and COVID-19

Disability and Covid-19 intersect in a variety of ways. People with disabilities can be both more vulnerable to catching SARS-CoV-2 and more likely to experience worse and/or long-term effects because of negative interactions with pre-existing conditions. In addition, the global shutdown made life both more and less accessible for people with disabilities. On the one hand, virtual and remote events, telehealth, grocery delivery, and work from home all created more opportunities for access and societal involvement than many people had before. On the other hand, people with disabilities continue to be vulnerable, and as these temporary measures go away in a push towards a “return to normal,” opportunities for people with disabilities unnecessarily diminish.

* Count the cost of disability caused by COVID-19
* COVID-19 Response: Disability Community
* Deadly Discrimination: The Forgotten Impact Of Covid-19 On People With Disabilities
* Massachusetts General Hospital: COVID-19's Impact on People with Disabilities
* The terrible toll of COVID-19 on people with intellectual disabilities
* Triple jeopardy: disabled people and the COVID-19 pandemic (The Lancet)
* When Does COVID-19 Become A Disability? 'Long-Haulers' Push For Answers And Benefits
* Americans with disabilities in the workforce disproportionately affected by COVID-19

## Introduction

Juneteenth (a portmanteau of June + nineteenth) commemorates the date - June 19, 1865 - when freedom from enslavement was proclaimed in Texas, almost two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, 71 days after the end of the Civil War, and almost six months before the 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery throughout the United States on December 6, 1865. Celebrations of Juneteenth date to 1866 in Galveston, Texas and spread across the South in the 1920s and '30s, often involving food festivals, and spreading nationwide by the 1970s. Juneteenth was made a national holiday in 2021. Celebrations are usually local observations involving readings, voter registration drives, picnics and cookouts, music festivals, and more. Juneteenth has also come to be a day that emphasizes education about African-American heritage, history, arts, and traditions.

This collection of resources has been compiled cooperatively by the librarians with contributions from CEI. It is intended to represent a range of relevant resources, but there are many other options and opportunities. If you have suggestions, edits, or questions, please direct them to [LibGuide|library@simons-rock.edu].

## History and Significance

* What is Juneteenth?
* So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth?
* This is How We Juneteenth
* The Black American Holiday Everyone Should Celebrate but Doesn’t
* What we’re getting wrong about Juneteenth
* The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
* The History Of Juneteenth [Fresh Air audio recording]
* The Quintessential Americanness of Juneteenth
* Juneteenth Reminds Us that the Fight for True Liberty Continues
* The Birth of Juneteenth; Voices of the Enslaved

## For Allies

* 10 Things We Want White People to Do to Celebrate Juneteenth
* 3 things we can do as BIPOC allies to celebrate Juneteenth
* How to Observe Juneteenth By Donating to Organizations Fighting for Racial Justice
* How companies and individuals can use Juneteenth to practice active allyship

## Juneteenth and Pride

* 7 black LGBTQ leaders in honor of Juneteenth and Pride month
* Black & Queer: What It Means To Celebrate Juneteenth And Pride In The Same Month
* Celebrating Queer Black Pride On Juneteenth
* Juneteenth and Black Queer & Trans Futures: A Reflection [online event]

## Online Events

* Juneteenth LIVE!
* Juneteenth Celebration
* Juneteenth NY
* Teaching Lincoln's Evolving Views on Race | Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
* Juneteenth Community Celebration
* The Amistad Center for Art & Culture's 2021 Virtual Juneteenth Celebration
* Where to find Juneteenth events, on and around June 19, in the greater Los Angeles area [including online]
* Unmasked: A Theatrical Celebration of Black Women's Liberation
* Juneteenth and Black Queer & Trans Futures: A Reflection
* Atlanta History Center Juneteenth Events

## In Person Events by City

* Juneteenth in the Great Barrington Area
* Juneteenth in Albany
* Juneteenth in Hartford
* Juneteenth in West Hartford
* Juneteenth in Boston
* Juneteenth in New York City
* Juneteenth in Philadelphia
* Juneteenth in Washington, D.C.
* Juneteenth in Pittsburgh
* Juneteenth in Galveston

...or look for events in your area!