Black Lives Matter

I understand that I will never understand, but I stand with members of the Black community. 

We should all be outraged at the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. We should be even more outraged that systemic racism exists. 

Use your voice, your wallet, and your vote to be the change you want to see. 

Use Your Voice
Write your local government and ask them what they are doing to actively fight racism in both the community and within their walls. Below is the letter I wrote to both my city and its police department.

Hello:

As an Elmhurst resident, I am shocked by the behavior of our community at this time—including the number of both subtle and overtly racist posts on social media from members of this town.

I am thoroughly disappointed that Elmhurst has asked its citizens to move a protest to next week "in hopes that the broader criminal behavior that we are alerted to has subsided". The time to stand up against racism is now—not tomorrow, not in a week, not in a month.

Furthermore, I am disappointed that our leaders have yet to speak on the matter on social media to let the community know that Black lives matter or publicly shared what we, as a community, are currently doing to fight systemic racism. The fact that the Elmhurst Police Department has posted on Facebook about a space launch and has not said a word about racism speaks volumes.

What is the City of Elmhurst doing to eliminate racist behavior in the community? What type of policies are being changed to eliminate the systemic racism within the local government?

I am looking forward to your response.

Best,
Megan A. Dutta

You should also be contacting your representatives in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Not sure who they are or how to contact them? Click here to find your senators. Click here to find your representative.

​Click here to find your state representatives in Illinois. 

Share helpful messages and help people of color spread their messages on social media. Use your influence to be the change you want to see.

Use Your Wallet
Support Black-owned businesses. Support companies that actively seek diversity—those who speak out on the issue and practice what they preach. Donate to Black organizations.

Here are some of the organization I've donated to so far:

The Audre Lorde Project
The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans, and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. Through mobilization, education, and capacity-building, we work for community wellness and progressive social and economic justice. Committed to struggling across differences, we seek to responsibly reflect, represent, and serve our various communities.

Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity (BOLD)
BOLD (Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity) is a national training intermediary focused on transforming the practice of Black organizers in the U.S. to increase their alignment, impact, and sustainability to win progressive change. BOLD carries out its mission through training programs, coaching, and technical assistance for BOLD alumni and partners.

Black Visions Collective
Black Visions Collective (BLVC) believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems.

The Loveland Foundation
Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Our resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing. We are becoming the ones we’ve been waiting for.
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NAACP Legal Defense Fund
America's premier civil rights law organization fighting for racial justice through litigation, advocacy, and public education. Established in 1940.

Southerners on New Ground (SONG)
SONG envisions a sustainable South that embodies the best of its freedom traditions and works towards the transformation of our economic, social, spiritual, and political relationships. We envision a multi-issue southern justice movement that unites us across class, age, race, ability, gender, immigration status, and sexuality; a movement in which LGBTQ people—poor and working class, immigrant, people of color, rural—take our rightful place as leaders shaping our region’s legacy and future. We are committed to restoring a way of being that recognizes our collective humanity and dependence on the Earth.

Want more ideas for donations?
ACLU
​The Bail Project
Black Lives Matter
Justice Committee
​Reclaim the Block

Want even more suggestions?
Check out this article for more organizations that are seeking donations.

Use Your Vote
Vote in both local and national elections. Directly ask candidates what they are doing to actively discourage systematic racism. Show up on election day—your voice matters.

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