Racism is real. Let's dismantle it.
It is hard to see Minneapolis burning. It is much harder to see people surprised that generations of intentional and systemic racism would lead to this situation.
Redlining, overpolicing, mass incarceration, purging of voter rolls, gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and the theft of so much capital have led to the actions in Minneapolis today.
Unfortunately, the horrors of racism are not new to America.
We're all aware of slavery, genocide, Emmett Till, Rodney King, Abner Louima, Amadou Diallo, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Jonathan Ferrell, Philando Castile, and Walter Scott.
Today we have Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd.
We know thousands of Indigenous people are missing, were murdered, or have been incarcerated unjustly.
We’ve had hundreds of chances to reject the racism and bias that infects society’s including law enforcement. Now we have another chance to make important changes.
How? Here are a few actions you can take today through excellent organizations doing anti-racism work.
1. Support justice in Minneapolis. (Thanks to Montana Women Vote for these suggestions!)
Donate to provide bail funds so people of color in Minnesota don't languish in jail because they don't have cash for bail.
Sign a petition urging the County Attorney, Michael Freeman, to arrest and charge all four Minneapolis police officers involved in murdering George Floyd, immediately.
2. Support justice and anti-racism close to home.
Vote. The primaries are important, and you can still register, get a ballot, and drop off yours. Anti-government and pro-militia extremists are on the ballot in Montana, and we need to vote them out. If you're in Montana, instructions on voting are here.
Donate to The Montana Racial Equity Project. They are a Black-led organization doing amazing anti-racism work in Montana all year long.
Donate to All Nations Health Center, which provides essential holistic wellness resources to Native people in the Missoula area.
Donate to Love Lives Here and the Montana Human Rights Network. We are always working to bring communities together and reject white nationalism and discrimination.
Attend a community event in solidarity with George Floyd. There is one planned at Kalispell's Depot Park from 2-3pm today (Friday, May 29). Another event is planned at 5pm on Saturday, June 6, also at Kalispell's Depot Park. Please note that Love Lives Here did not organize these events, but we are in the process of creating our own very soon.
3. Dismantle your own biases and internalized racism.
Love Lives Here will be hosting an anti-racism book group soon. Until then, here's a great list of tools, action items, and books that can help you see how systemic racism has impacted your own life.
We're all feeling a sense of urgency to repair the ugliness of racial violence today. Our job is to continue the work of millions of people before us who knew that antiracism work never ends -- not after a troll storm or the death of an unarmed Black man in Minneapolis.
Please take action today and commit to educate yourself on ways your can address racism in your life. Love Lives Here is always here to help.
Top graphic from Afropunk