Today is the YWCA’s National 2020 Stand Against Racism Day. This year their theme is civic engagement, and they have put together a rich collection of actions you can take without leaving your home.
Our Civic Duty
Suppression of voting rights, dampening census completion, and hindering political participation for people of color are three ways institutional racism continues to foster racial inequality in our society. This inequality has become very apparent in the last few months during the coronovirus pandemic as people of color have borne the brunt of the work, the sickness, and the deaths.
Taking Action
We can’t let this continue. The YWCA offers many ways to address these issues even while we are confined to our homes. Try doing one or more of these today and everyday. Only when people come together and raise their voices together does change happen.
Supermajority: Text MAJORITY to 78737 to get our curated list of COVID-19 resources and calls to action
YWCA USA: Text SAR2020 to 1-855-471-6207 and tell your Member of Congress to Stand Against Racism in the next COVID-19 stimulus relief package here; Learn more about COVID-19 racial disparities from YWCA USA here
When We All Vote: Join the Gender Equity Voting Collaborative! Learn more at unitedstateofwomen.org/voting
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation: Participate in #COUNTMEBLACKWEEK happening April 27 – May 1
Voto Latino Foundation:Make sure the work continues, check out votolatino.org for more info!
The Leadership Conference: Get involved with Census Counts campaign and the And Still I Vote Campaign by texting CIVIL RIGHTS to 21333
National Domestic Workers Alliance: Call Congress and ask them to support the Essential Workers Bill of Rights: Call 855-300-3836.
League of Women Voters: Register to vote at VOTE411.ORG, the League’s nonprofit election site with all the election information you need,
United State of Women: Sign up for our biweekly newsletter the Feminist To-Do List here.
Related TPN Recommended Books
Learn More…Here are some books to read that address racism.
Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgements in Our Daily Life by Howard J. Ross Bias is deeply embedded into how our brain functions. This books explains why and addresses ways we can become aware of our biases.
40 Ways to Raise a Non-Racist Child by Barbara Matthias & Mary Ann French. This is a book for parents written by two parents, one black and one white. It provides wise advice for addressing issues surrounding race as one’s children learn and grow. The book is divided into age sections, starting with infancy and ends in high school. It provides numerous examples and ways parents can react.
“Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack“ by Peggy MacIntosh This short article provides a list of soul-searching questions that demonstrate in clear, reasonable ways white people are privileged over others. It is an excellent tool to use in high school, college, and with adults groups.
2020 Stand Against Racism Tele-Conference.
Take a few minutes to learn more about the ways to fight racism through civic engagement.
Which of these activities will you participate in?
We welcome your thoughts and comments.
