The fight for civil liberties for all persons is far from over. Racially motivated tension and violence still permeate our society. It is so easy to fall into the trap of feeling too insignificant, insecure, and helpless to work toward equality. Something I have specifically struggled with is knowing when and how to appropriately step in and help. Racially motivated conflict is uncomfortable. It is disgustingly easy to dismiss as a non-issue unless you are directly affected. The truth is racism is an issue for humanity as a whole unit to address. There needs to be a give and take of all people to educate against ignorance and aid victims of racism. How do we accomplish that? How can I, as someone not a personal victim of racism, become an ally to combat it?

Recognize your experience as different from other's experience

Even without race, gender, or anything else that may distinguish us from one another, we will all have different life stories. You cannot truly empathize with, justify, or "figure out" another individual's actions, feelings, or emotions unless you have lived their life. Everyone has different experiences in life. None more valid than the other, just different. Therefore we should recognize those diverging stories and celebrate the deviance between them. My story can never be the same as someone else's therefore I cannot hope to fully understand the world as someone else would. All in all, I encourage you to first celebrate the diversity of humanity.

Educate yourself

Read up on history. Research history in the making. Stay knowledgeable on the issues that influence racism in our culture. Remain open and aware to the importance of sensitivity and life-long learning.

Refuse to entertain an environment of discrimination

Don't ignore racism; stand up for the equality of all people. Educate against ignorance.

Know your limits

Recently one of my friends paraphrased a slam poetry duo saying, "If everyone speaks for everyone else, no one is heard." I find so much validity in this statement. Hearkening back to living within my own life experience, I cannot truly speak for victims of anti-Black racism. It is not my place to speak foranyone. I can, however, elevate the voices of those who need to be heard.

After hearing the slam poem paraphrased earlier, it would be a disservice not to share it. The pair, Darius Simpson and Scout Bostley, have created a phenomenal, real expression of the statement "the problem with speaking up for each other, is that everyone is left without a voice." Please, do yourself a favor, and take the time to listen to it. Lost Voices by Darius Simpson and Scout Bostley

Acknowledge the importance of movements like #BlackLivesMatter

The closest thing I can compare this to within my own experience is feminism. So many people have pulled back against the label of "feminism" arguing that it cannot be for the equality of the sexes if the title only mentions one sex. Many people assert that feminism is not beneficial to both genders because it is only a women's movement. In reality, feminism is about making femininity celebrated and equally respected as masculinity. Feminism uplifts the sex that has historically been considered the "lesser sex".

There has been much debate over the label Black Lives Matter as well. Many people argue that "all lives matter". That argument is absolutely valid in a perfect world, but as long as we have senseless, racist violence that argument cannot be made. The Black Lives Matter movement brings issues that we need to deal with to the forefront so the statement "all lives matter" can be true throughout the world.

Black Lives Matter is a unique contribution that goes beyond extrajudicial killings of Black people by police and vigilantes. It goes beyond the narrow nationalism that can be prevalent within some Black communities, which merely call on Black people to love Black, live Black and buy Black, keeping straight cis Black men in the front of the movement while our sisters, queer and trans and disabled folk take up roles in the background or not at all. Black Lives Matter affirms the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks,Black-undocumented folks, folks with records, women and all Black lives along the gender spectrum. It centers those that have been marginalized within Black liberation movements. It is a tactic to (re)build the Black liberation movement. - Black Lives Matter, About Us

We are unapologetically Black in our positioning. In affirming that Black Lives Matter, we need not qualify our position. To love and desire freedom and justice for ourselves is a necessary prerequisite for wanting the same for others. -Black Lives Matter, Principles

Work toward and pray for love

Embrace peaceful protest and positive change. Contact local and federal government to see how they are handling prosecution of police brutality and protection of citizens of color. Help mourning families deal with financial burdens. Pray for love and healing.