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Politics and Activism

Ways Those With Disabilities Can Contribute To The Black Lives Matter Movement

There's more to do than just protesting

Anna Madura

Jun 03, 2020

Missouri State University

Ways Those With Disabilities Can Contribute To The Black Lives Matter Movement

https://pixabay.com/photos/wheelchair-disability-injured-749985/

It can be incredibly frustrating to be disabled during such a state of unrest in this country. Many wish that they were able to get involved with and positively contribute to the Black Lives Matter movement. It's easy to think that the only way you can contribute is through protesting. However, many of us may be unable to protest whether it be due to lack of wheelchair access, avoiding crowds because of a suppressed immune system, post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety that could be could be exacerbated by the loud noises and possible police presence, etc. The disabled community shouldn't be ashamed of that and we shouldn't allow others to shame for it. There are still plenty of ways that those with disabilities can positively contribute to the Black Lives Matter movement without compromising their own health or well-being.

Donate

If you are in a place financially where you are able to donate I urge you to. You will be making a difference no matter how much money you are able to donate. A few places you could donate would be George Floyd's family GoFundMe page that was made by his brother to help with funeral expenses and such, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, the ACLU and the ACLU of Minnesota, etc.

Watch donation videos

If you are unable to contribute financially then consider taking the time to watch donation videos on YouTube. When you stream these videos 100% of the ad revenue will be donated directly to organizations such as the NAACP. Most of these videos are entertaining and feature various art forms presented by black artists. If anything, just mute the video and let it play all the way through.

Educate yourself

As people with disabilities, we tend to understand oppression and inequality better than others because we have personally experienced it some point. However, we cannot allow ourselves to think that oppression the disabled community faces is in anyway comparable to what the black community faces. We must hold ourselves accountable and take action by educating ourselves on the struggles the community faces that we may have never thought about. Consider reading books such as "So You Want To Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo, "They Can't Kill Us All" by Wesley Lowery, "Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race" by Renni Eddo-Lodge, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander. Watch shows such as "When They See Us" on Netflix which tells the story of the Central Park Five, "Dear White People" also on Netflix, or the Netflix documentary "13th" which teaches about the U.S. Justice System through the lens of the 13th amendment.

Sign Petitions

The point of petitions is educate and recruit others for a particular cause. There is a large array of petitions to choose from but consider starting by signing Raise the Degree, Arrest The Other Three, #JusticeforBre, and Justice for Ahmaud Arbery.

Make signs, masks, etc. for the protesters

If you are crafty consider contacting the protest organizers and ask if you could make and donate signs to carry during the protests. If you are able you could also make masks for protesters to wear to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Just because people are out protesting doesn't mean that the virus has disappeared and that the global pandemic is over. If you live in a larger city with larger protests please consider donating milk, water, or medical supplies for the protesters as well.

Drive by and show your support

Even if you are unable to personally attend the protests you could still show support and solidarity with the protesters by driving by and honking to show support or parking near the protest with signs.

Support local black owned businesses

By supporting local black owned businesses you are helping to close the racial wealth gap, celebrate black culture and communities, strengthening local economies, creating new jobs for the community, and holding other companies accountable during these times.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Ways Those With Disabilities Can Contribute To The Black Lives Matter Movement

There's more to do than just protesting

Donate

Watch donation videos

Educate yourself

Sign Petitions

Make signs, masks, etc. for the protesters

Drive by and show your support

Support local black owned businesses

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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