What can yogis do to support Black Lives Matter? If participating in the street protests with other activists is not available for you, there is still something you can do to support the Black Lives Matter movement. People are outraged at the injustice of George Floyd’s death and so many other people of color under police brutality. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis by a police officer who pressed his knee down on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes.
Illustration above is by Quentin Monge
Here is a list of actions you can take to stand against violence and racial discrimination:
Sign Petitions
Show support by adding your name to petitions. This helps bring pressure to the government and stakeholders to take appropriate action. It only takes minutes but it helps in making an impact and demanding change.
Donate
Yoga instructors and studio owners can hold donation classes and give proceeds to fund the organizations below. If you don’t have the means to raise funds through donation classes, you can give still support the Black Lives Matter with any amount that you can spare.
- Black Lives Matter
- Black Visions Collective
- Reclaim the Block
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund
- Minnesota Freedom Fund
- Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
- American Civil Liberties Union
Learn
There is a lot to learn when it comes to racial discrimination. People who are not black or part of any minority groups may never fully comprehend what this experience is like. By actively educating ourselves and learning about the stories of our brothers and sisters, we can at least begin to understand their struggle and feel compassion to do more, give more, speak up more and build better communities that focus on equality and inclusion.
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Narrative of the Life and Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
Engage and Empathize
It is not enough to be silent. It is not enough to not be racist, we have to be actively involved in creating a more harmonious world, one that thrives in equality and one that celebrates our differences so we can rise together. We have to lift each other up and lend a hand to those who are underprivileged. Engage in the conversation. Post messages in your social networks that encourage activism, diversity, racial equality and non-discrimination. Come from a place of support and service.
Black Lives Matter is Not a Trend
This is a time for introspection. Think about your own prejudices. How do you respond in the face of discrimination? Think about the bystanders and the other police officers that were around George Floyd right before he lost his life. How can we apply the lessons learned here so that this movement continues on as part of our daily lives rather than just a trending topic?
Educate the Youth
If you’ve got kids, think of ways to educate them in diversity and inclusion. Consider how your own behaviors may impact their values. Engage them in conversations and foster a home environment that does not tolerate discrimination and behaviors other than those that promote fairness, peace, love and equality.