“Justice is what love looks like in public.”
After the 2020 CCRE Bridging the Gap Conference, Our Country ‘Tis of Thee?, participants were asked to identify at least one action they will take to work towards ending racism. We hope that you will read these action item ideas and find some that you can do to work towards an anti-racist culture.
“Educating myself via the many wonderful books about race. I’m reading The Warmth of Other Suns now. My next book will be Eddie Glaude, Jr.’s book Begin Again.”
“put up a biden sign beside my BLM sign, try engaging more with other, speak out”
“Continue to read, research & be prepared to discuss facts/figures in conversations about current events/rascism in America. ”
“Personally and Professionally being clear about my position of racial justice in Carroll County. ”
“Vote! Speak up.Take more risks.”
“Call BS more often”
“Understand more about how to be a genuine ally and be more intentional about expressing that support in relationships. Speak up when something of a racist nature is being shared by another. Continue to read some of the many fine resources suggested. Donate to causes supporting antiracist actions.”
“Participate in Postcards for Voters project”
“Sign petitions, attend marches and protests, engage in dialogue, and educate myself and others”
“Continue to educate myself and do the work before I ask a person of color to explain or help me with understanding something - Keeping in mind how different that approach can look.”
Anonymous Responses:
“Continue to listen and learn.”
“Seeking out dialogue”
“lead by example; non-violent advocacy; continue to learn and read; help those that I can .... LISTEN”
“Continue to broaden my awareness and spread this awareness to others about working toward ending racism.”
“Hold myself and other white folks accountable for the racism that lives inside us and in the systems built to sustain white supremacy and power. Every day.”
“Hold courageous conversations in my place of work.”
“I plan to vote and encourage those around me to vote. I have also been in conversations in my work place to help in identifying racism as a public health emergency.“
“Cleaning up my own microaggressions.”
“Donate a portion of my next paycheck to the NAACP legal defense fund.”
“I'm raising two white sons in Carroll County. I want them to grow into men that will help end racism. That's my action item. They are 9 and 4 and we've started having the difficult discussions with them about race and particularly about racism in Carroll County. I have a smart, beautiful, confident 13 yo biracial niece that attends a CC middle school. She was been called the n word several times by her peers. Most recently, one of her classmates posted a picture of a noose with a sign that said "For Sale, nword swing set". My niece and our family were devastated. My sister reached out to the principal about the incident and it was addressed. My sister went onto local fb pages to let the community know about this awful photo that our children are sharing on social media. She was quite disappointed with the feedback and was actually kicked out of a few of the groups. This experience has changed how our family talks about race. I think it has given us an opportunity to grow our children to do better. Your organization and conference helps me to be a better ally and in turn teach my boys to be allies.”
“Hold courageous conversations in my place of work.”
“Work on addressing my own biases through reading and action.”
“Having honest conversation with friends about race”
“Be aware of local government”
“Hold courageous conversations in my place of work.”
“Continue reading and working on social justice”
“Continue to attend seminars/talks related to the topic and share with others”
“Continue to educate myself on the system of oppression and push to eliminate these systems within my organization's hiring processes.”
“Begin conversations with others”
“Not "un-friend" people who make racist comments. Keep them in my circle and lighten the load for those who would otherwise have the comments/actions directed at them.”
“Allowing myself to express myself despite if it makes me looking like the ‘angry black woman’”
“Challenge stereotypes”
“1. Share resources (books, movies, documentaries) with colleagues, friends and family regarding each of our roles in eradicating racism. 2. Contact local and federal representatives to express my stance on racially oppressive practices. 3. Push through my own discomfort when talking with others who appear to lack awareness of the issue and plant seeds of change!”
“communication, being honest and having a dialogue about topic of intentional racist behaviors and the outcome”
“supporting black own business. help family member especially children understand the overt signs that suggest that are less than and how to fight them in positive ways”