chaotic-archaeologist:

As a white person, I think that the best way to mark Juneteenth is to 1) educate ourselves, and 2) to uplift Black voices.

Education Resources:

13th is an award winning documentary about the 13th Amendment and the history of modern American slavery. I think that it should be required viewing for everyone living in this country. You can watch it on Netflix.

Slavery by Another Name is a book that covers essentially the same material as 13th, in case documentaries aren’t your thing. It also has a film adaptation that is available for free online.

Redemption: The Last Battle of the Civil War is a book about the exact way in which the process of Reconstruction and racial equality failed following the Civil War. I think it’s an incredibly valuable tool for understanding how the foundation for events detailed in 13th and Slavery by Another Name was laid.

I am Not Your Negro is a documentary based on the works of James Baldwin, centered around his experiences of being a Black gay man in the US during the 1950s through the 1980s.

Uplifting/Supporting Black Voices Resources:

The Innocence Project recognizes that Black people are incarcerated at a higher rate than white people, and that many of these are wrongful convictions. They are also working to reform the criminal justice system. You can donate and/or get involved here.

The Prisoner Correspondence Project works to connect incarcerated LGBTQ+ people in the US and Canada with with pen pals outside of prison. I personally have a pen pal that I met through them, and we’ve been writing to each other for almost 3 years. It’s one of the single most meaningful things I’ve ever done with my life. You can make a donation here and apply for a pen pal here.

The Southern Poverty Law Center works to be a catalyst for racial justice in the American South (as well as the rest of the country). They fight systems of white supremacy and promote intersectionality. You can find ways to support them here.

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Finally, perhaps the single most important thing you can do is listen to the Black people in your life. No group is a monolith, and everyone will have different viewpoints and experiences. Keep your heart and your ears open, especially when it’s difficult.

-Reid