Ways to Stand Up for Racial Justice

*Last updated on Wednesday, July 22, 2020*

Our community is in pain. Our community is angry. Our community is resilient. 

If you, like us and many others, are outraged by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, police brutality, and violent racism, we invite you to stand up for justice. We also know that looks different for everyone. We have compiled a list of potential ways to take action and encourage you to find what is right for you. Please also note that these events, resources and actions are not organized by IJPC (unless otherwise noted) but that we support their calls for peace and justice. 

IJPC’s Rethinking Racism team is collaborating with others to organize a meaningful event that will provide space to examine and discuss the issues we are facing. Make sure you are signed up for our Rethinking Racism emails and follow Rethinking Racism on Facebook to get more details.

Attend a local event. As things are always changing, please use the links provided to get the most up-to-date information. Cincinnati.com has also compiled a list of upcoming events on their website here.

• Open Forum: A Community Discussion with BLM Oxford, hosted by BLM Oxford and the Interfaith Center at Miami University
  • When: Wednesday, July 22, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Where: Online – Zoom.
• Race and the City: Work, Community and Protest in Cincinnati 1820-1970 book discussion, hosted by Melanie Moon and Six Chapter Champions 
  • When: Friday, July 24, 12:00 PM
  • Where: Online – Zoom
  • Email melanmoon@gmail.com for more details.
• Justice for Sonya Staley, hosted by Social Justice League of Cincinnati
  • When: Tuesday, July 28, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Where: Hamilton County Court House, Main St.
• Awake & Act: Reimagining the Police & Understanding Nonviolence, hosted by IJPC and the NonViolence Alliance
  • When: Wednesday, July 29, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Where: Online – registration required.

Donate and support relief and advocacy efforts. 

• Donate to the Cincinnati Bail Relief Fund organized by Beloved Community Church for protesters (select your amount and then choose Cincinnati Bail Fund). 
• Find and support local black-owned businesses in Cincinnati. 
• Donate to the George Floyd Memorial Fund.
• Donate to the Justice for Breonna Taylor Fund. 
• Donate to I Run With Maud. 
• Donate to black-led organizations working for justice such as Black Lives Matter, Equal Justice Initiative, NAACP, Movement for Black Lives and more. 

Educate yourself and others. Listen with an open mind and heart to black people and people of color who share their stories, experiences, and perspectives. 

• Local Resources:
  • IJPC’s Race and Racism in Cincinnati Toolkit. The piece includes 3 chapters of resources with articles, books and videos, post reading quizzes, exercises for reflection, action steps, and more.
  • Stream Cincinnati Goddamn free online through June 18.
  • Bellarmine Chapel, The Color of COVID and the New Jim Crow, hosted and recorded this week on June 1 and available online for viewing. 
  • Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Resources to Help You on Your Racial Equity Journey.
• National Resources: 
  • NY Magazine, 12 Anti-Racist Books Recommended by Educators and Activists.
  • NY Times, An Antiracist Reading List.
  • The Guardian, ‘No reader is too young to start’: anti-racist books for all children and teens.
  • Time, Several Antiracist Books Are Selling Out. Here’s What Else Black Booksellers and Publishers Say You Should Read.
  • Showing Up For Racial Justice, Political Education, Toolkits, and Other Resources.
  • Watch the film Just Mercy, streaming free online now. 
  • Sunshine Behavioral Health – Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community

Advocate and take action.

• Locally:
  • Sign the petition by Beloved Community Church to drop the charges against all of those who were arrested during recent protests, marches and rallies.
  • Sign the petition by Beloved Community Church to defund the Cincinnati Police Department. (Read more from IJPC on this issue here)
  • Review recommendations by the Ohio Justice and Policy Center.
  • Support the Ohio Resolution to designate racism as a public health crisis by calling or writing to your state representative. 
  • Join local policy demands presented by City Councilmember P.G. Sittenfeld. 
  • Take note of “How You Can Weigh in on the City of Cincinnati’s Budget,” provided by City Beat.
  • Answer the Calls to Action organized by the Cincinnati NAACP.
  • Participate in Eviction Court Watch with MARCC, League of Women’s Voters and Women’s City Club.
• Nationally:
  • Review the demands and action items compiled by the Movement for Black Lives.
  • Take action with the NAACP and their campaign #WeAreDoneDying and view their demands. 
  • Join the ACLU to reduce funding to law enforcement and to reinvest in the communities they harm.
  • Join the ACLU to support reparations for slavery with HR 40.