Racial Justice Starting Points for Hoosiers – United State of Indiana

Racial Justice Starting Points for Hoosiers

If you want to help fight for racial justice in Indiana but are struggling to know how, here's a quick resource guide of informative works on the subject from Black creators. (and you can find many more online) If you're new to the fight, that's ok. Lots of us are, so it's the perfect time to jump in.

If you're reading this sentence, you can't say, "I didn't know where to start."

BIG NOTE: This list is in no way comprehensive (or even close), but is meant as a collection to browse and find out where you should explore more. If you really want to make change, it's on you to find out where you'll do it best.

Learning and Listening

A key element of doing this whole "giant change for the better" thing is citizens being truly, thoroughly educated about the society we live in. If you recognize there's a problem, but don't feel like you know enough to talk confidently and advocate for change to those around you, now is the perfect time to start learning.

Books to Read

Brain Lair Books is a black-female-owned independent book shop in South Bend that's currently being flooded with much-deserved support. Why not throw a little more love their way? Order your books through them.

    Movies to Watch

    Podcasts to Listen To

    • What Matters? from Black Lives Matter Episode 4 features the South Bend chapter of BLM
    • 1619 from the New York Times. An audio series on how slavery has transformed America, connecting past and present through the oldest form of storytelling.
    • Code Switch from NPR. "We explore how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between." 

    Songs by Black Hoosiers to Listen to While You Learn How to Change the World

    (an entirely too-short playlist based soley based on personal favorites)

     

    Donating & Volunteering

    Money and time are vital components to creating social change. By sharing some of your income or hours with organizations at the front line of the movement for racial justice, you are enabling them to spread their cause, grow their team and access important resources to bolster their work. Here are a few organizations to get you started.

    Black Lives Matter

    BLM's is both a grassroots movement and organized global initiative to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we work to win immediate improvements in the Black community. BLM has chapters in Indianapolis and South Bend.

    NAACP Legal Defense Fund

    Societal change requires legal action and protection, so it's good to support lawyers and legal professionals fighting the good fight. The Legal Defense Fund seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. 

    The Bail Project

    Your donation to the Bail Project helps to pay bail for people in need, reuniting families pre-trial and restoring the presumption of innocence. If you're not sure about how cash bail works and the injustices it creates, that's ok. Click here for a concise introduction to the topic and to learn more about the vision of the Bail Project. Locally, The Bail Project currently operates in Indianapolis and Lake County, Indiana. 

    ACLU of Indiana

    The ACLU is the nation's largest non-profit law firm, fighting specifically to defend and protect the civil liberties of all Americans. In practice, this means they're often leading the charge to protect marginalized groups and people in the highest courts in the country. 

    This is a growing list.
    Know a Hoosier resource we should add? 
    Let us know through the contact form!

     

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