5 actions to make today to support BLM

2 June 2020

Create Jobs is a community grown on the values of creativity, equity and trust. We are dedicated to uplifting and platforming diverse talent.

It is fundamental to the work we do, and who we are, to stand in complete defiance to the systematic oppression that burdens our community.

The black community has endured so much pain and trauma over centuries, and the events of the past few weeks are just the tip of the iceberg. This is why we want to add ours to the voices demanding change and make it known, if there was ever a doubt, that we stand with you and offer our support.

It is all our duties, to actively unpack our individual privileges and commit to saying Black Lives Matter until we see it in all aspects of our society.

“It is not enough to be quietly non-racist. Now is the time to be vocally anti-racist”, Angela Davis

Whilst we continue to champion the necessity of black creatives and show representation in our community through every aspect of our work – including Future Startup Now Founders and all our programmes – we recognise that there is still much more to do. The more that we can do, the more we can call on our partners and community to do.

This is why we're asking for action, to make a difference by making five changes. Today.

1. To understand why we are here today, why we are having these conversations, and how you can help, first, you must understand what White privilege is

Credit: @munroebergdorf

Dr. Remi Joseph-Salisbury, from the University of Manchester, told Metro.co.uk: ‘White privilege refers to the ways in which people racialised as white experience advantages over non-white people. These privileges are not random, but are the consequence of the systemic white supremacy that underpins our society.’

Useful resources:

Anti Racism Resources for White People

A Guide to White Privilege

2. Actions not Hashtags

Whilst having a voice online and through your socials can help spread the word and build a momentum of social movements, we need to do more. Be an active member in dismantling the systematic oppression within your own workplace and community. This can be done by supporting and platforming organisations and not-for-profits who support the development, education and empowerment of black communities.

• Hire from and post jobs to platforms that are recognised safe spaces for diverse talent such as BYP, Create Jobs, POCIT and YSYS.
• One of the many places you can donate is Kwanda. Kwanda is a collection pot for black communities, raising a fund to cover the costs of therapy for black individuals
• @popsugaruk have put together a thread of organisation you can also donate to and actively support -

Volunteer, hire, donate, share, educate yourself, but most importantly be involved and be present.

3. Don’t contribute to the normalisation of images and videos of black children, men and women being murdered

Think before you repost the brutalisation and murdering of black people. Think about the action you can take to bring awareness to the event and if you can achieve that without posting graphic and triggering content. Kemo Alemoru shares her thoughts and “new rules” on what to do with videos of police brutality here,

Read What should we do with videos of police brutality? written by Kemi Alemoru

Videos that show police brutality and overt racism will be triggering and can have an impact on your mental health and well-being, this has been an extremely traumatic time for the black community. It is important that you are checking in with yourself right now, protect your mental well-being, find a balance between informing and overwhelming yourself. Help is out there, make sure you reach out. You are not alone.

The Black Asian Therapy Networks (BAATN) primary aims is to address the inequality of access to appropriate psychological services for Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean people, which is a well-recognised reality.

You can access low-cost therapy and support services here.

YoungMinds has a collection of free online support services as well as resources, videos and support services.

4. There is more than one way to protest

The pandemic has changed many of the ways we approach things and whilst everyone has the right to protest and make a stand, we encourage you to do it safely. Other than attending Black Lives Matter protests you are able to demonstrate your support and solidarity by:

• Ensuring you are only supporting and spending your money at businesses that are actively calling out racism and miscarriages of justice.
• Open your platform to those that need a voice, retweet and promote content that supports and uplifts positive black and brown voices within the community
• Send an email to your team and board with an overview of what has happened over the past few weeks- if your company has not already responded urge them to create A Black Lives Matter Response Plan
• Blog, tell your friends, family, colleague why change is needed urgently, there is power in words, your words

For more information about what to expect if you plan on attending a protest and how to do so safely, check out Dazed.

gal-dem also share some helpful guidance on what to do if you can't protest in the streets.

5. Call out racism when you see it, silence is no longer acceptable

The tone you hear in your manager's voice when they speak to your black colleagues? Call it out, report it to HR let your colleague know you see them.

See a group of young black men or women being stopped and searched? Stop your car, ask if they are ok, tell the police officer you there to observe and will be staying until they finish.

Report the stop and search to the Y-Stop project, the stop and search project is created by young people for young people. The project is a collaboration between charities, lawyers, young people, youth workers, community, and media organisations. It is run by Release in partnership with StopWatch .

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly”- Martin Luther King Jr

And finally...

Our work has never been more necessary, our commitment to creating spaces for creatives of colour has never been more urgent. We will continue to champion diversity and the value of black lives. We are here, as always, to support those in our community.

We will always be an ally. We urge you to do the same.