While the Black Lives Matter movement is to directly uplift the Black community, this does not exempt other races from reaping the rewards or needing to participate in activism. However, our role is different.

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SIGN PETITIONS KNOWLEDGEABLY:

Your name and signature are powerful, but their power increases dramatically when you understand what you're attaching it to. So read the blurbs attached to each petition and take the time to process how and whom your signature will impact.

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STAY OUT OF BLACK PEOPLE'S DMs:

While it may feel like you're just trying to learn from them first-hand, in the age of technology, there is no reason you can't Google your question or look around social media platforms for people who have willingly posted about it.

It is not the job of Black people to educate you about your role or validate you as a non-racist. Can you imagine how overwhelming it would feel if every one of your followers started messaging you one day asking complex and philosophical questions about why you wear makeup or dress the way that you do? And even those hypotheticals are choices that you make, which means that to some degree your choice was knowingly political. Black people can't choose to step out of their blackness when they're exhausted by the burden of their oppression in the way that you could choose to take off your makeup or change your clothes. So, to reiterate the initial point: Stay out of Black people's DMs and show your allyship in ways that don't implicate them if they do not wish to be implicated.

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DONATE TO LOCAL BLM FUNDS:

The media has been giving a lot of attention to specific American funds like the Minnesota Freedom Fund. However, because of their viral attention, these organizations have become overwhelmed with donations (which is great!) but we need to spread the wealth. Many of the families of police brutality victims have personal GoFundMe's where you can donate. Although I strongly urge you to look into local organizations and funds because making a difference within your own community can be the best place to start.

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SUPPORT (LOCAL) BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES:

Like I said above, starting within your community is the best way to go about solving universal issues. But, sometimes certain things cannot be bought locally. So, see which large businesses are run by Black people or actively support BLM. Supporting these businesses is right up there with directly donating to charity. The repercussions of being a part of the success of Black entrepreneurs not only benefit them but also benefits the diversity of the economy, which in turn helps the whole community thrive.

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CHECK-IN ON YOUR BLACK FRIENDS:

This is different from the DMing I mentioned above. Check-in on them emotionally; ask them how they're doing; see if there is a way you can help them emotionally rather than asking how they can help you intellectually. Make sure that they know they can unburden on you without guilt. If you are in a place, mentally, where you can give them the emotional support that they need, then you should offer that.

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LISTEN TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY:

This can directly link to DMing Black people. Part of the reason that those validation-DMs are so common is that, as outsiders, we cannot bring ourselves to accept the information that Black people are providing for us. Every day they tell us what they need to become equals; every day there are thousands of posts about what we can do to help; every day there are demands to the government about the reform that will bring justice to the oppressed. So listen to them. Hear their words and go through the uncomfortable process of understanding the ignorance that you have been privileged to your whole life, and then act.

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USE YOUR WHITE PLATFORM:

You have this insane power as a person in this age of technology: social media. Use it. But by 'use it' I don't just mean post an MLK quote and call it a day. You should be looking to inform in the most intellectual and honest way possible. This should include using your own voice and ideas to perpetuate the conversation on BLM. Stock posts are great because they are usually visually appealing, concise, and informative. But nothing trumps putting the effort into personalizing the messages you share. Imagine the wealth of knowledge, resources, opinions, perspectives, and ideas we would have if every Black ally took the time to vocalize their stance.

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UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WILL NEVER KNOW:

Part of what drives people to be so quick to ask Black people about their experiences is because on some level we feel that it is necessary to understand the Black experience to be able to act upon it. But as outsiders, we need to accept that it is a privilege to not understand and that there is no way we ever could. However, what we can do is come to terms with the fact that there is always more for us to learn and that it will be common for us to make mistakes. With that said, we need to be ready to take criticism about the activism we partake in. If you cannot hear how the things you are sharing or saying are disrespectful (even if they are not intentionally so), then you are not ready to be a part of the conversation. So come prepared to make mistakes, acknowledge them, and correct them...constantly. It is not a bad thing to grow if you are always coming from a place of love and acceptance. So, ultimately, don't be afraid to be vocal at the risk of saying the wrong thing.