Here at Laborem Edge, the team feel deeply about what’s going on right now in our country’s continued fight for civil rights and want to do our part.
We feel the best way we can make an impact and honor George Floyd’s memory is to share a list of actions anyone can take. If you think of any additional ideas, please reach out to us. We would love to add more!
1. Share positive content. Here is a video we think the whole world should see. If you have seen any other all-around positive videos, please share it with us!
2. Join a peaceful protests
If you are able to go out and show your support, you should! You might regret later not being able to tell your family and friends that you had the privilege of getting involved in one of history’s major moments that will be written in textbooks one day. We aren’t judging anyone who hasn’t for whatever reason and that’s half the reason we’re writing this list now! Not everyone is that fortunate to be able to play a role in person but there are many ways you can equally contribute!
3. Support your friend’s actions
Whether they are sharing positive content, speaking their mind, or live streaming what’s going on! Now is the time to speak up and show people you care and are listening.
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” – Martin Luther King
This one is tricky because what if your friends are saying or doing things you don’t agree with? We want to be clear we’re not telling you to blindly follow your friends… which leads us to the next point.
4. Don’t take things for face value. Do the research!
We have a list of great causes below to donate to but here is a link to find your own and make sure they align with your views. You might also take the opportunity to do more research on the current topic and share what you might find. There is a lot of data out there to learn from.
5. Donate to causes you believe in
We understand how tough times are currently with everyone still feeling the aftermath (and current impact really) of COVID-19, so PLEASE do not feel any pressure or judgment if you don’t feel like you’re in a comfortable position to donate money. You can also look up their number and check in on them and show support. That’s what we did for Experimax.
Another idea is to offer other resources like your time to help them clean up or restore their store or simply just share this post or their GoFundMe page, directly.
Everything adds up! The theme of this post is about Taking Action in a positive way. That’s all that matters!
Local Business
National Causes
6. Write to your representatives
Use this link to find your local representative and speak up! There is no wrong thing to say if it comes from a place of love and equality.
7. Vote!
This is a great way to change who has influence within our government. You can use this link to learn more about the upcoming presidential and state level (if you scroll to the bottom) elections. We’re not taking sides on this one, we just believe it’s one of the most important actions we can take as an American citizen. Not all countries provide such privilege to their citizens.
8. Call a friend or a business that is impacted
Offer your support, even if it’s just to let them know you’re thinking about them. Especially if they have been impacted.
9. Be mindful of where you fit in with all of this
A great example of this is when the football player from the video we shared above tells us about his encounter with a white elderly lady. Check it out if you haven’t! It’s a short video and this clip is towards the end.
Everyone has had a different life journey and we need to make sure that we are doing our best to think about how others feel and promote healing and positivity, not just trying to voice our own perspective which is limited to your own life and experience (something a lot of people take for granted, others might consider being a privilege).
Just like most Americans take the right to vote as a privilege, most immigrants are extremely proud and grateful for the privilege they now have. As President George W. Bush recently said… “Now is the time to listen, not lecture.”
The full quote:
“It is time for us to listen. It is time for America to examine our tragic failures – and as we do, we will also see some of our redeeming strengths.” – George W. Bush