#laylafsaad

[ahylen]

Be you. Follow the rhythm of your heart. Posted @withregram • @laylafsaad As changemakers we have to stay focused on both our being and our doing. This does NOT mean grinding and hustling. It means being in harmony with our life, being on purpose with our mission, and being in love with our full humanity.⁠ ⁠ Post a 🏹 in the comments if this resonates.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #AffirmationsForChangemakers⁠ 🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠⁠ I’m Layla Saad and I'm a writer and teacher. I help changemakers do the intergenerational work of healing and liberation. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnioK6PLk6K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[eating-their-words]

"When he told my two younger brothers and me that he was actually the captain of the massive ship, we couldn't believe it. 'But Dad!,' we said, 'you can't be the captain! Captains are supposed to be old and have a beard!' He and my mother both laughed. Up until that point, the only captain we had ever seen was Captain Birds Eye, the elderly white man we saw on the television ads for the Birds Eye fish fingers we loved having for lunch. Looking back now, I realize that what I also meant was 'You can't be the captain. You're not white.'" ~ This quote is from day 10 of the journey and I was surprised to find food in this book at all. I'm currently on day 24, the beginning of the fourth week. I'm am so grateful to @laylafsaad for writing this book for us. It should be required reading. I put off reading "books about race" for far too long and am ashamed of it. If you (like me) are white and are not interested in reading this (or books like it) you are precisely the person who should be reading it. I've learned that all our reasons (excuses) have a name and are exactly what white supremacy counts on to continue oppressing people. Here were some of my reasons: ~ "I don't really like reading non-fiction" = white privilege "I don't need to read this. I'm not racist, I'm one of the 'good white people' " = white exceptionalism "I don't want my account to be 'political' " = white silence "I'm afraid to be called out for making mistakes" = white fragility ~ If we don't change ourselves how can we change the world? #dothework ✏️ ~ #meandwhitesupremacy #laylafsaad #fishfingers #foodinbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CEO5gDJK2qB/?igshid=620rasf3uamo

[scribesandvibes]

#heyyoungworld, #BOOKSCOMEINALLCOLORS when you #shopscribesandvibes! Take 10% off of this beautiful display of #moralphilosophy and #practicalguidance with promo code FINDYOURTRIBE.⁠ ⁠ #scribesandvibes • #middlegradebooks • #weallneeddifferentbookstolove • #blackwritersmatter • #findyourtribe ・・・⁠ #blackhistorynow #bookcrush 📚😍: #MEANDWHITESUPREMACY: YOUNG READERS' EDITION, written by #LaylaFSaad [ig: @laylafsaad] https://www.instagram.com/p/CZsqP_3LjBe/?utm_medium=tumblr

[booklalaland]

August book haul #meandwhitesupremacy #thewinnerstrilogy #threedarkcrowns #brokenearthtrilogy #chainofgold #crescentcity #bornacrime #clapwhenyouland #betweentheworldandme #innamoore #kamenarepublika #leviathanwakes #nameofthewind #thegirlinthetower #empiriumtrilogy #bookstagram #bookhaul #instabook ##laylafsaad #nkjemisin #sarahjmaas #kendareblake #elizabethacevedo #trevornoah #cassandraclare #clairelegrand #katherinearden #patrickrothfuss #tanehisicoates #marierutkoski https://www.instagram.com/p/CE4-frhgTt4/?igshid=1sjvzuei4ltum

[aniehart]

Muting, listening and learning. Reading my favorite black writers and I wanted to share and #amplifymelanatedvoices These are writers I have read and learned so much from over the years. 📚♥️ ✊🏽 @nicstone - “You ever consider that maybe you not supposed to ‘fit’? People who make history rarely do.” (Dear Martin) 📖 @angiethomas “What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?” (The hate you give) 📖 @tanehisipcoates “But race is the child of racism, not the father.” (Between the world and me) 📖 @roxanegay74 “When you can’t find someone to follow, you have to find a way to lead by example.” (Bad feminist) 📖 @ibramxk “One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an antiracist. There is no in-between safe space of “not racist.” The claim of “not racist” neutrality is a mask for racism.” (How to be an antiracist) 📖 @laylafsaad “A white person’s expression of anger is often seen as righteous, whereas a Black person’s anger is often seen as aggressive and dangerous.” (Me and white supremacy) ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽 Feel free to comment your favorites and add on to this list! 📚📖📚📖📚 . . #nicstone #angiethomas #tanehisicoates #roxanegay #ibramxkendi #laylafsaad #blackvoicesmatter #blackartmatters #blackstoriesmatter #diversitymatters #representationmatters (at Oslo, Norway) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA7fpxMnMUf/?igshid=1uxd5w40ce3ea

[lemolobooks]

Thank you Source Books for the wonderful dinner for your authors Kelli Estes, Layla E Saad, And Danielle Kartes. . . . #indiebooksellers #pnwindiebooksellers #seattle #kelliestes #daniellekartes #laylafsaad #bookstagram #indiebooksellers #sourcebooks #libertybaybooks #qabookco (at Cutters Crabhouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B35N3mpFCXr/?igshid=rbg4puk4ul3j

[biacemate]

me and white supremacy - layla f. saad www.meandwhitesupremacybook.com (it's a digital download!!!)❤️

[captain-kelli]

a group effort

Back in school, I really hated group projects. I hated that my success was dependent on anyone else. Inevitably, I’d be teamed up with a bunch of slackers that I knew weren’t going to put in the work and it was infuriating. That annoyance is what drove me to just do the whole project by myself to guarantee that I’d get a good grade.

The health of this fandom is a lot like a group project, but no single person can do all of the work for everyone. It’s going to take a village.

I was relieved to see so many people speak out against racism in fanfiction and the fandom after Hannah refused to take accountability for the choices she made and the impact they had. 

But the work doesn’t stop there. 

Before I get into this, I want to acknowledge my privilege. I am a white, straight, cisgendered, non-disabled woman. I am, by absolutely no means, an authority on this topic. But I’ve heard it said that it is a privilege to learn about racism and not live it. And we can’t keep expecting Black people to educate us when there are so many resources out there already at our disposal. So, let’s learn together.

If we’re serious about moving forward as a community, then we need to be more than our words. We must be our actions.

All of that being said, I put together a list of resources and activities that have helped me in my journey towards anti-racism. If there is anything that you feel like should be added to this list, send me a note. If you need to check me on anything in this post, do it. I’m always looking for new ways to learn and be supportive. We’re all works in progress and I’m not an exception to that.

Supporting the Fandom

Thanks to patient and gracious friends, I have a greater understanding of how difficult it is for Black writers to exist in this predominantly white space and gain traction with their stories. They also shared how hurtful it was for people to only support Black writers when it’s trendy.

We have to be more intentional and consistent in our support of Black writers - myself included.

Not only because their stories are brilliantly told and worth reading, but we stand to learn more about their perspective of the world through them. It’s a fun and entertaining way we can learn, grow, and be supportive.

Allow me to shamelessly plug my friends and encourage you to read the works of @allaboardthereadingrailroad, @whiskey-cokenfanfic, @tropicalcap, and @avintagekiss24. I’m still working through all of their master lists, but everything I’ve read so far is straight up gold.

Now that I’ve done that, let me say that I know I need to expand past my group of friends. We all do. Here are some other writers that I’ve heard good things about and whose work I look forward to reading more of: @venusbarnes, @writeturnlove, @sapphirescrolls, @getinmelanin011, @tastingmellow

For a more exhaustive list of Black and POC writers, you can find what @thefanficfaerie has assembled over on this link.

Turn Social Media into Your Classroom

My nana likes to say that she learns something new every day as a gift to herself. The easiest way for me to do that, to make sure this movement is something I’m investing in daily, was to follow educational and activist accounts on Instagram since we all know that I’m on there regularly. Here are some of my favorites.

Brittany Packnett Cunningham (@mspackyetti): A superstar. A gift. Brittany is an accomplished civic activist and leader and is dedicating her life to be an instrument of change. Her social commentary is always timely and informative and she’s great about promoting calls to action.

Rachel Cargle (@rachel.cargle): Rachel demonstrates ways we can fight racism and uplift the Black community in our regular, daily lives. She is direct, unapologetic in her approach, and checks my privilege regularly. I’m thankful for her.

Layla F. Saad (@laylafsaad): Layla is on a sabbatical right now to spend time writing, but I highly encourage you to go back through older posts. She’s done a few interviews and speaks on dismantling racism frequently. She also wrote a book (that I just bought and can’t wait to read) called “Me and White Supremacy.” 

Emmanuel Acho (@emmanuelacho): A retired football player and current sports analyst, Emmanuel is adding “activist” to his resume. I absolutely live for his “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” series where he’s had candid discussions with guests like Matthew McConaughey and Chip + Joanna Gaines. They’re short and so accessible and filled with grace.

The Conscious Kid (@theconsciouskid): While I don’t have kids myself, I’m an aunt and a godmother. This account, while addressing racial issues that affect everyone, also highlights how we can work with kids. If you’re a parent or someone interacts with children regularly, you might like this!

Honorable mentions for other accounts that keep me informed and set me straight: 

shityoushouldcareabout

thekingcenter

attnwhitepeople

decolonizemyself

ijeomaoluo

austinchanning

ckyourprivilege

roxeanegay7

ava   

michaelharriot

johnboyega

iamrachelricketts

Please, for the love of god, VOTE

Racism is systemic. It’s in all three branches of the American federal government. It’s in your local offices and city halls. It’s in school systems and police precincts. It’s in our laws and governmental procedures. All of that seeps into our society in a multitude of ugly ways.

You want to know how to fix that?

Elect officials who will make impactful changes.

Go to Rock the Vote for these resources:

Register to vote

COVID-19 voting information by state 

Help others register to vote

Get out the vote

Take actions on issues

Contact your elected officials

BIG NOTE: our sorry excuse for a President has instructed the United States Postal Service to slow down the mail. If you’re planning on mailing in your ballot, get it in at least 4 weeks ahead of the deadline.

Don’t boo. Vote. It’s going to take never-seen-before numbers to eradicate these bigoted officials out of office.

-

There’s so much we can do to further communities across the world to make them inclusive and accepting and loving. This post is hardly exhaustive. Find what works for you, but find something. My late congressman, John Lewis, would call it “good trouble.”

Do not become complacent in your place in this movement. There will always be more work to be done, more progress to be had.

Index of Additional Resources:

Thank you to members of our community that have shared some of these with me. If you have a resource that’s helped you that’s not listed, send it my way and I’ll drop it in!

Podcasts:

Still Processing

Thirst Aid Kit

Code Switch

Pod Save America

Movies:

Just Mercy

13th

Freedom Riders

When They See Us (TW: Violence - thank you, Gigi, for this head’s up)

Also - Amazon Prime and Netflix both have Black Lives Matter sections now. Explore those and let me know what movies resonated with you!

Books:

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (currently reading)

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad (on deck)

So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo (cannot WAIT to read)

Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays by Damon Young

How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide by Crystal Marie Fleming

[dailydanneelackles]

danneelackles512: What more can be said about this, it is disgusting, it is racist, it is hate in its purist form...saying things isn’t enough...action needs to be taken. We watched George Floyd’s murder. We watched his murder. We must all demand justice. We owe this to his family and to our African American Communities. If we are truly all in this together.....then let’s be all in this together. How many more horrific intolerable acts must take place... RIP #AhmaudArbery and thank goodness Christian Cooper was not added to the growing list of victims in the other virus infecting our Country. #georgefloyd #restinpower #blacklivesmatter 👈 hopefully this becomes clearer to those who “don’t get it” ⁣Repost from @lenawaithe👇 Rest in Power #GEORGEFLOYD | call Minneapolis Mayor @jacobfrey1 (612)-673-2100 + the DA (612)-348-5550 and demand the prosecution of all officers involved including Derek Chauvin (Badge 1087) and Tou Thao (Badge 7162). ⁣ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀I am editing this post to include a few suggestions on people to follow who are amazing sources of learning given to me by a follower of mine @olaflowenthal. 👉@rachel.cargle @nowhitesaviors @laylafsaad (x)

[hezzasims]

“Silence is not neutral. Silence is looking the other way and protecting your privilege - thus continuing to uphold white supremacy. White silence is violence. White silence protects the system. [...] When you stay silent, you stay complicit.” - Layla F. Saad, Me and White Supremacy Workbook

I made this piece yesterday to share on Instagram (which uses my real name and therefore won’t be linked here), but TBH my following on tumblr is much larger so I wanted to speak up here as well. Earlier this week, I planned to be silent online about the current events in Minneapolis, Louisville, Atlanta, Brooklyn and beyond. I had anti-racist conversations at home and we donated to the Minnesota Freedom Fund as well as the NAACP Legal Defence Fund. I thought that I didn’t need to add another white voice to the online discourse; I wanted to listen. As this week progressed, it became clear to me that this was not enough. Silence is complicity. Black lives matter. It is not black people’s responsibility to educate white people; we must do that work ourselves. 

Below are some resources I’ve found helpful in educating myself and that I would recommend any of my white followers look into for themselves as well (and not just those in America! Other countries are not exempt from racism): 

Read (and buy from local bookstores, not Amazon): 

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge (especially if you live in the UK or Commonwealth countries)

Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard (especially if you live in Canada like I do)

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

Follow on Instagram:

nowhitesaviors

laylafsaad

rachel.cargle

ihartericka

theconsciouskid (especially if you have or interact with children)

shishi.rose

My inbox and chats are always open if anyone wants to talk about this further. 🖤

[thelovelylights]

STOP ASKING BLACK PEOPLE TO EDUCATE YOU

if you're white or non black there is work to do. We do NOT arrive as allies rather there is hard work that has to be consistently done.

Here is my linktree linktr.ee/Jenlamadrid with information for THE US, UK, AND LATINES (in Spanish) including: recommended AND FREE (no excuses) texts, articles, books from Black authors, legal aid, donations, petitions, emails etc.

And while you're here follow (on insta)

- Nowhitesaviors

-Rachel.cargle

-Djuan____

-Laylafsaad

-Amandaseales

- Sonyareneetaylor

-Brandonkgood

-Migrantscribble

[eating-their-words]

"This work is not about those white people 'out there'. It is about you. Just you. [...] You will become intimidated when you begin to realize how this work will necessitate seismic change in your life. You will feel unrewarded because there will be nobody rushing to thank you for doing this work. But if you are a person who believes in love, justice, integrity, and equality for all people, then you know that this work is nonnegotiable." ~ Starting this journey today with this mindset 💫 ~ #dothework #meandwhitesupremacy #laylafsaad https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZKgMnqZ_S/?igshid=mkxl9o3kczuz

[swanlake1998]

alexandra terry photographed by rachel neville

-caption from the post by alexandra terry @alexandra.terry on ig-

For the past few days I’ve been trying to decide what I wanted to say on social media, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to say anything at all. It is only one person’s experience, but it is MY experience as a black woman in the United States. And if my sharing effects a change in one person then it will be worth it. I ask that when the outrage fades away and the protests are over, you continue to think about race and how you can be an ally to Black people and PoC. Forgetting about race is not a luxury that I have. Unfortunately racism can’t be “solved” by voting, it’s a deeper issue that requires each of us to truly look within ourselves. Racism is a humanity issue that doesn’t begin or end with politics. Educate yourself and stay up to date with “black issues” that don’t always make mainstream news. If you don’t feel comfortable protesting, then get involved in other ways, you can always make phone calls, sign petitions and donate. And if a black person tells you that you’ve said something that offends them, please listen. When I let someone know they’ve said something insensitive, it’s because I know that they don’t mean it with malice, but they should know it’s not a good thing to say. And if you want to be an ally if you hear people making racist jokes or comments you should let them know it’s not okay. To those who posted a message of support or participated in a tag chain on IG stories, it’s a good start. But try to actively help donations, calls for justice and sign as well as sharing petitions. Organizations to donate to: @blklivesmatter @naacp @unicorn.riot @blackvisionscollective @reclaimtheblock @thedreamdefenders @showingupforracialjustice @innocenceproject Accounts to follow for education: @rachel.cargle @thegreatunlearn @theconsciouskid (you can also donate to their Patreon) @nowhitesaviors @thenorthstarmedia @benjaminokeefe @laylafsaad Photo by Rachel Neville

[artbyjarin]

I’ve posted this on Instagram a while ago, thought I’d share this here too. It’s never too late to make an effort and get educated ❤️

Creating this painting has made me feel so heartbroken. How can you hate someone so much for their skin colour? Being someone who has experienced a lot of racism my whole life I still can’t fathom the brutality some of us are facing in the rest of the world. I am hoping this post will get people together and start a discussion. Because I know a large part of my followers probably don’t know what’s going on or don’t care. If you think none of this has to do with you because you don’t live in America, you are so wrong. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣I am aware that there are many other horrible things happening in the world and that is hard to keep up and care about all of them. But racism is something you can’t just ignore. It’s been here for so long and it won’t go anywhere anytime soon. It’s something someone either experiences it as a victim or an assailant. Then there’s the people in between. Which is probably a lot of you reading this. You might not be either one of them, but you might know someone who knows someone else and on and on. And till this issue is put down, which probably won’t happen during our lifetimes, it needs to be called out. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣I have been asking, begging, for people to speak up. If you feel scared or don’t have the words, share posts. Bring awareness to those around you. Help yourself and others grow. Take time to listen, to read. Talk to your family members and friends. Take time to support organisations and petitions and donate if you can. That is all I’m asking for.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣

I took some time and gathered some resources I have found through other people. By all means this list is absolute. There is tons of other information you can look up yourself.

If this post gets to even only one of you I will be grateful.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Books

⁣Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge⁣

Brit-ish - Afua Hirsch ⁣

Me and White Supremacy- Layla Saad⁣

White Fragility - Robin Diangelo ⁣

How To Be An Antiracist - Ibrahim X. Kendi⁣

⁣

Documentaries

⁣13th ⁣

I am Not Your Negro ⁣

The Rachel Divide ⁣

The Central Park Five ⁣

The Black Panthers - Vanguard Of The Revolution⁣

⁣

Accounts (Instagram)

⁣Rachel Cargle - @Rachel.cargle⁣

Mona Chalabi - @monachalabi ⁣

Munroe Bergdorf @munroebergdorf

Candice Brathwaite - @candicebrathwaite⁣

Akala - @akalamusic⁣

Layla F. Saad - @laylafsaad⁣

No White Saviors - @nowhitesaviors

Ava DuVernay - @Ava⁣

The Conscious Kid - @theconsciouskid⁣

Reni Eddo-Lodge - @renieddolodge⁣

Check Your Privilege - @ckyourprivilege⁣

Donation Pages

⁣Official George Floyd Go Fund Me Page. https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd⁣

⁣

Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate⁣

⁣

Run With Maud: https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maud/donate⁣

⁣

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019⁣

Grassroots Organisations In Need Of Funds.

Reclaim The Block: https://secure.everyaction.com/zae4prEeKESHBy0MKXTIcQ2

Black Visions Collective: https://secure.everyaction.com/4omQDAR0oUiUagTu0EG-Ig2

Petitions

⁣Justice For Floyd: https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd⁣

⁣

Color Of Change: https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis

Justice for Breonna Taylor: https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor

[acad3mic]

BLACK LIVES MATTER

pehttps://blacklivesmatter.com/

Change is long long long overdue. Educate yourself and recognise the space you take up in white supremacy. As non black people we must recognise the unfair advantages systemic racism has lent us, at the cost of black lives, in life and in death. Speak up against racism, take a stand against injustice, donate if you can, read up on the history, write to your local mp. Do not remove yourself from the matter simply because you’re not overtly racist. We as non black people benefit from white supremacy, and must work to be actively anti racist, not just ‘not racist’. 

Some resources to start; 

Layla F. Saad’s workbook https://www.meandwhitesupremacybook.com/

Letters in different languages to help your family/friends better understand the movement https://lettersforblacklives.com/

Minneapolis moving money from police funding to actually help the community https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/ 

A selection of resources from more places to donate, information for protestors, petitions, etc. https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co

Thread of mental health resources for black people https://twitter.com/mayarichardsun/status/1265676677549559809?s=21

Black History google doc https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0Bz011IF2Pu9TUWIxVWxybGJ1Ync 

Instagram accounts to follow: @blackinbritain @naacp @munroebergdorf @southasians4blacklives @mnwfpc (@ceevalentina has a template for writing to your mp) @laylafsaad @privtoprog 

[kinoyoga]

#blackouttuesday _ Account to follow— @rachel.cargle @chnge @privtoprog @shaunking @mixedfatchick @blackandembodied @jessicawilson.msrd @ibramxk @laylafsaad @sassy_latte @chakabars https://www.instagram.com/p/CA7w0C9nx7l/?igshid=1nekzb31criy8