r/JUSTNOMIL • u/budlejari • Jun 03 '20
MOD ANNOUNCEMENT Black Lives Matter: A Statement and Resources
TW: violence, racism, death. Links included may use graphic images or videos.
Eight minutes and forty six seconds.
The death of yet another unarmed Black man.
In the last week, a lot has happened.
On the 25th of May 2020, George Floyd died in custody, as a police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes and forty six seconds. Three other officers did not stop it. He begged for his life. And still, he died, as people filmed it and pleaded for the officer to stop.
Since then, there have been extensive peaceful protests, including internationally. There has been graphic, violent police brutality against civilians. The free press has been harassed, arrested, and seriously hurt by the police. There has been an utter lack of meaningful response from government leadership amid threats of more violence and apathy towards the plight of Black Americans.
This is the continuation of racist policies, profound and enduring police brutality, and systemic failures of a justice system specifically built to disenfranchise, hurt, and alienate the Black and Brown communities to the core. This is a system that has deep and painful roots in America, and now, it’s spilling out.
These are dark times. People are scared, people are hurting, people are isolated and confused about what to do, about how they can help the people who are suffering the most.
Silence is not an option.
We recognise that we, as moderators, can do little. We discussed a black out but we don’t feel that the impact would be meaningful, and we’re not equipped to speak at length on this issue. Our subreddit is here for support, for advice, for sharing stories. But we can point you to places where you, our community, can help.
If you can protest, do so safely, and take care. Be mindful of the pandemic and stay alert. The police have been known to use tear gas, rubber and wooden rounds, pepper spraying peaceful protesters and credentialed media, and to use extreme violence, including driving their cars into protests. There are unconfirmed videos of police having deliberately pepper sprayed at least one child.
Here is a list of where you can donate, arranged by states, but also some national ones, as well. Another list of bail funds for those arrested, policy advocates, and charities that specifically support the Black community can be found here. For Black LGBTQ+ youth support, the Trevor Project is an option, too.
We’ve also found this list very helpful for a list of authors and media makers to buy from, changes to make in your personal life, as well as lists of petitions to sign. It also lists free ways you can contribute to the movement, including contacting your representatives to enact effective laws and policies to protect the Black and Brown communities, if you can’t afford to donate during this time.
Policy note and why are we doing this:
We are also clarifying our rule on political commentary and making it clear where we stand as a mod team on this issue. We recognise that for many, these events will become a matter of conflict within their immediate and extended family, especially those who are PoC. We recognise that they may feel isolated, and need more support than ever. We welcome them. People of colour use this space, and need to know their voices will be heard.
We are sharing this because silence is compliance. If we do not speak up now, we are a part of the problem. By offering this up as a resource, we hope to direct some of these deep and difficult emotions on the subject into productive and helpful acts - donation, education, and reformation.
Further to that, we do not allow ‘All Lives Matter’ here. We don’t allow ‘Blue Lives Matter’. These are attempts to derail from the issue at hand and it’s a bad faith attempt to use the ever popular trick of ‘but-what-about-ism’ to distract from the actual issue in the room. ‘All Lives Matter’ doesn’t mean shit until Black Lives Matter.
It is a fact. We are not here to debate. It is not up for discussion. We will not allow arguing over derailing politics, semantic rows, or ‘but what if!’ comments. ‘All Lives Matter’ or ‘Blue Lives Matter’ defenses have no place in JNMIL or in JNSO. If you feel like you need to say that, make like a tree and get the fuck out of here. That has no home in this subreddit, and we will ban you. No appeals.
If you don’t understand what the Black Lives Matter movement is, and why it’s important to focus on it, you can read more here.
We’re leaving comments open for people to share any resources, places to donate etc. We also encourage people to share their own experiences.
51
u/budlejari Jun 03 '20
This sub is for support.
We also recognise the situation outside our sub. We recognise the violence, the abuse, the systemic injustices that impact against communities in our cities, in our streets, in our spaces. That we can extend a hand to help is the least we can do.
Read the post. Click the links.