Life
Here’s How To Keep Supporting Black Women In Politics After The Upset In Alabama
If you’ve logged into Twitter today, you’ve probably been bombarded by tweets thanking Black women for saving America (again), but it’s been time to start thanking Black women with more than performative tweets, and thank Black women with cash. If you’re inspired by Doug Jones’ victory, support Black women-run political organizations. There are plenty, and monetary support can help them keep making a positive difference in their communities.
Last night, Alabama elected a Democrat to state office for the first time in 25 years. Doug Jones beat Roy Moore by over 20,000 votes despite voter suppression efforts and an endorsement by the President of the United States and the Republican National Committee. As many pointed out, the 2017 political bar is extremely low, but, hey, at least the good people of Alabama managed to clear this hurdle.
But not all voters are equally responsible for this victory. Exit polls show that 65 percent of white women voted for Roy Moore, who had been accused of sexual assault, harassment, and improper relationships with underage girls. Black women, however, showed up in impressive numbers; 97 percent of them voted for Doug Jones, according to exit polls. And despite being only 13.9 percent of Alabama’s population, Black women were 18 percent of the voting population in last night’s Senate race.
Compliments and gratitude are nice, but if you really want to thank Black women, put your money where your tweets are, and support these organizations helping to advance Black women.
1Advancement Project
The Advancement Project is a civil rights organization that engages with folks of all races and generations. Judith Browne Dianis and her team use legal analysis and public education campaigns to dismantle and reform the unjust and inequitable policies, such as voter suppression policies in Georgia. Donate here.
2Me Too
As we've seen this past year, Me Too has empowered so many people to speak out against sexual assault. This movement was started 10 years ago by Tarana Burke, and it inspired this year’s TIME Person of the Year — The Silence Breakers. Support Me Too by donating.
3Black Lives Matter
After George Zimmerman was acquitted of killing Trayvon Martin, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi created Black Lives Matter, a member-led organization that currently has over 40 chapters around the world. Black Lives Matter is a factual statement, an affirmation, and a direct-action political group that challenges America to do better. You can donate and find your local chapter.
4IMPACT Strategies
All the Democrats running for office in 2018 and 2020 can use the services of IMPACT Strategies, a political advocacy firm founded by Angela Rye (pictured above). If you have your own political organization or are running for office, as many women have done in the wake of the 2016 election, you can support IMPACT by using their services, which include strategic message development, political brand strategy, and social media strategy.
5Essie Justice
Essie Justice aims to transform the criminal justice system by organizing women who have incarcerated loved ones. Essie Justice’s membership includes Black and Latinx women, formerly and currently incarcerated women, trans women, and gender nonconforming people, and is lead by Gina Clayton. You can donate to Essie Justice.
6Black Youth Project 100
BYP100 is an activist, member-based organization of Black 18 to 35 year olds who are dedicated to advancing wide-reaching public policy changes that create a more equitable economy and freedom and justice for all Black people. BYP100 is lead by Charlene Carruthers. Your donation to BYP100 will help train, organize, and mobilize a national membership of young Black activists.
7Women's March
The Women’s March made history in January by being the largest protest in the history of the United States. There is still work to be done, and the Women’s March organization is currently providing intersectional education, outreach programs, and resources for grassroots activists and organizers. Tamika D. Mallory is one of four co-chairs for the Women’s March on Washington. You can help them reach their fundraising goal by donating here.
8Campaign Zero
Campaign Zero envisions a world where no one is killed by the police. Brittany Packnett and the other members of the planning team at Campaign Zero believe policy solutions that are informed by data, research, and human rights principles can make this happen. Support Campaign Zero by donating and proposing policy solutions to end police violence.
9Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Changes in immigration policy hurts Black people too. BAJI educates and engages Black American and Black immigrant communities to organize and advocate for racial, social, and economic justice. In addition to being a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, Opal Tometi is the executive director of BAJI. Donate here.
10Safety Pin Box
Marissa Johnson and Leslie Mac created the Safety Pin Box, a monthly subscription service for white people striving to be allies in the fight for Black Liberation. Access to an exclusive podcast, Facebook group, and webinar are some of the benefits of the Safety Pin Box. If you’re white, the service is a great resource to learn (and unlearn) about white supremacy and to give directly to Black women.
11Black Girls Vote
Black Girls Vote was founded by Nykidra Robinson to inspire women of color to use the political process to improve the quality of life for their families and the collective community. Because believe it or not, Black women vote in our own self-interest, too.
Black women aren’t superhumans sent here to save everyone else but ourselves. We need support and resources too. Donating money to organizations that work to help Black women is one of many ways you can support Black women.
