I Want To Protest, But I’m Scared Of COVID-19: What Can I Do?

Black Lives Matter protests have been going on for the past few weeks and I want to go. I want to do my part, I want to fight for equality, and I want to be able to show my support for the Black community. And I also want to be clear about something: these protests are facilitating change that has been needed for a long, long time. Taking part in the protests and in the Black Lives Matter movement as a whole is incredibly important. Equality and equity should be a precedent for everyone; and yet for Black people and other minorities, it is not. So we must remedy that, and the way to that remedy is through education and support. 

It is not the Black community’s job to educate us - that is our own job. By understanding the history of racial injustice and the current implications of systemic racism, we can begin to identify the specific problems within our society and we can make a plan to fix them. Protesting is an amazing way to do this. But what about COVID-19 and this pandemic we’re going through right now? I live with someone who is immunocompromised, and in less than two weeks I’m going home to stay with my family, which means I would bring a whole new host of germs into my parents’ house. COVID-19 is still very much a threat, and sadly won’t stop, even for such an important cause. So, for those of us who may not be able to be in the crowds fighting for justice, what else can we do?

Find a car caravan. There have been a handful of car caravan protests over the past couple of weeks that my roommate and I have participated in and they are a great way of showing support for the Black community without getting too close to other people. They are a way to use your voice (and your car horn!) to demand justice for those who have lost their lives and the injustices that the Black community faces daily. You can find them listed among the other protests (I’ve been looking on Facebook Events) but their descriptions usually make it clear that there is an emphasis on social distancing. By staying in your car, you can make a difference from outside of your house while avoiding the germs that are an inevitable part of large crowds. Make some signs, paint your car, yell out of your windows, and HONK! These caravans are an awesome show of support that allow participants to stay safe from COVID-19 transmission.

Read books. If you don’t feel safe protesting, education is the least you can do to contribute to change. Without learning about systemic racism, there can be no real hope of eradicating it. To change something, we must first understand it and why it is wrong. Books are an awesome place to start. And if you’re not that into reading, try audiobooks! There are a ton of books and audiobooks out there that will open your eyes to systemic racism and how it plays a role in each of our lives, as well as why it’s imperative that we fix it. I just started reading a book called Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald. This book talks about “the hidden biases we all carry from a lifetime of exposure to cultural attitudes…” I’ve also read a chunk of White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, and it is very eye-opening in regard to how white people are doing the world a disservice by shying away from uncomfortable conversations about race. Here are some other books that are on my list:

Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neal Hurston

So You Want to Talk About Race – Iljeoma Oluo

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness – Austin Channing Brown

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou

 Listen to podcasts. I totally get that we don’t all have a few hours each day to dedicate to reading, but podcasts are something you can listen to while you’re driving, doing the dishes, taking a walk-- you name it. I’ve been devouring podcasts lately, focusing especially on those that talk about systemic racism now and throughout history. These podcasts all offer amazing insight about the buildup of inequality and how we can start to fix it. Here are some of my favorites:

Code Switch – NPR

“Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race head-on. We explore how it impacts every part of society – from politics and pop culture to history, sports, and everything in between…”

 1619 – The New York Times

This podcast shares the parts of history that we didn’t learn. The part where Abraham Lincoln wanted to deport all of the slaves he emancipated. The part about how our modern economy was built on the slave trade and the cotton industry. It’s informative and extremely eye-opening.

“White Privilege, George Floyd’s Murder, and #BlackLivesMatter: A Conversation with Dom Roberts” – Okay Sis

This is a singular episode, but I highly recommend it. Dom Roberts has been using her voice on social media to educate people about racism, and how white people can be allies. This episode is raw, moving, and hugely impactful.

“Anti-Racism using Love and Grace with Dom Roberts” – MOOD with Lauren Elizabeth

I’m recommending another single episode with Dom because her voice is so powerful right now. As I mentioned, it is not the Black community’s job to educate us, but Dom has made it clear that she is willing to educate and inform. In this episode, she speaks about approaching anti-racism with love and grace. Another amazing listen!

Get involved with student groups. If you’re a college student (or a recent grad like me!), look into student groups on campus that are actively fighting for the BLM movement. Many of them are holding smaller protests with not as many people, so if you’re comfortable wearing a mask and staying 6 feet from people, these are great to attend. My roommate and I went to one recently and had no problem maintaining a wide radius from other people, and everyone was wearing a mask, so it felt very safe. If you’re not comfortable with this, don’t worry! Most of these groups have ways you can get involved, petitions you can sign, and more educational resources. Look on your school’s website, follow them on social media, or see if you know someone who can connect you!

Have conversations. This may sound generic, and it often goes without saying when we are fighting for what is right; but let me reiterate: it is so important to talk and use your voice. Not just with people who agree with you, but with people who don’t agree with you. Use all of your knowledge, everything you’ve been learning during these past couple of weeks, and try to help them understand. As I hope we’ve all heard, it is not enough to simply condemn racism – we must actively be anti-racist. Once you begin to learn about these things, the next step is talking about them.

 We’re going through some really scary times right now. As much as I wish that COVID-19 could just hit the brakes, we have no control over it. However, that is no excuse to not do your part to support the BLM movement – you simply have to find other ways. Check in on your friends, do your research, consider how racism, whether implicit or explicit, has played a role in your life. And wash your hands!