Dear Monsters,
At Monstering, we have always been dedicated “to upholding and uplifting diverse voices.” Our main goal has always been to provide a safe space for disabled and chronically ill people to make themselves heard—but this by no means should come at the cost of excluding LGBTQ+ or BIPOC voices. On the contrary, we have always believed in intersectionality, and in work that explores it.
We hope, then, that it does not come as a surprise to our readers when we say that Monstering is 100% behind the #BlackLiveMatter movement.
Over on Twitter, we have been sharing resources and petitions which we hope have been of some use to our followers. We are a small magazine, and do not have the biggest reach, however this cannot stop us—and should not stop you—from speaking out against racism, and from supporting the Black community in the fight for justice and an end to police brutality.
We are currently looking into ways that we, as a magazine, can provide more material support to the Black community. But, in the meantime, we have put together this list of resources which we hope will be of use to our readers. This list is by no means exhaustive and should not be treated as such. Please do some research for yourself into what other causes you can support. White people and non-Black POC, please educate yourselves on anti-racism and what it means. Sit with the discomfort, and pass on what you have learned.
We have reached a crucial point in all of this. It has been two weeks since George Floyd’s murder. It has been two weeks of protest and rebellion. Two weeks of signing petitions, donating to bail funds, amplifying Black voices. But this battle is far from over, and we cannot afford to lose momentum now. The work does not stop here.
Look after yourselves. Rest up. Refresh. But don’t give up. Rest so you can come back fighting. Refresh so you can do what needs to be done, day in, day out.
Take care, and look after one another,
Zara Williams
Editor-In-Chief
FUNDRAISERS, INCLUDING BAIL FUNDS AND MEMORIAL FUNDS
Black Minds Matter UK
Black LGBTQIA+ Therapy Fund
Homeless Black Trans women fund
Justice for Breonna Taylor
Official Brandon Saenz Medical Fund
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
Split your donation between 70+ bail funds, mutual aid funds, and racial justice organisers
UKBLM Fund
ORGANISATIONS TO JOIN AND/OR SUPPORT
Advancement Project
American Civil Liberties Union
Black Health Alliance
Black Legal Action Centre
Black Lives Matter
Black and Pink
Campaign Zero
Color of Change
Communities United for Police Reform
LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund
The Loveland Foundation — Therapy Fund for Black Women and Girls
The Movement for Black Lives
National Police Accountability Project
The Okra Project
PETITIONS (Note: Please do NOT donate to Change.org.)
This Carrd has links to a number of petitions, some of which are included below, and a list of zip codes to use to sign petitions if you are international.
This Google doc has an extensive list of links to other petitions and donations.
Disbarment of George E. Barnhill
Justice for Ahmuad Arbery
Justice for Big Floyd
#JusticeForBre
Justice for Breonna Taylor
Justice for George Floyd
Justice for Regis Korchinski
Justice for Tamir Rice
Justice for Tony McDade
Mandatory Life Sentence for Police Brutality
RESOURCES
28 Essential Books About Race and Racism
A Guide to Allyship
Antiracism Resources
Black Lives Matter and Say Their Names — links to petitions, donations, and resources
BLM List of Various Resources
Black Mental Health Matters — mental health resources for Black people, including crisis lines
Folder of free PDFs of critical readings
List of free/affordable mental health resources
List of resources including information for protestors and for self-care
Masterlist of Resources and Actions
Thread of free PDFs of books about race, police abolition, class, etc.
Thread of ways to donate for free through streaming; another here.
Use Your Voice — staying safe during protests, and what to bring
SUPPORTING BLACK BUSINESSES AND ARTISTS
400+ Black-Owned Etsy Shops
Black Creators Matter
Supporting Black Artists and Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis
Thread of Black-owned makeup, skincare, hair and fashion brands
Thread of Black creators you can support