By Yasmin Mang
If you, like me, are angered by the murder of George Floyd by a white policeman in the United States, and feel inspired by the ongoing protests to take action against the systemic racism present in U.S. culture, you may be wondering what you can do from over here in Germany.
Here are a few ideas that I have learned in the past weeks, things I can do as an expat.
One thing is clear to me: simply standing on the sidelines and not taking action is not enough.
Educate Myself
The most important thing that we can do, in my opinion, is listen and be willing to learn from Black American voices. We can learn from Black activists, who have been advocating for racial equality for years, what kind of support they see white allies being able to provide.
There are books, written by Black activists – now bestsellers – that are prominently listed on various online marketplaces. There are documentaries, movies, and TV shows which can teach us.
We can learn from following Black voices on social media, as well. Making sure that your feed is populated with Black voices will help you to learn.
Educate my Children
It is never too soon to talk to children about race. This is an ongoing conversation to have, not a one time mention while the topic is “trending.”
Not sure what to say? Look for recommended books, sorted by age, and educational programming to encourage them to learn as well.
VOTE
No, electing progressive or liberal public officials will not stop racism in and of itself, but allowing officials to be elected who actively work against the Black Lives Matter movement certainly will not improve things. So make sure you are registered to vote from abroad – your right as a US Citizen! – and then (and this is key), actually vote. Not just in the national elections, but also at the state and local level.
Contact your local officials
As a voting citizen, you have just as much right to contact local officials as someone still living in the U.S. Sending an email or a letter to your hometown police department or city officials, for example, to demand defunding and other pro-Black measures.
Donate – Money or Time
Donating even as little as 5€ to bail funds or other activism funds can make a difference. And if you want to do more, what about some phone banking? Either to encourage other expats to vote (check out Democrats Abroad!) or use Skype or another voice chat program to call and encourage local support.
Speak Out against Racism
Use your social media as a voice of allyship. If someone makes racist comments, challenge them! Your silence is complicity: it tells the person speaking that they can feel free to make racist comments. Pass on what you have learned.
The above is just a small list of the many many things that we as allies can do. Most importantly, now is the time to listen and learn, and support our Black sisters and brothers. Together, we can make a difference.