Image by Betty Martin from Pixabay
The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and other related hashtags have been trending on almost every social media platform all around the world after the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Activists, broadcasters, celebrities, community leaders, journalists, politicians, religious leaders and members of the public have updated their Twitter profiles to include #BlackLivesMatter in their bios. Additionally, millions of people have signed petitions and are writing letters to their local politicians in support of #BlackLivesMatter.
Social media users are also sharing other instances of extreme brutality committed by the police against Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups (BAME) not just in the USA but also in other Western countries including the UK.
The above instances of online activism are good but they are not good enough, especially if you live outside the United States but still care about the #BlackLivesMatter. Of course this online activism is absolutely essential to maintain public pressure on politicians and keep holding the police accountable for their inhumane actions.
However, there is so much more that can be done to alleviate the suffering of those who are the victims of an unjust bail system and those protesting against police brutality. We must do more to help the people peacefully demonstrating against the murder of George Floyd and against other instances of police brutality. We ought to help the organisation and institutions that can make an immediate, positive difference amidst the widespread oppression and suffering.
That’s precisely why I decided to donate to the ‘Minnesota Freedom Fund’. As an individual from an ethnic minority background who lives outside the United States and still cares about the injustice being faced by ethnic minorities in other countries, the ‘Minnesota Freedom Fund’ is a great organisation one ought to support. The Minnesota Freedom Fund “pays jail bonds for those who cannot afford to fight discriminatory and coercive jailing”, according to the American singer Halsey’s social media post.
Another reason for me donating to the aforementioned organisation is that no human rights or civil rights movement can ever be successful without financial resources. That’s just a fact, however bitter that may be. Yes, social media engagement and petitions make a difference but donations make a much bigger difference. Donations allow organisations to campaign in a professional and structured manner, donations permit organisation to carry on their much needed work even after the social media pressure and protests wind down.
The unjust and unfair law enforcement system in the USA is not likely to go away any time soon. Therefore it is essential and absolutely critical that we support organisations like the Minnesota Freedom Fund so they can continue helping the victims of this unjust system.
There are also a number of organisations already doing great work. You can simply scan the Twitter accounts of celebrities like Halsey to discover the amazing institutions standing up for human rights, civil liberties and a fairer justice system.
Whichever human rights or civil rights organisations you decide to support, the important thing is to donate because they are the backbone of this human rights movement.
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Raza Hussain is an award-winning writer: the Extra-Mile winner of the News Quest Young Reporter Scheme 2014 and the recipient of the ‘Talent for Writing’ certificate by Young Writers. He was also awarded the ‘Prize for Outstanding achievement is Sociology‘. Twitter: @M_RAZA5 | Instagram: @M.Raza.H_
