I’ve always strongly thought of myself as a non-racist, but after spending most of my weekend listening to the Black community and feeling their pain, I realized:
I’m not doing nowhere near as much as I can to help. And you’re probably not, either.
That needs to change.
I wanted to make sure we all have access to important resources to use your white privilege to actually help, rather than stay silent.
Along with calling out racism in your own networks (including at home), please spend a few minutes going through these resources to learn more and support the Black community.
Here’s some reading material to start with:
- ​How white people can be anti-racist​
- How to be an ally to Black people​
- ​Why the future needs more Black businesses​
- ​How to check-in on your Black friends​
Books to read:
- Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
- Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World by Layla F. Saad
(None of the above are affiliate links.)
Once you’ve read them, read some from Bustle’s list.
If you can’t afford any of these books but want to read one, send me your address via email. I’ll buy a book for 5 people.
But whilst we can read and promote content like this, we need to actually do something about it.
Here are some things to do right now:
- ​Sign these petitions​
- ​Donate to one of these funds, if you can
- Donate to one of these bail funds, if you can
- Add any Black marketers you know to this thread​
- If you’re protesting, use your privilege to protect Black people (here’s the perfect example.)
6 ways to make your marketing more inclusive
I hope those reading materials and mini actions get the ball rolling for you.
But this isn’t just a one-off thing that you should forget about.
I think we all need to change our entire marketing workflows, and challenge our existing processes, to support the Black/POC community.
For me, that includes:
- Use businesses owned by Black people or POC for your examples. Writers use examples to explain their point or concept. Don’t use over-used, overhyped companies like Amazon to explain your point. Make sure your examples include Black or POC-owned businesses. Shopify curated a great list you can use as a starting point.
- Ask marketers of color to contribute to your content, and use responses (with credit) in your content. You should be using your platform + privilege to make the marketing world more diverse and inclusive. Help non-white voices get heard.
​ - Email the conferences you’re attending if they don’t have POC speakers. Recommend some Black/POC speakers (and request a refund if they don’t listen or change the line-up.)
- Make a conscious effort to refer POC when you’re passing on jobs. Referrals are everything in the freelance world. If you’re helping a company find a freelance writer, don’t just refer the white people you know. Make your list more diverse.
- Use stock photos that show people of color. Some great resources include: Illustrations of Black People, WOCinTech Chat images, and Death to the Stock Photo.
- If you’re working for a company, send this to your boss and put pressure on them to act on it.
If you’re Black or a POC (or know anyone who is) and need any marketing/freelancing help, please let me know what I can do for you.
Even if that’s just a signal boost in the marketing world, or ongoing mentoring, I want to use my privilege help.
Tell me how I can do that.
If there’s anything in here that you’ve found offensive, is incorrect, or poorly worded, please let me know. I’m always learning, I’m here to listen, and I want to make sure that this is a safe and respectful space for everyone.
