Friday Frontend: Black Lives Matter Edition

Hey there,

This week has been surreal. We’ve seen protests in cities across every one of the 50 states in the US, and supporting protests across the country. 

There have been many clear videotaped unprovoked acts of violence by police against protestors, journalists, and unaffiliated bystanders in big cities in both liberal and conservative states. Many many buildings vandalized and looted. There seem to be anarchist/violent elements from both left and right trying to take advantage of peaceful protests to create chaos.

This week, I’m not going to try to pretend everything is well in the world, or even that we can tune this out by reading some technology articles. This is a time when we must open our eyes, we must seek to understand, and to help.

You don’t have to believe all police are bad to understand the situation. I believe many folks who go into those roles do so out of a legitimate desire to help and protect. But many do not. And many of our cities and police departments are set up not to prevent wrongdoing, but in fact to enforce centuries old policies of white supremacy and inflict harm on immigrants, the poor and above all in the US, harm to Black people.

This cannot stand. I stand with the protestors, and so this week instead of resources about front-end development, I’ve included below resources for those who want to learn more about what has brought us to this place, and what you can do to help. 

Best,

KBall from ZenDev

What led to this? 

While the trigger episode for this round of protests was the death of George Floyd in a videotaped police execution, to understand what is going on you need to begin to understand systemic racism in the United States. Here are some articles, audio, and books that have been recommended by Black activists.

Seeing White (Audio)

A series of in-depth podcast episodes exploring the history of ‘whiteness’ in the United States.

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (book)

Count me in the crowd of white people who grew up SUPER-uncomfortable talking about race. It was “invisible”. I thought it was an old problem, something that wasn’t around any more. I was very, very wrong. This is one of several books and resources that have helped me start to learn and grow and understand the extent to which that “invisibility” is part of the system of white privilege that has helped me and actively held down Black people and other people of color.

#CauseAScene

This is a podcast & related resources by Kim Crayton, who has been one of the Black activists I’ve learned the most from. Kim is abrasive, and she makes me uncomfortable, and that’s part of the point and why I appreciate her so much. Change doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable. Kim shines a light on white supremacy in and how it shows up every day, though she focuses especially in the tech industry.

What Can I Do?

8 Can't Wait

A set of clear, research-backed policies that are shown to reduce police violence. Gives you clear requests to make in a call to your mayor/city council/other local representatives.

How to be an Anti-Racist (book)

Brilliant book that shines a light on the systemic nature of racism. Helpful for understanding what you can do to help change that system, as well as for why it’s unproductive to ask the question about whether any one individual is racist. Intent to be a racist isn’t the relevant question, it’s whether we are acting in ways to support or dismantle the existing racist systems that is more relevant.

White Guyde To The Galaxy

Article written by Tatiana Mac (prominent activist in the tech community) on things that white men can do right now if they’re ready to take action.

Save the Tears: White Woman's Guide

Parallel article for things that white women can do right now if they’re ready to take action.

Who should I donate to?

The Bail Project

A national nonprofit organization paying bail to get folks out of jail.

Campaign Zero

A nonprofit organization focused on ending police violence in America.

ProPublica

A source of nonprofit independent journalism that is shining a light on criminal justice issues throughout the country.