In recent weeks there has been a much needed and long overdue rise in conversations on racism. This conversation came to light after George Floyd’s murder on May 25th 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The recent events of injustice have brought to light the issues of racism and prejudice against the entire black community – and made notion of the racism against the Indigenous Australian community.  

During this time the Communication Collective Committee have spent this time focusing on educating ourselves about the history of racism and on the black lives matter movement. Our Committee always stands for change and equality and stand to support the Black community. We believe that racism is everyone’s problem, as Angelia Y. Davis stated: “it’s not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist”. 

As we continue to educate ourselves to be able to support this community, we wish to also share this information with our Communication Collective community. We believe the more we talk and share our support towards this movement, the global movement aimed at tackling racism and injustice will become stronger. 

But how can we help from Australia? Firstly, it is important to advocate for Indigenous Australians. Australia has a history of police brutality towards Indigenous Australians – this can be done through education, supporting Black and Indigenous people of colour (BIPOC) businesses, and talking and sharing information. Recourses are provided on almost every platform – Google, Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and LinkedIn. Education involves consuming information, analysing and applying the information to yourself, share the information you have learnt with others, and let the information inform your day to day behaviour. 

So, here are some recourses that the Communication Collective Committee have found useful: 

Helpful Instagram Accounts:

  • Nova Reid – @Novariedoffical 
  • Stephanie Yeboah – @StephaineYeboah – check out IGTV ‘Im tired of the white tears’
  • Chrissy Rutherford – @Chrissyford – Check out IGTV ‘its not enough to say ‘Im not racist’ 
  • The Grief Case – https://www.instagram.com/p/CA4nmLcn887/ 
  • Janaya Future Khan – @Janayathefuture – live streamed IGTV to help teach and educate white people on what they can do to help
  • Black Lives Matter – @Blacklivesmatter
  • Color of Change – @colorofchange, an activism page 
  • Good Good Good Newspaper – @goodgoodgoodco
  • Kellie Brown- @itsmekellieb
  • Sophia Roe – @sophia_roe – IGTV titled ‘Reminders, because forgetting isn’t an option’
  • Indigenous Australian Government Organisation – @indigenous_gov 

Helpful Organisations: 

  • Helping Foundation – @healingourway – A national indigenous organisation that partners with communities to address trauma caused by actions like the forced removal of children. 
  • Human Rights Law Centre – @humanrightslawcentre – Support people and communities to eliminate inequality and injustice and build a fairer, more compassionate Australia. 
  • Antar National – @antar-national – Campaign for justice, rights and respect for Australia’s first peoples. 
  • Warrevolt – @warrevolt – Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance.
  • Commonground Australia – @commongroundaustralia – Sharing first nations cultures, histories and lived experiences. First nations-led not for profit. 
  • Female Collective – @femalecollective – Where women are celebrated, uplifted, supported, and empowered every day.
  • Justice for Tanya Louise Day – @justicefortanyaday
  • Justice for Walker – @justiceforwalker
  • Color of change – @colorofchange 
  • Ethel’s Club – @ethelsclub – A social and wellness club designed to celebrate people of colour, online and IRL. 
  • The Leadership Conference – @civilrightsorg – Civil rights coalition in the United States of America.

Read to educate yourself: 

Books: 

  • Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge 
  • They Can’t Kill Us All by Wesley Lowery 
  • So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo 
  • Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates 
  • Your Silence Will Not Protect You by Audre Lorde 
  • Race Matters by Cornel West 
  • I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a world made for whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
  • How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change by Barack Obama

Articles: 

For those who prefer to watch rather than read: 

Or to listen – Podcasts: 

  • Let’s Talk about Something Uncomfortable – Race, by After Work Drinks.
  • Code Switch by NPR

Helpful Websites: 

Black Owned Businesses: 

#blackownedbusiness

  • @burruguu_art on Instagram – Indigenous artwork
  • @robynseco on Instagram – eco friendly cleaning products and services in Perth
  • @blakbusiness on Instagram – shares info about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses
  • @ausindigenousfashion on Instagram – showcases Indigenous fashion from around Australia
  • @miimiandjiinda on Instagram – Mother and daughter duo Indigenous artists
  • https://nani.com.au/ – nani creative is a graphic design partnership dedicated to designing for Aboriginal tourism, business and community projects.
  • Known Associates: https://www.knownassociates.com.au/ & @knownassociatesevents – Event Management company with a focus on collaborating with the Indigenous community – 100% aboriginally owned.

Petitions to Sign: 

Where to Donate?

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, we hope that you find these resources helpful in furthering your education on the movement. The Communication Collective are committed to make this a safe space for all people and continue to practice true allyship. As a collective we welcome conversation and correction as we continue to educate ourselves, 

From,

The Communication Collective