#BlackLivesMatter Resources Page
Student Involvement at UWM stands with our Black students, staff, faculty, and members of the campus community. We acknowledge that while UWM is the most diverse public university in Wisconsin, we are a predominantly white and imperfect institution where racism and Black oppression still occur.
As part of our commitment to social justice and inclusion, we will continue to educate ourselves and do the work that is needed to dismantle systems of oppression that have for so long held down and hurt Black individuals and other people of color. Student Involvement at UWM stands in solidarity against racism and violence.
Below are resources designed primarily for White and non-Black allies to educate oneself on issues of racism and oppression. We have also included opportunities for anyone to take action.
We will continue to update this page with resources. Have a suggestion? Email activities@uwm.edu!
CONNECT: Check in with Black people in your life and connect with organizations that are taking action.
Do you have 10 minutes?- Check-in with your Black friends, members, family and loved ones. Do not put the burden of your own education on them but ask how you can support them now and moving forward.
- Follow organizations on social media:
- Local Milwaukee Groups:
- Read up on how to talk to your family about racism.
- Actually talk to your friends and family about racism.
LEAD: Make a choice to become actively anti-racist and lead others.
Do you have 10 minutes?- Sign a petition and put your signature to work!
- Who to text:
- Text FLOYD to 55-156
- Text JUSTICE to 66-8336
- Text ENOUGH to 55-165
- Register to vote.
- Screenshot, share, and repost resources to educate those around you.
- Do not center the narrative around you; identify your privilege and condemn it.
- Stop supporting organizations that promote hate.
- Be an ally and advocate after the outrage ends.
- Research Black-led organizations you want to support and make a donation.
- Attend a peaceful protest: find one near you.
CREATE: Support Black artists, business owners, and creators in the Milwaukee area and beyond.
Do you have 10 minutes?- People of Craft: a curated account featuring creatives of color
- Some more accounts to follow or check out:
- @african_american_roundtablemke
- @bronzevillecollectivemke
- Read about the artists that created the now-famous protest art for George Floyd.
- Make a protest sign.
- The Cyberlaw Guide to Protest Art: how to legally protect your own protest art
LEARN: Learn about the history of racism in America and what you can do now to unlearn racist ideologies.
Do you have 10 minutes?- Pick something to do from one of the following lists:
- Audit your social media feed. Go through who you follow and ensure that you are not only listening to Black voices in real life, but also on the Internet.
- Listen to The Daily to keep up on what you need to know today.
- There are lots of great anti-racist book lists out right now – here’s one.
- Watch a documentary or historically-accurate movie:
- 13th Documentary (also available with Netflix subscription)
- King in the Wilderness ($4 to rent on Amazon, also available with HBO GO or Hulu subscription)
- I Am Not Your Negro (free with Amazon Prime)
- Just Mercy
- Rachel Cargle’s The Great Unlearn, a self-paced online course to aid in unlearning racism.
- Listen to a podcast.
- NPR episode about Whistling Vivaldi
- Side Effects of White Women Podcast Episode with Amanda Seales
- Smartest Person in the Room’s episode on Well-Meaning White People
- Still Processing episode on Kaepernick
- White Lies (NPR)
- Unlocking Us with Brene Brown and Ibram X Kendi
EXPLORE: Take the time for self-reflection on important questions and considerations.
Do you have 10 minutes?- Look at the data. Find a survey or study you had not previously read.
- Journal Prompts from @chnge:
- What can you do to support POC in your community?
- What are your local politicians’ policies on ending police brutality?
- When were you taught about race and culture?
- How do you plan on helping to fight to end racial discrimination and systematic oppression?
- How can you use anti-racist knowledge to change and progress conversations with friends, family, and peers?
- How can you be actively anti-racist instead of simply “not racist”?
- What do you want to learn more about?
- Talk with a licensed therapist to explore how you’re feeling. Norris Health Center & University Counseling are available.
- Don’t lean on Black people to educate you or assuage your guilt.
- If you can’t meet with a therapist, try talking to a trusted white peer, colleague, friend, or family member about how you’re feeling.
- Journal and self-reflect on your own.
CELEBRATE: Recognize the Black leaders in our community and celebrate their work.
Do you have 10 minutes?- MKE Black: an app to find Black-owned businesses in Milwaukee
- Support Black Owned: a search engine to find Black-owned businesses anywhere
- Listen to a Black Lives Matter playlist featuring Black artists and musicians.
- The NAACP Image Awards: an annual celebration of Black entertainers