“King of the Long March,” Civil Rights compilation by Verneda Lights.
Freedom Manifesto: 20 Things You Can Do to End Racism in America
Racism is a problem that keeps our nation from reaching its maximum potential by denying the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to multiple classes of citizens. Despite hundreds of years of protests, the haters of blacks and other racial and economically disadvantaged groups continue to strategize in favor of oppression so that they can continue to cultivate a culture of white privilege and reap its economic benefits. But racism and greed are not eternal behemoths. They cannot exist without someone to feed it. Cut off their energy supply, and they will die. All we (black people, workers of all classes) have to do is, (do like the good Lord says), “be still.” (#BeStill)
African-Americans have protested unconstitutional laws and abuses of justice that perpetuate systemic oppression for hundreds of years. The Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s kindled the dream that we “shall overcome someday.” The reality is, we have already overcome: We just don’t know it. “How is that?” you say. When you think about it the math is simple. It’s the change of heart and mind that’s hard.
Black people in America have spending power at least equal to $1 trillion annually. There are many nations who have less annual income. But it’s what we do with the money that we already have that will determine whether we will overcome. In a very real sense, racism continues because it is profitable for those who practice it. So the way to end racism is to starve it at its roots. Cut off its money supply.
The way to starve racism is quite simple: Close your fists around every penny you earn. Stop spending. Pay bills and save, and nothing else. Racism is a lifestyle choice that cannot survive if we refuse to give it our money. It really is that simple. Like Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” we have the power to exit our situation. We have to raise our fists, but we also have to close that fist around all our income, forever.
Marching and protests are important, but what’s even more important is how we chose to live. With that in mind, here are 20 simple lifestyle decisions you can make that will starve racism into oblivion. Please share them with everybody you know. Are you ready?
- Pay your bills, pay your tithes and offerings, and save the rest at a bank that respects you. Ask for a plan that helps you earn interest on your checking and savings accounts.
- Go to church and take your kids with you. Families that go to church have children that are more likely to get an education and stay out of trouble.
- Pray regularly. Prayer and meditation reduces stress. It also makes you a candidate for miracles, and who couldn’t use a couple of them??
- Register to vote!!!!! Get your friends to register too!!!
- Know who your senators and representatives are. Go online and check their voting records. Share what you learn with friends and family. This will help you to get the right people in office.
- Stay on top of your health issues, and keep your doctors’ appointments.
- Health is wealth, because healthy people are better able to work! Health bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in this nation. So, exercise and lose weight, to reduce your risk of chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer.
- Get 8 hours of sleep every night. If you have to, get the TV out of your bedroom! Make sure your kids get enough sleep too!! Sleep deprivation makes you tired, less alert, impairs your memory, and makes you prone to diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. So go to bed on time!
- Wear the clothes and shoes you already have. Give what you are no longer able to wear away.
- Refuse to buy drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.
- Refuse to buy designer clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc. They are exorbitantly priced and the money you spend will not find its way back into our communities.
- Don’t buy music from anyone who sings, raps, (whatever!) about black people harming, using, abusing, etc. other black people or anyone else!
- Check yourself every time you buy something – even if it’s a stick of gum. Before you buy anything, ask yourself: Is this item moving me closer to freedom or further away from it.
- Only patronize businesses that treat you fairly and do not oppress their workers’ wages.
- Choose which stores you will boycott: Stores like Kroger and Target that allow open carriage of guns should be on everyone’s “no-shopping” list. Every family should make a list of places they will boycott and stick to it!
- Don’t shop on the weekends! Don’t go shopping after you get paid. Businesses depend upon getting their weekend fix from your funds. Saturday is the day they really cash in, so try your best to not buy anything on weekends, but especially Saturdays. Make this an ongoing thing for your household!
- Always know where your child is. Take an active, watchful interest in your child’s education! Go to every PTA meeting! Help your child with homework, and always take vigorous action if your child is making C’s, D’s, or F’s.
- Refuse to have sex or “shack up” with anyone you are not married to. Single parenting contributes to poverty. Take contraception seriously.
- Don’t go clubbing! Stay at home, or hang out at a friend’s home. Imagine what bills you could pay off if you saved all your club money!
- Be computer literate. The Internet is the world’s largest library, with lots of free learning tools. Check your public library for free classes that will help you to become computer literate. People who don’t go online, miss out.
Everything on the list is doable. Every item benefits you, your family, friends, and community. You not be able to wrap your mind around everything, but choose some of the things and follow through everyday. Share, share, share, share, share this information!
When racists and their institutions start to crumble, you’ll be grateful you were willing to change. Can you think of more things to add to the list? Please share! Hit up social media with your recommendations! Use the hashtag: #BeStill. Until next time! God bless, Verneda
