As the global protests against police brutality continue to surge, so too does coverage about how to support the movement and those behind it. If you are asking what you can do to help, one individual-oriented answer is to become an ally. As an ally, you commit to being actively and productively anti-racist. You commit to amplifying Black voices. You own up to your privilege and the oppression rooted in that privilege, and then use that privilege to the advantage of the cause.

This guide is intended as a resource for white people who want to take action, though others may find it useful as well. It is a starting point; you must go beyond these suggestions and commit to long-term action.

Dos of Allyship

• Do listen.
• Do educate yourself.
• Do own your history.
• Do engage in conversations.
• Do show up.
• Do open your purse.
• Do use your voice. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable; growth often is.

Don’ts of Allyship

• Don’t ask your Black friends and peers what to do or how you can help. It is not their responsibility to be your private resource for an anti-racist education—you must do that work on your own.
• Don’t assume all Black people think the same way, or that you know what they think. You don’t get to decide who’s right or wrong. Just listen.
• Don’t take credit for work done by the Black community.
• Don’t be paralyzed by “white guilt” or by fear that you’ll mess up. Nobody is perfect, and your solidarity matters more than your anxiety.
• Don’t prioritize your feelings or your story over those of Black people. Now is the time to listen and support, not to take the spotlight.
• Don’t try to compare your personal struggles. Instead, let that empathy fuel your solidarity and supportive actions.

Social Media Best Practices

Posting on social media is a key action white people can take right now. Anxious about getting “political” on your channels? Worried about losing followers? That hesitation is a reflection of the discomfort you feel in beginning to do the uncomfortable work of being anti-racist—not just “not racist.” Do the uncomfortable work that will help our society abandon the institutions that perpetuate inequality and allow violence against Black people.

As an ally, follow these considerations online:

• Do not share content that shows trauma or violence being inflicted upon Black folks; it could add to existing trauma. And be careful with what you Like on Twitter—that content may be displayed to your followers too.
• Start following Black accounts instead of simply reposting what your white friends are sharing, and take the time to look at what those accounts are saying and who the people behind them are.
• Use your platform to share helpful resources, or ask friends to match your recent donations.
• Use your platform to start conversations with other white people.
• Please, no more solid-black squares. Posting them is an empty gesture of performative activism: an action taken for the sheer purpose of increasing one’s social capital, instead of truly supporting (or caring) about a cause. If you’re doing it to be trendy, it is not activism; it’s self-indulgent and hollow.
• Be a critical thinker. Just because you’ve seen something reposted a bunch of times by people you like doesn’t mean you should too; it may not be in line with what you truly support. Think carefully and inform yourself before taking action.

Conversation Starters

Using social media to show your allyship is important, but are you practicing your preach offline? (Remember, not everyone uses social media.) Having conversations with family, friends, colleagues or people in your community is a necessity for allies. Talk about what you have seen or been thinking about, check each other, and encourage each other. But more important, when opening up conversations with your family and friends about racism or the BLM protests, if your talk begins with Black struggle, stop yourself. You must first address and acknowledge your privileged position as a white person. Here are some ways to kick off the conversation:

• Set clear and productive goals for the conversation. A goal can help ground conversations if they get confusing, heated or derailed. Refocus the discussion when needed, avoid microaggressions and stay calm—don’t get defensive.
• Ask others to elaborate on their opinions instead of shutting them down immediately. Be mindful of tone and language; conversations are pathways to understanding and to education.
• Recommend to your friends and family members a book, an article, a movie or TV show that deals directly with systemic racism or the Black experience. This will give you all something shared to talk about; use it as a springboard for a discussion that you can go back to.
• Share and discuss your news sources.
• Look to various Instagram guides that have popped up recently:
  • Jen Winston (@jenerous) compiled a guide with nine suggestions on how to talk to your family about racism.
  • Anna Edwards (@dwardslife) put together a two-part guide on “What to Say When People Deny the Reality of What’s Happening Right Now.” Uninformed remarks about racism, police brutality, all lives matter and more still abound; Edwards has created a handy guide on how best to engage with and respond to the (usually white) people making the comments.

Self-Education

Educational resources and recommendations have surged over the past two weeks. Check them out, and as you incorporate anti-racist works into your regular reading routine, be sure to include historical volumes as well as newer content.

Take time to reflect on yourself and your own life and experiences. Our society and the structures within it have been shaped by white supremacy since this country was founded. Reflect on your personal beliefs and the structures that have benefited you as a non-Black person. Understanding how you fit into the systemic racism in this country is an important step in understanding the history of systemic racism in this country.

Act Locally

• Vote! Make sure you are registered. Do your ballot research for upcoming local elections, and show up on Election Day armed with the knowledge of which candidates support justice and equality. Local races directly impact city funding and resource allocations (such as defunding the police), as well as who runs police commissions and other important entities. The presidential election is this November, but there will be many other races on the ballot—start doing your research now.
• If you are able to physically show up at a protest, that’s great. If you are not, that’s okay too. There are ways to be helpful from home: You could call your local representatives, donate, sign petitions, call a friend or family member, sign up for vote-by-mail.
• A great way to ensure long-term support for Black communities is to buy from Black-owned businesses. Check out your local bookstores and restaurants. Start following and investing in Black-owned clothing companies and beauty brands; Ava Nirui (@avanope) has put together an ongoing list of Black fashion brands to support. Be mindful about where you spend your dollars.
• Check in on your Black friends, family, loved ones and close colleagues by letting them know you’re available for support. This is not a time to reach out to your Black acquaintances or people you are not close with. Before texting or calling, read Jesse Sparks’s great guide to ”How to Check in With Your Black Friends Right Now.” Make sure you have something to say beyond asking “How are you?” and that you have concrete plans for other supportive actions.

The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Tony McDade are not isolated incidents; they are representative of a broader pattern of police violence against Black bodies, and are the result of institutions and white supremacy that enable it. As an ally, your support should not end when the news coverage fades out. Continue to hold yourself and your community accountable. Keep caring, keep talking, keep growing, keep learning, keep donating (if you’re able), keep calling and keep showing up.