The recent protests against police brutality and the horrific unlawful killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, and Tony McDade have inspired millions to take the necessary steps to dismantle discriminatory attitudes and practices rooted in American life, both publicly and implicitly. This has taken various forms including (but not limited to) public demonstrations, initiatives for raising awareness, paying close attention and giving voice to the members of the black community, shopping intentionally, and of course making a donation.
And while not all of us can participate in a protest, we can definitely extend a helping hand by contributing to a charity committed to making a difference.
When it comes to donating, you can either distribute your funds equally between 5 or more charities of your choice, or pick one cause that resonates the most with you and give it your all.
Whichever option feels right to you, whenever you’re ready to contribute, here’s a comprehensive list of causes that need funding.
Victim Memorial Funds
If your heart goes out to the families who are suffering due to the horrific unjust acts of police brutality, consider donating to these victim memorial funds:
–George Floyd Memorial Fund
–I Run With Maud
–James Scurlock Memorial Fund
–Tony Mcdade Memorial Fund
–David McAtee Memorial Fund
–Gianna Floyd Fund
–Justice for Breonna Taylor
Bail Funds
As if things were not worse enough, taking the police brutality forward, the officials have arrested innocent people who were protesting for justice. If you would like to help raise money for bailing out these civilians, consider donating to these bail funds:
–The Bail Project
–National Bail Out
–National Bail Fund Network COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
–Atlanta Solidarity Fund
–Louisville Community Bail Fund
–Chicago Community Bond Fund
–Philadelphia Bail Fund
–Nashville Community Bail Fund
–Dallas Bail Fund for Protesters
–(F)empower Community Bond Fund
–People’s Program Bail Out Fund; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
–Columbus Freedom Fund; Columbus, Ohio
Community Restoration Organizations & Funds
Most local businesses have been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic. The black community has suffered the most owing to the unjust treatment and police violence. If you would like to help restoring the community and rebuilding local businesses, consider donating to the following community restoration organizations.
– Mutual Aid
–Minnesota Rapid Response Coalition; Twin Cities, Minnesota
–The Lake Street Council; Minneapolis, Minnesota
–Pimento Relief Fund; Minneapolis, Minnesota
–West Broadway Business & Area Coalition; Minneapolis, Minnesota
–Rebuilding Oakland Black Businesses Fund; Oakland, California
–My Block My Hood My City; Chicago, Illinois
Community Organizations Serving Disabled BIPOC
With the world erupting in chaos, having access to medical facilities is crucial. Disabled BIPOC, out of everyone are having the hardest time securing access to even the most basic healthcare facilities. The following organizations are taking proactive steps to ensure the disabled BIPOC community is provided with timely medical care. They also offer quality education programs and essential services to help them cope with what is happening. If you would like to aid in the facilitation of medical and education facilities for the BIPOC community, consider donating to the following organizations.
–Helping Educate to Advance the Rights of Deaf Communities
–Ramp Your Voice! With Vilissa
–Autistic People of Color Fund
–Disability Justice Culture Club
–Sins Invalid
–The Harriet Tubman Collective
Mental Health Organizations
Racism is a form of trauma. Experiences of violence, abuse and marginalization can lead to an increased risk of PTSD; so can extended exposure to videos of of racist police brutality on social media and news sites. Because of this elevated distress, Black Americans are 20 percent more likely to suffer from psychological disorders than White Americans. Fortunately, some organizations are stepping forward to help. They are providing access to therapy and other mental health resources at a subsidized rate, or even free. If you would like to fund this initiative and help more members of the Black community receive the appropriate mental health care, consider donating to the following organizations.
–The Loveland Foundation
–Black Girl in Om
–Sista Afya
–Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
–You Good Sis Yoga Collective
–National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
–Peoples Oakland; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Policy Reform Organizations
The roots of racism go deep underground and penetrate our political system from all sides. Real change will take place only when the officials sit up and take notice. We need laws, policies and programs to ensure equality and provisions against police brutality. If you would like to bring about a systematic change in the way we handle racism, consider donating to the following organizations who are taking significant steps to abolish racist policies and replace them with inclusive, equal ones.
–American Civil Liberties Union
–Black Lives Matter Global Network
–Color of Change Education Fund
–Advancement Project
–Community Justice Action Fund
–Anti-Racism Fund
–Moms Demand Action; donations will be matched dollar for dollar by Everytown, Moms Demand Action’s parent organization
–Faith in Texas
–Take Action Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, North Carolina
–Austin Justice Coalition; Austin, Texas
–Dallas Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression; Dallas, Texas
–The Refugee Dream Center; Rhode Island
–Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance; Rhode Island
Uploading a black square on your social media does not change things, but donating to these causes definitely will. Even if you can’t be an active participant of public demonstrations or offer your services on the frontline, you can still contribute by aiding these organizations who are striving day and night to change things for better. Even if you can’t stand right beside them in this fight, by donating to these organizations, you can show them how you are on their side, how you are an ally.
Also known as dynamic sleep or yogic sleep, Yoga Nidra is a type of meditation that can provide many of the benefits of a good night’s sleep in much less time. Does it sound too good to be true? Meditation experts believe that just 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra can equate to the benefits of two hours of sleep. Much like the state between waking and sleeping, Yoga Nidra meditation balances your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The first mention of Yoga Nidra was in the Upanishads between 800 and 500 BCE, and thanks to modern science and research, we now know what’s actually happening to your brain waves during practice. Your brain experiences different types of brain waves depending on the state that it’s in. When you are awake, your brain is experiencing beta waves which are active. As you start to relax and fall asleep, your brain experiences alpha waves, and then when you go into a deep sleep you are experiencing delta waves. What Yoga Nidra does is simply allows you to go into the hypnagogic state which is between alpha and theta waves.
How Do I Do Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra is typically attained by following a guided meditation. Start out lying on your back in Savasana, also known as Corpse Pose. Alternatively, you can sit if you cannot lay down comfortably. This is a great advantage of Yoga Nidra because it is approachable. Children, seniors, and those new to yoga and meditation can easily try this out and experience its benefits.
You do not have to attend a Yoga Nidra class in order to practice. You can listen to an audio recording which will help put your body in a state of complete relaxation and will take you through the five layers of self.
