I'll Listen First

As I have sat at my computer this week, watching the news of more black lives lost to police violence, watching protest emerge all across the country, I feel the need to say something. However I am mindful that you do not need to hear my voice centered in this moment. Rather, we who are not effected need to listen first, listen and amplify the voices of black people. I want to share this with you as one taste of the voices you need to be hearing instead of mine.  I had the chance to listen to this webinar on Sunday and will be re-watching this weekend. White Christians, I invite you to set aside a couple of hours and listen to this and take time to reflect.
There is a lot of energy right now to join the movement. I would consider myself fairly new to this movement even though I have been in LGBTQ community work for some time. For me, the next best step is that am taking actions I know to be helpful that I have the skills for (like donating money and supplies to organizers) while I educate myself and seek training that will allow me to take further actions, try to use my platform to amplify voices, and actions happening.
Below are also links to black led organizations that are doing organizing on the ground.  If you aren't yet sure how to act, donating is always a good way to support the movement. 
I will soon write more typical  spiritual things. However, I wanted to use this space to amplify the need for racial justice work. Thank you for doing this self-examination work with me.

Donate to Southerners on New Ground 

Donate to the Movement for Black Lives