Tumblr by day. Creating content over at Frenemy Studios by night. Editor & writer. Creator-o-comics and other stories. Animation nut. Foodie. Tourettian. Lover of all things nerdy.
When I’ve started making this animation, life was different, we were not in our apartments. I think the scene makes more sense to me now. Hope it will give you some fresh air. 🌿
Last week we reacted with feeling. This week we’re channeling that feeling into fuel for action.
The ongoing protests against police brutality are not just a response to the unnecessary deaths of a few. They are a response to 401 years of racism. The unequal treatment of BIPOC was built into the blueprint of the United States, and we still see the indirect and direct consequences of that fact.
Tumblr has a moral obligation to our community to use this platform in a socially responsible manner. Staying silent about our solidarity with the police brutality protests last week was not an option. Simply spreading our message of solidarity without actionable follow-up this week was not an option, either.
What Tumblr is doing
Diversity and inclusion will remain an ongoing open and honest conversation within our company. This week we have come together as an organization to make sure the necessary conversations are being held. Dialogue is great, but action is needed.
Hate speech is not allowed on Tumblr. That sort of hateful rhetoric leads to violence. White supremacists, Nazis, and other purveyors of hate can fully fuck off. They are not welcome here. As we promised last month, hate speech will not go unchecked. If you see hate speech, report it to our Trust & Safety team. They will remove all content against our Community Guidelines.
Tumblr is a platform. The small team of <200 employees behind Tumblr are people. People who are scared, hopeful, angry, sad, and impassioned. People who care. As individuals, many of us are marching, protesting, and donating. We wanted to share some of the places we’ve donated to over the last two weeks in the hopes that you’ll check them out yourselves:
Color of Change demands justice and equality for Black people in the United States.
Black Girls Smile is dedicated to providing young Black women with mental health resources.
Equal Justice Initiative works to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial inequality.
Our social advocacy team is seeking more activists to do Issue Times on issues that affect the Black community. So often, the best suggestions come from all of you. Let us know who you want to hear from. As always, we will read the reblogs from this post.
Our official Tumblr for all things social advocacy, @action, will continue to reblog posts from the community on more ways to help support the protests.
Ways we can all help
Over the years, the Tumblr community has solidified itself as being passionate advocates for social justice. Through your posts, group chats, and messages, you educate yourself and others. If you’re not Black, commit to being a better ally. Listen to the Black community.
There is a place for everyone in the Black Lives Matter movement. You may be unable to march or attend rallies, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines. You can pass out water, masks, and hand sanitizer if you can’t march. You can donate to a charity you believe in or give money to your local mutual aid organization.
Contact your officials to encourage our communities to invest in areas we know can prevent crime before it even happens: youth services, education, adequate housing, trauma services, counseling, and restorative justice programs. You can use these easy pre-filled form emails for a number of cities.
Just yesterday, U.S. House and Senate leaders introduced the Justice in Policing Act of 2020. This legislation may work to hold police accountable for their actions. We’re watching the developments of this closely, and suggest you do, too. Call your senators and call your representatives to support this legislation.
Are you an artist of any kind? Or do you just like art? There are tons of artists on Tumblr who are doing commission fundraisers for charities that have an impact on Black communities. Considering buying something or starting one yourself.
Lastly: Vote!
Vote! Vote! Register to vote! Even if you missed the deadline for upcoming elections, register to vote now so you can participate in the next one. You deserve to have a say in what happens within your community.
We know you must have a lot of questions or are feeling distressed about the news. The world has been dealing with a lot this year, and it is an especially harrowing time for Black Americans and Black folks abroad. We know your biggest question right now could be summed up by a quote from Toni Morrison:
“What can I do where I am?”
Here at #TheBlackout, we have decided to help you start finding an answer to that question - we feel that we need each other. We need unity, organization, a clear sense of direction, but more importantly, a space where you can be yourself without judgement or fear.
So, in addition to boosting your art and businesses, our highest priority right now is to provide you all with resources to help you start from where you are.
This is a masterpost of places you can donate, find mental health + spaces for radical self-care, and just do something fun. We will be adding on as things change.
Ethel’s Club - Black-owned and operated social club offering access to Black therapists and a multitude of creative events for People of Color.
Crisis Text Line - A different approach to crisis intervention, Crisis Text Line offers you help when you text 741-741. You’ll be able to chat with someone who is willing to listen and provide you with additional resources.
Shine Text. – Black-owned! Sign up to receive cheerful texts and tips every day.
Therapy For Black Girls - A Black-owned a directory to help you find Black therapists in your area.
Tumblr has always been a fierce believer in free speech and the power it gives to the people who wield it. Throughout history, free speech has been the most important tool used to fight for racial and social justice. The protests being held in honor of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are no different. They are important. They should not be ignored or derided. The disproportionate violence Black people face from those who have power in our country is not acceptable. It’s on all of us, regardless of race, to stand up for what is right, to demand justice, and to demand change.
These past few months have been interesting, to say the least. So far, 2020 has thrown us curveball after curveball, but it’s also put us in touch with the power of the Tumblr community. Seeing you all come together to support one another through an uncertain time has made our hearts grow three sizes.
The @fandom team is eyeballs-deep in the tags every day, looking at every trend from the serious to the absurd (we see you, Adrichat shippers), and taking note of all the communities constantly springing up on Tumblr. We pulled the tag data from January 1st, 2020 - April 22nd, 2020 and looked at which communities have the highest trending scores - taking into account the amount of searches, original posts, reblogs, and likes made during that time frame.
We usually only share this list during Year in Review, but given the circumstances, we figured now is a good time to discover a new community or 10. Maybe this will spark ideas for new posts! Tag your posts and jump in.
