By Sarah Davies (she/her)

As more white and non-Indigenous people are beginning to see that the society we live in is inherently that of a white supremacist one, a lot of information has been flying around social media, news channels, and other outlets. We at the One Woman Project stand in solidarity with Indigenous and First Nations lives, as well as Black and People of Colour, both as individuals and as an organisation. We are committed to passing the microphone, and to do this, we thought it would be helpful to list some important information for white/non-Indigenous people, regarding the upcoming protests based around so-called Australia.

Whether you have attended a protest before, it is your first one or you are at Invasion Day rallies every year, spreading and sharing the right information is critical. This is not a comprehensive list, and I am a white person who has gained this information through discussion with those who have attended protests and rallies before, as well as through Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) social media and activists, many of whom I have included as references. As someone living in so-called Australia, many of the following instances refer particularly to Indigenous and First Nations folk – depending on where you live in the world, some may not apply to you. Please ensure to do research around your particular part of the world – understanding the history, colonisation and oppression that has occurred, and benefitted us as white people, is imperative to creating change. 

Important:

Whenever you attend a protest led by Indigenous and First Nations folk, THEY MUST BE AT THE FOREFRONT. Respect the wishes of the elders and organisers for a peaceful protest – while it is a time of high tension, do not escalate situations or use violence, as this will ultimately end up disproportionately harming the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour attending. If police violence occurs around you, the best thing to do is sit down and start videoing what is happening (Source: Jautia Cora – FaceBook page, found through @lifeofrubii, sharing @ancestress). It is especially important to emphasise that, should police violence occur, as a white person, you may be called upon to stand between police and BIPOC – grab a friend or fellow white person, link arms and do your duty. There have been multiple examples of chains of white people doing this in the US, and as someone who is not targeted by institutional and systemic racism, there is far less chance of the situation escalating.

Please also pay attention to the wishes of the elders, and those organising the march or event. Unless specifically asked, your opinion is not needed about how to organise this. As white and non-Indigenous folk, we also do not get to decide how liberation will be achieved, how much has already been done, or what still needs to happen. You are there to support and stand BESIDE, not IN FRONT.  

To wear:

• Comfortable clothing, closed in shoes and sun protection – you may be doing a lot of walking.

• No logos on shirts or other clothing – the focus is on the movement. In this case, the focus should be on Black Lives Matter and First Nations folk, and not on your organisation or group trying to get a photo opportunity for your socials.

• If you have purchased clothes/accessories from an Aboriginal-owned business, and it is appropriate, feel free to wear these items.

• Tying your hair up or pinning it back reduces the chances of times you touch your face during the protest. If you have long hair, it is easiest to wear it up in a bun – there is less chance of it being caught on signs, or being grabbed, should a situation escalate.

To take:

• A backpack for ease of travel.

• Hand sanitiser, and use frequently – Aboriginal and Indigenous folk are more at risk of COVID-19, and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure they are keeping themselves safe and hygienic, in order to protect others.

• Face masks.

• Placards and signs that align with the organiser’s messaging.

• Fully charged smartphone or digital camera (please turn OFF location services during the protest).

• Layers – depending on weather.

(Source: Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance FaceBook/ Instagram @warrevolt).

Other actions:

• If you’re going in a group, arrange a meeting spot in case you get split up.

• Ensure you have contact numbers of all in your group.

• If you have a car or transportation, offer these services to elders in the community who may need them (Source: Maggie Munn – Instagram: @blak.tivist).

• Take extra hand sanitiser and water bottles – those organising these protests are usually putting the needs of the community ahead of themselves, and may have forgotten/not managed to grab some on the way (Source: Maggie Munn - @blak.tivist).

• Download the CopWatch app – police can delete video evidence if recorded on your phone, but not from this app, or saved on iCoud or DropBox. This app also contains information regarding your legal rights as a protestor, and you can add three emergency contacts in case anything happens (Source: Jautia Cora – FaceBook, shared multiple times by organisations and individuals, found through @lifeofrubii, sharing @ancestress).

• Share messages from Indigenous folk regarding the event – the wishes of those organising the rally are the ONLY ones that matter.

 

Things white/non-Indigenous people should NOT do at these events, ever:

• Indigenous folk around you may be wearing white ochre paint on their forehead as a sign of mourning – you do not get to do this. Unless an Indigenous person paints this on you, do not paint it on yourself, ever.

• Lead the march, or watch other white/non-Indigenous people lead the march – if you see elders or Indigenous folk being pushed aside to make way for white voices, it is your duty to let those doing the pushing to know that it is not okay, in a safe and calm manner.

• Talk over the Indigenous and Black voices that need to be heard. Your voice is only relevant as a group offering support, not as an individual.

• There are specific chants that do not apply to white people. Chants such as ‘I can’t breathe’ are not ones that white people need to be saying. There are many that we can say, and acts we can do, but actions such as the above chant, or raising the Black power fist, are seen as inappropriate for white people.

• Get defensive, or allow your feelings of being uncomfortable to override the intent of the event.    

These events are first and foremost to highlight the violence, trauma and racism (individual, institutional and systemic) BIPOC have endured every day. They are not a place for us, as white people, to centre ourselves. Please do your research before attending, and ensure you are also taking action besides attending a protest. Pay the rent. Do the work. Call other white people out on their racism every day.

Being actively anti-racist means calling out all forms of racism, whether subconscious, overt, cover, in family, in friends, in strangers, or in yourself.

Resources:

*This is a very small list, and does not reflect the amount of incredible work that exists.

Instagram:

@lifeofrubii

@blak.tivist

@tradingblak

@blakbusiness

@warrevolt

@laylafsaad

@rachelcargle

@ihartericka

@decolonize

@nowhitesaviors

@hownotottravellikeabasicbitch

Books:

‘Me and White Supremacy’ – Layla F Saad

‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race’ – Reni Eddo-Lodge

‘White Tears/Brown Scars’ – Ruby Hamad

‘How to be an Anti-Racist’ – Ibram X. Kendi