Note from Ryan: I don’t often use the space on this blog to talk about my personal life, and I know a business-focused blog like mine is an imperfect vehicle for the delivery of this message—but I’ve had the opportunity to interact with a lot of people here… so I want to this to be seen by as many of my readers as possible.
Some thoughts I want to share with you today:
This has been another month that feels like an entire year has gone by (especially here in the US). The past few weeks for me have been marked by a lot of personal reflection, education, uncomfortable conversations with friends & family—and by taking action to create the change we need in our country (and world).
I’m taking a stand for human rights in ways I’ve never done before, and using my platform to express the urgency of the problems we face in the US, with a long history of systemic racism, police violence, and widespread subtle prejudice & unconscious bias on an individual level.
The enormity of my own privilege as a white man that grew up in a middle class family in California is not lost on me. I’ve had a massive head start simply because of the color of my skin, circumstances of my upbringing and all of the opportunities I’ve been afforded as a result. I have an incredible amount to be grateful for and I’m choosing to deploy the resources I have to help others. I feel like I’ll be forever playing catch up, but the one thing I know I can do is start taking action now—and commit to never stopping.
I ask that you join me in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement through these actions and amazing organizations (many of which are completely free to participate). Here are a few of the worthy causes I’ve donated to over the past couple of weeks too:
- ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union (wide range of civil liberties causes)
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund (legal organization fighting for racial justice)
- Campaign Zero and #8cantwait (identifying solutions, providing research and advocating to end police violence nationwide)
- The Marshall Project (non-profit journalism about criminal justice)
- Fair Fight 2020 (litigation, legislation and advocacy for free & fair elections in the US)
- Various political campaigns nationwide to elect leaders leaders that are actively anti-racist and vocal supporters of civil rights
And if you want to amplify your donations, check out this cool tool that shows you an up-to-date list of people, companies and organizations that are matching donations (by simply tweeting or emailing them a receipt for your donation) right now.
Beyond self-reflection, having tough conversations, confronting uncomfortable past thoughts or actions, amplifying black voices and businesses on your social media channels, making donations… you can and should take as much action as you’re able to.
Remaining silent while the rights of others are being suppressed, is being complicit in that behavior.
- Stretch yourself by reading some of the many great books that explore systemic racism and white supremacy
- Get out and protest (here’s a map of upcoming protests around the world)
- If you live in or near San Francisco, tweet at me and come join me at these events
- Call your elected officials (here’s a directory of how to contact them)
- Support black-owned businesses (here’s over 4,300+ of them around the US)
- Vote for anti-racist candidates in every upcoming election
I know this has been a departure from our regularly scheduled programming here on my blog, but if I’ve learned anything in the past few weeks… this is a nationwide issue that we all need to take action on.
I’m still learning & growing here, too.
If you have questions about how you can be most supportive right now, please ask in the comments below. I’ll reply and direct you to the best of my ability ✊
66 replies to “How and Why I’m Taking Action to Support Black Lives Matter”
congratulation Ryan for your patriotic personality and call for airing blacks’ plights, mainly based on first amendment rights(civil rights). I offer you my full support.
Thanks for the support, Jack ✊
Congratulations Ryan for your caring and support for human rights. Good luck!
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Great. Thanks for sharing this with us, Ryan. “Learning, growing, and sharing in love” would be the way to go!
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Thank you so much for the list. There are so many good ways to contribute to make the world a better place. Again, thank you for all of the ideas.
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I appreciate the personal responsibility that you’ve taken on as an ally to this cause. I can imagine how this might have been scary for you, how new much of this must be to you, and how you FIGURED OUT that the right thing to do is the thing that might hurt.
Rock on, and keep posting!
Thanks for the encouragement, Alexandria ❤️
Thank you Ryan for your brave stand and the courage to self-reflect, i too have self-reflected and learned, it is uncomfortable and hard to face to what has been happening and not speaking out.
My two pence is that as a female i get privileges that sometimes men do not, such as jobs (albeit low paying).
I hope you have many readers who are with you.
As for Andy Zeus Anderson’s viewpoint, please understand this – there will always be folk who cannot deduce facts and numbers for what they are, will feel threatened or insecure, especially if they are having a hard time in life themselves.
Do not take it to heart but wish them well too.
Thanks for the support and kind words. I totally agree with you… we all have different perspectives and beliefs based on the circumstances of our upbringing, communities we live in, media we consume and so on.
Okay I’m interested
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Hi Ryan,
Amazing to see that you’re in support of the movement, black lives matter.
Seeing this post on Ryrob (the same blog I read and listen to side hustle tips) , makes you come across to me genuine and natural.
In essence, this blog is perfect for this and also passes some genuine
Ah, thanks so much for the kind words, Eniola. I’m really glad to have been able to connect with you—and we’ve got a lot of work to do over the coming weeks, months and years (here in the US and in every country around the world).
Thanks Ryan, I so appreciate your honesty and vulnerability and using your platform to speak out on this right now!
Thanks for the support, Hailey! I’m really glad to hear that. ❤️
Great job, and congratulations Ryan. I will hit your inbox and don’t fail to reply
Thanks, Sarah!
Great job you’re doing Ryan. I am not surprised you’re doing this. You’ve always been a genuine personality. More grace and support to you sir.
Thanks for the kind words, Martha 🙏
Wow! I did not expect this, but extremely happy that you’re stepping up as an ally. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome, Alaina! Small steps every day 🙏
I just joined this community and finding this post INSTANTLY positioned you with me as a trusted business advisor. I honor you for your courage and thank you for all you are doing and being to make this a world that works for everyone.
Ah, thank you so much for the kind words Diane. I think it’s incredibly important to make a stand for what you believe to be right—and I’m glad to welcome you here 🙂