75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

The death of George Floyd at the hands of police caused many white Quakers and others to ask what could they do about racial injustice.  An article with the above title written by Corinne Shutack for the “Medium” in response to questions about what white people can do inspired many of us at Medford Meeting to consider our own commitment to advocating for racial justice.  (That list has since been updated to be “103 Things…” and can be accessed online. Out of this concern rose a small group that has been meeting regularly since then, calling itself “75 Things”. Thus far a resource list has been developed with books, videos, lectures, and websites.  Several members were assigned to examine police policies and school curriculum in their respective towns. Politicians were contacted to support the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.  An ex-First Day School student, now young adult, has been extremely active in organizing Black Lives Matter protests in many communities.  Meeting members supported these rallies as able in Medford, Medford Lakes, Atco, etc.  Additional members/attenders attended rallies in their home communities.  Our meeting was also a part of the AFSC bell tolling where names of people of color who have died at the hands of police officers were read.  The meeting held a discussion on the movie/book “Just Mercy.” We are looking at ways to support Ujima Peace Center.  Some members/attenders of our meeting who are Medford Leas residents are petitioning the Medford Leas board and administration to make Medford Leas a more inclusive community.  The library committee has been actively buying books for the library about anti-racism.  A sandwich board sign was place on the meetinghouse lawn on the main street running past the meetinghouse saying “Black Lives Matter’ on one side and “Please Listen, Please Hear” on the other.  Several angry phone calls were received at the meeting office.  We are actively trying to follow up with the folks who phoned to start a dialog.  Also, after having our sign vandalized by a rearranging of letters to form a hateful message, members rewrote “Black Lives Matter” on one side and “Can we talk about it” on the other side.”