“To those who have said, "Be patient and wait," we have long said that we cannot be patient. We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now! We are tired. We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again. And then you holler, "Be patient." How long can we be patient? We want our freedom and we want it now. We do not want to go to jail. But we will go to jail if this is the price we much pay for love, brotherhood, and true peace."
- John Lewis
DAY TWENTY-ONE
Taking Action
Congratulations on completing your first United Way Equity Challenge. We are incredibly honored you have come along this journey with us and made time to learn and reflect on specially curated topics of equity within our county. We know these conversations and the feelings they evoke are not always easy but making more space for brave dialogue is one of many steps we can take towards achieving equity in Thurston County. We encourage each of you to share a reflection on your experience with a family member, friend or co-worker to continue the momentum from this challenge. 
TAKE ACTION
Option 1: Volunteer! Sign up to volunteer in our community at https://www.unitedway-thurston.org/volunteer-request-form. We'll help you find a volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule or interests.
 
Option 2: Advocate! Use your voice and encourage others to use theirs as well:
  • Register to vote and support others in your life to register as well.
  • Visit your City and County Councils' websites to find representatives' emails and phone numbers. Contact them and urge them to work toward ending institutional racism in their legislation and budgets.
  • Go to https://app.leg.wa.gove/DistrictFinder/ to find out who represents you in Olympia. Contact them with the same message.
  • There are often marches, rallies and days of action in your community in January - often in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Attend these events and stand in solidarity with your community.
  • Research organizations that are working toward racial justice (such as Poverty Action Network). Sign up for their mailing list and/or donate.
 
Option 3: Talk with your kids about race! Check out this article from National Geographic about talking with kids about race or this article from Parents Magazine about anti-racism. Watch this video from PBS on talking with young children about race. Here is an excellent resource for children's books that can help. If you are a parent of young children, you can subscribe to Emerald Creative's Little World Changers Monthly Learning Box.
 
Option 4: Become an ally! An ally is any person that actively promotes and aspires to advance the culture of inclusion through intentional, positive and conscious efforts that benefit people as a whole. Read this article from Forbes about how to be an ally in the workplace. Check out The Guide to Allyship as a great resource on being an effective ally.
 
Option 5: Step out of your comfort zone for some experiential learning! Next time you are running errands or heading to the grocery store, challenge yourself by taking the bus if you typically travel by car. Click here to find a route to your destination.
 
Option 6: Continue your equity journey by reading selections from one of these book lists! Check out Forbes' "20 Books for 2020: A Reading List on Race in America". Huffpost offers a different approach in their article, "Your Anti-Racism Reading List Isn't Complete Without Fiction".
 
Option 7: Support local BIPOC-owned businesses! There are many Black-owned business in our community and we should all make an effort to make sure they are included in our mix of places to shop. The YWCA Olympia put together a list of BIPOC-owned businesses here: https://www.ywcaofolympia.org/support-black-indigenous-and-poc-owned-businesses/.
United Way of Thurston County solves complicated issues by convening community stakeholders and collaborating to develop short and long-term strategies. United Way is an excellent steward of donor dollars and is committed to transparency, accountability and sound fiscal management. United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community. Learn more: https://www.unitedway-thurston.org/

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We have one life. To live better, we must LIVE UNITED®.