Ten ways to learn more, support, and get involved with the Black Lives Matter movement on Nantucket. To find out how to support on-island businesses owned by Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color, click here.
1. Explore Nantucket’s African Meeting House
Just blocks from the center of town, the African Meeting House is Nantucket’s only standing public site constructed by African Americans in the 19th century. From the year it was built to today and beyond, it has remained an incredibly important part of this community. Explore the Meeting House’s history online, or take part in educational programs and exhibits when the site reopens its doors.
2. Discover Black History on Nantucket
The Nantucket Historical Association’s digital archives provide readers information about Black history on Nantucket, from the 19th century to the 20th century and beyond. Browse articles, videos, and more to educate yourself about the island’s history of social activism here.
3. Stream I Am Not Your Negro through the Atheneum’s eLibrary
Free to download for all library card holders, the Nantucket Atheneum’s selection of movies can help adults and children understand our country’s history of race and racism. Check out Raoul Peck’s I Am Not Your Negro, a documentary connecting the Civil Rights movement to #BlackLivesMatter, and similar films through this link.
4. Listen to NPR’s Code Switch through the Atheneum’s digital resources
A weekly podcast hosted by several journalists of color, NPR’s Code Switch explores the intersection of race and identity in contemporary society. Tune into Code Switch through this link, or browse other educational tools through the Atheneum’s online resources.
5. Tour the Black Heritage Trail in Nantucket online
The spread of the coronavirus temporarily suspended in-person visits to the Museum of African American History, but virtual tours of Nantucket’s Black Heritage Trail are still running! From the Whaling Museum to the Florence Higginbotham House, scroll your way through the streets of Nantucket to learn more about ten of the island’s most historic sites.
6. Watch Nantucket Book Festival’s series “At Home with Authors” – Mitchell S. Jackson conversation
Join award-winning author Mitchell S. Jackson in a dialogue about two of his important works, Survival Math and The Residue Years. A featured author of the Nantucket Book Festival’s At Home with Authors series, Jackson explores the relationship between community, race, and justice in modern America, highlighting the significance of the Black Lives Matter movement in shaping the country’s future. Click here to view the recorded conversation with Nantucket Book Foundation Co-Founder Mary Haft.
7. Register to Vote
With the 2020 general election around the corner and the country in turmoil, you can make a lasting difference with your ballot. Register to vote, research candidates’ stances on racial injustice and other issues, and show up to the polls in November. For more information about voter registration in Massachusetts, click here.
8. Place signs in windows, lawns, or cars
Stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement by placing posters and stickers in any place you choose. Don’t forget to continue to donate, sign petitions, protest, and support local Black-owned businesses in addition to displaying your support.
9. Read any of the books on N Magazine‘s Anti-Racism Reading List
Available to purchase through Nantucket Book Partners or any Black-owned bookstore, N Magazine’s anti-racism reading list can help you better understand the history of race in America and how we change the future for the better. You can access the list here or browse more titles at the Nantucket Book Partners website.
10. Follow activists and organizations on social media
One of the most powerful digital tools for spreading awareness, social media allows users to easily engage with anti-racist and educational materials. Here are a few organizations—both local and national—and activists to follow to self-educate on Black history and stay informed about protests and events: Black Lives Matter (@blklivesmatter); ACLU (@aclu_nationwide); Nantucket Justice League (@nantucketjusticeleague); Justice for Nantucket (@justicefornantucket); Museum of African American History (@maahmuseum); Nantucket Historical Association (@ackhistory); Ijeoma Oluo (@ijeomaoluo); Ibram X. Kendi (@ibramxk); Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org).
