Let’s stand united against racism

Over the last few months, we have all felt our collective grief compound — first through a deadly pandemic, and now, through unconscionable acts of violence.

At United Way of Greater Stark County, we stand with the black community and those who are fighting for racial equality. We support the peaceful demonstrations here at home and around the world. Our thoughts and our hearts are with the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and to the countless others who have been impacted by racism and injustice.

These recent events have revealed an uncomfortable and heartbreaking truth — that systemic racism and social inequities run deep across our country, and our own community is not exempt from these problems. For many, that pain and oppression are homegrown.

Over the past several days, we’ve heard stories from our friends, families and neighbors about the racial discrimination, fear and hatred they encounter in their daily lives. We have a responsibility to amplify their voices and shine a light on these issues.

It’s clear that as a country, as a community and as individuals, we need to do better, and at United Way of Greater Stark County, we’re committed to making that change.

Our mantra has always been to LIVE UNITED because we know there’s strength in numbers. The more we denounce racism and the more we work together to advocate for human dignity and equality, the greater our collective impact will be.

As an organization, we want to learn and grow by listening to our community and hearing how we can work together to create this change. We’re committed to continuing these conversations and working with other organizations to align our resources and create systemic change.

We continue to denounce racism and pledge to work toward a brighter future for all. We stand stronger when we LIVE UNITED.

Anti-Racist Resources

Are you ready to stand united against racism, but you’re not sure where to start?

In light of recent events, many are asking how they can become anti-racist and enact change. Writer Alyssa Klein and activist and filmmaker Sarah Sophie Flicker compiled a list of anti-racism resources to deepen their anti-racism work. These resources are intended to help those who are on the anti-racism journey. Original resources are located here .

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Articles to Read

Books to read

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Videos to Watch

Films and TV series to watch

  • 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
  • American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix
  • Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent
  • Blindspotting (Carlos López Estrada) — Hulu with Cinemax or available to rent
  • Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent
  • Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix
  • Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent
  • I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy
  • If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu
  • Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S.
  • King In The Wilderness  — HBO
  • See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix
  • Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S.
  • The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — Available to rent
  • The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Available to rent for free
  • When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
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Podcasts to subscribe to

Organizations to follow

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More anti-racism resources to check out