Where to start on social justice: what we’ve written, the numbers and words to know, what to do this month, and the people, organizations and newsrooms worth following.
The Basics
Overview Social justice is the work of making sure everyone has the same rights, safety and chance to thrive. It connects every other topic in this newsletter, because racism rarely shows up alone. Learning how these fights overlap helps you show up in more of them.
By the Numbers
Why this matters, in three numbers.
75% of Black adults say they have experienced racial discrimination, either regularly (13%) or from time to time (62%). (Pew Research Center)
In 2024, 18.4% of Black people lived in poverty, compared with 7.6% of non-Hispanic white people. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Anti-Black hate crimes reported to the FBI rose 81% from 2015 to 2024, and they made up more than half of race-based hate crimes in 2024. (USAFacts (FBI data))
Intersectionality — How parts of a person’s identity, like race, gender, class and ability, overlap to shape their experience of discrimination or privilege.
Allyship — Actively using your privilege or power to support and stand up for marginalized groups.
Anti-Racism — The active work of finding and opposing racism in ourselves, our communities and our institutions.
Take Action
Three things you can do this month.
Ask your rep to cosponsor H.R. 40. H.R. 40 would create a federal commission to study slavery's lasting harm and propose reparations; it was introduced in January 2025 and sits in the House Judiciary Committee. Call and say: "I'm a constituent, and I want you to cosponsor H.R. 40 to study reparations."
Find a mutual aid group near you. Mutual aid groups share food, rides, money and care with neighbors who need it. Look up one in your area and offer an hour or a few dollars this month.
A brief overview of what power and privilege means and its role in systemic oppression to help you understand how privilege shows up in your life—and what you can do to address it.
Aristotle said, “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime” (Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality). But in the wake of violence in impoverished Black communities, we often only hear the same refrain: “Why is no one doing anything about this?” The idea that nobody in Black communities works to stop community violence is racist, classist, and false.
De facto residential segregation is increasing today, creating segregated hospitals, schools, and transportation systems—the very things permitted by Plessy v. Ferguson.
Critics of Israel are being silenced, part of a long history of anti-Palestinian suppression. This guide explains your rights when advocating for Palestine.
These groups are led by people of color and work on social justice every day. Follow them for updates and ways to help.
Movement for Black Lives Coalition of Black-led groups organizing for Black freedom and policy change. Visit their website, and follow @mvmnt4blklives on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.
Mijente Latinx and Chicanx group organizing for racial, economic and migrant justice. Visit their website, and follow @conmijente on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.
NDN Collective Indigenous-led group funding and organizing for Native power and land back. Visit their website, and follow @ndncollective on Instagram to get updates in your newsfeed.
People to Follow
Organizers, scholars and journalists who know this topic. Follow them to keep learning.
Tarana Burke Founder of the "me too" movement. She started me too to support Black girls who survived sexual violence and still organizes around healing and safety. Follow @taranajaneen on Instagram.
Brittany Packnett Cunningham Activist, Ferguson organizer and host of the UNDISTRACTED podcast. She connects the news of the day to the fight for justice and what you can do about it. Follow @mspackyetti on Instagram.
Valarie Kaur Sikh civil rights lawyer and author of See No Stranger. She founded the Revolutionary Love Project and writes about staying in the fight without burning out. Follow @valariekaur on Instagram.
Independent Media
Independent newsrooms and newsletters that cover social justice often. Read and donate if you can!
Prism. Nonprofit newsroom led by journalists of color on justice movements. Follow @prismreports on Instagram.
Truthout. Nonprofit news on racial justice, policing, labor and human rights. Follow @truthout on Instagram.
Scalawag. Southern magazine on movements, organizing and power in the South. Follow @scalawagmagazine on Instagram.
ContrabandCamp. Michael Harriot's Black-led collective doing liberation journalism and cultural critique. Follow @michaelharriot on Instagram.
How Things Work. Hamilton Nolan's newsletter on labor, unions and power.
Read, Watch, Listen
A book, a film and a podcast by creators of color to go deeper.
Read: How We Get Free by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor (editor). The Black feminists of the Combahee River Collective explain, in their own words, why every fight for freedom is connected.
Watch: Fannie Lou Hamer's America by Joy Davenport (director), Monica Land (producer). The civil rights leader tells her own story through archival footage, free to stream on WORLD Channel and PBS.
Listen: Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast by Race Forward (hosts Chevon and Hiba). Conversations with organizers about racial justice strategy, now in its sixth season.
Talk About It
Not sure how to bring this up with family or coworkers? Try one of these.
Have you ever seen someone treated unfairly and not known what to say?
What's one thing in our town you'd change so more people could get by?
Do you think things are getting better or worse for Black families where we live, and why?
ps – this is a community-created guide that is updated often. Want to make changes/corrections? Complete this form.
Get updates on social justice in your inbox.
You’ll be subscriber No. 63,199
Welcome! We use third-party tools to collect information about you as you enjoy our site. By proceeding, you accept our Terms and the Policy.
