Six anti-racism Instagram accounts to follow

While you might be used to using social media for cute animal memes and liking your friends’ pictures, it can also be a valuable educational tool.

Conversations around racism and white privilege have come to the fore after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, with many people looking for ways to educate themselves on the key issues.

There are plenty of Instagram accounts dedicated to exposing white privilege and giving of a voice to the black community, making them an incredibly accessible way to become a better ally.

If you want a bit more diversity on your feed and are keen to get to work to be more actively anti-racist, follow some of these accounts…

1. No White Saviors

The Instagram account No White Saviors was set up in 2018, “birthed out of a collective frustration at the rampant abuses committed by white missionaries and development workers in Uganda and beyond”, it says.

Since then, the account has gone global, putting African people “as the heroes of our own stories” – and this has resonated all over the world.

2. Overheard While Black

Overheard While Black gives a look into the daily microaggressions black people are subjected to by the ignorance of white people. With posts like ‘You probably only got here because of affirmative action, though’ and, ‘You are pretty for a black girl’, it shows how racist comments have become normalised within society.

3. Shifting the Culture

Shifting the Culture is run by three women of colour who consult on issues like diversity and sexual harassment in workplaces and schools. The Instagram account is full of useful tips for how to advocate for racial justice in the workplace and educational posts on topics like white supremacy. If you want actionable resources – particularly applicable within your job – Shifting the Culture is the place to look.

4. The Conscious Kid

Parents might be struggling with how to discuss these issues with their children, which is where resources like The Conscious Kid come in. On its Instagram account, you’ll find suggestions for a more diverse reading list for your children and pointers not only on how to talk to them, but why it’s so important to do so.

5. Check Your Privilege

Check Your Privilege was set up by mental health activist Myisha T. Its website reads: “In 2018, Myisha became curious about white women and privilege after ending a relationship with a co-worker that negatively impacted her mental health. This led her to identify her own internalised oppression and racism. Not interested in throw-away culture, she decided to seek out safe ways that white folks are showing up for BIWoC.”

The Instagram account is full of questions to ask yourself if you’re in a privileged position, resources to educate yourself further and ways to be more actively anti-racist.

6. Black Cultural Archives

Black Cultural Archives is dedicated to looking at black British history. The BCA says: “We use our mission to collect, preserve and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK and to inspire and give strength to individuals, communities and society” – and this is reflected on its Instagram page. A major part of becoming anti-racist is understanding the history of black people, which is often not properly taught in schools.

Image: PA