How to Support Black Women After the Alabama Senate Election

On December 12, Doug Jones was announced as the winner of Alabama's special election for a vacated seat in the United States Senate. At least 98% of black women in Alabama voted for the Democratic candidate, overcoming voter suppression tactics to stop alleged child predator Roy Moore from being elected.

The turnout among this voting demographic is similar to the 2016 presidential election, where 94% of black women attempted to protect themselves and their communities from then-candidate Donald Trump by voting for Hillary Clinton. Because of the group's efforts in Alabama, the internet is calling attention to black women, who consistently stand up for their communities at the polls.

But black women didn't just "save" the state from Roy Moore, as if they alone should be held responsible for stopping the self-destructive tendencies of their white counterparts, as activist Bree Newsome pointed out. They should be recognized for their consistent efforts to make the country a better place — and not just after an election win.

Here are a few ways for you to help support the efforts of black women, in Alabama and beyond.

Support black female candidates.

Historically, black women have voted more than any other demographic group, only to have their voices ignored in policy decisions after the elections. That's why it's crucial to support black women running for political office, such as Stacey Abrams, who if elected will become the first black women to become a governor of a state.

Amplify organizations led by black women, serving black women.

Higher Heights for America, a black women-led organization, works to create political leadership pipelines for black women to run for office and ensure their voices are heard at the table. Black Youth Project 100 and Black Lives Matter are two black women-led organizations working to implement policy agendas rooted in justice and liberation for black communities. These organizations play a vital role in uplifting voices that have been historically silenced. We need to support these organizations through financial donations or joining to become a member.

Fund black women and the groups they lead.

To ensure the transformational work black women are doing in their communities continues, we need to support and invest in them. We need support and elect black women in their efforts to run for political office. We need to fund black women-led organizations such as Sister Song, We Got Us Now, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, IMPACT, and Campaign Zero.

Trust black women.

We need to believe black women like Tarana Burke when they say #MeToo and share their stories about sexual assault and harassment. Twenty-two percent of black women will experience sexual assault during their lifetime, and Burke started #MeToo movement ten years ago to help survivors. Yet, attention was only given to the hashtag when it was utilized by white women who co-opted the phrase in response to allegations of sexual assault against film producer Harvey Weinstein.

Fund black women.

We need to invest in black women businesses in order to support black futures. They generate over $44 billion dollars in revenue and operate over 1.5 million businesses nationwide, but black business owners are less likely to receive funding from investors and lenders. If you see a great thread by a black woman on Twitter, check to see if she's listed any methods of payment on her page, and show appreciation with your wallet.

Listen to black women.

We need to follow black women like Feminista Jones, Jamilah Lemieux and The Black Joy MixTape when they speak up about inequalities and injustices in their communities, domestic and worldwide. Uplift the voices of black women like Maxine Waters who refused to let white men utilize the media to erase them from the narrative.

We need to thank black women for their contributions and sacrifices to society, because our world could not exist without them.

Related: How Black Women Have Impacted Feminism Over Time

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