Dahlia Ferlito explains how allies can help end racism amid social justice movement

LOS ANGELES - The co-founder of White People for Black Lives explained steps white people who have recently been motivated to join the Black Lives Matter movement can take to help end racism. 

These past weeks have motivated many people who have not historically been part of Black Lives Matter to take to the streets and protest against police brutality and systemic racism. Now, experts say there are even more things you can do to be an ally in the anti-racist movement.

Dahlia Ferlito says it is important that white people know that this work has been happening in LA and across the country for many years.  

Aware LA is an organization has been supporting white people developing an anti-racist practice and identity for over a decade. Within the organization is White People 4 Black Lives, which has been supporting white people taking anti-racist action in solidarity with Black Lives Matter LA for almost 6 years. It's part of a national anti-racist network called Showing Up for Racial Justice.

“There is no need to reinvent the wheel, we have spaces for political education, reflection, learning, and unlearning. We are working toward organizing 3.5% of white people across the country, because a study of successful social movements says that’s what you need to get wins," Ferlito said. 

She offered three “fundamental texts” for white people who want to get educated.

• "Uprooting Racism, How White People Can Work for Social Justice" by Paul Kivel;

• "White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism" by Robin D’Angelo; 

• "Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America" by Ibram X Kendi. 

Currently, some books Ferlito recommended are sold out on Amazon, but are available at other book retailers.