We all have something to offer when it comes to the fight against racism. We have to sew it into our daily lives and activities. Seek it out in the biggest and smallest of places. That's how we keep this momentum going and make sure we don't fail the powerful Black voices who have so graciously fought emotional overload and mental + physical exhaustion to educate us and provide us with all of the resources we need to move forward together. Below is a list of some actions I'm personally taking to hold myself accountable.
I’m donating.
These are a few of the places I've personally donated to and have done due diligence on their work:
The Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Our resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing.
Black Lives Matter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.
The Conscious Kid is an education, research and policy organization dedicated to reducing bias and promoting positive identity development in youth. They partner with organizations, children’s museums, schools, and families across the country to promote access to children’s books centering underrepresented and oppressed groups. Currently, they are fundraising to provide COVID-19 rent relief for families. You can donate to that initiative here.
Campaign Zero provides analysis of policing practices across the country, data to identify effective solutions to end police violence, technical assistance to organizers leading police accountability campaigns and the development of model legislation and advocacy to end police violence nationwide.
*** It's also great to look into local Black-owned organizations in your area that you might be personally passionate about. I found the Rid-All Green Partnership urban farm in my home state of Ohio, and I have fallen in love with their mission. Here's a list of Black-owned farms in the US if you'd like to check it out.
i’m signing petitions.
Signing petitions to urge government authorities to take action couldn’t be easier. These are some that I have signed myself:
Coronavirus: Demand more from the government
*** You can look for petitions to sign that speak to your heart (or create your own) on change.org or petitions.whitehouse.gov
i’m supporting black-owned businesses
I’m seeking out Black-owned businesses to shop with in all facets of my life.
Five Fifths is the world's largest Black online business directory with lists across all forms of businesses and brands. They also curate Black business news and interviews with Black entrepreneurs.
Here is a list of 62 Black-owned brands in the fashion and home decor sector.
This list contains 30 Black-owned beauty brands.
Click here to find lists of Black-owned restaurants across the country, organized by city.
Here is a list of Black-owned brands in food, home, bookstores, and more.
Etsy put together this list of Black-owned shops.
My cousin Molly put together a big list of beautiful Black-owned businesses in home decor, fashion, and baby/kid goods and saved it to her Instagram highlights.
*** Put in some effort to seek out Black-owned businesses in your neighborhood and support them when you can.
i’m voting.
Click here to register to vote (or to check if you are in fact registered).
Click here to sign up for voting reminders in your area.
*** Do the due diligence of staying informed. Learn the issues your city is facing, who is running for office, and what their stances are so you can vote accordingly.
i’m working my way through this reading list …
"White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo
"Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
"How To Be An Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi
"So You Want to Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo
and this watch list:
13th (Netflix)
Dear White People (Netflix)
When They See Us (Netflix)
The Hate U Give (Hulu)
i’m following black activists and artists.
There are so many powerful women graciously educating us through their art and words. Here are some suggestions for where to start:
Here are some incredibly talented designers and makers in the fiber arts community who inspire me daily:
i’m ACTIVELY looking for ways to engage with this conversation and carry the work into everything that i do, and i’m no LONGER waiting for THEM to come to me.
“How to stay connected to your soul:
When something happens in the world that is wrong, don’t try to move on with your life like it is right. The voice within you that says, ‘this is not okay’ is a direct call from the basic goodness of your spirit. Pick it up. Every time. Pick it up. And stay on the line until you figure out how to help.”
