together, in solidarity, as one

(illustration by Sacree Frangine)
In the words of Angela Davis "It is not enough to be not racist, you must actively be anti-racist." #blacklivesmatter

As I start my morning coffees, my heart gets overwhelmingly heavy and uncomfortable these past few days.  It's beyond horrific to witness these unspeakable sufferings amongst the black communities.  No one should face pain and fear for the color of their skin.

 In light of recent events of George Floyd and other victims of senseless killings d/t racism, I feel the urge to address the topic of systemic racism that has been on my mind for a while.  With extensive access to resources, we can keep ourselves better informed on the ongoing issues of racism, oppression, and inequality.

 A reminder that recognizing/reflecting on the privileges that we have/don’t have helps us to shed light on justice, equality, empathy, & compassion.  We are responsible to collectively take actions to change our world - to be less divisive & judgemental, and more LOVING & ACCEPTING.  I implore you never to stop thinking, acting, & educating ourselves; we can all learn ways to contribute & spread love - take any step, no matter how small.
(words by @nayyirah.waheed from her book of poem, salt.)
I'm putting all of these thoughts/emotions out not to point fingers, but to start the conversation.  We can no longer stay silent and turn a blind eye to something that affects all of us whether we realize it or not; ultimately and collectively, we are all connected.

 While I don't have all the answers, I'm still trying many ways to deepen my knowledge and take actions from a place of COMPASSION, UNDERSTANDING, and above all, LOVE.  Sharing some of the resources, organizations, & individuals I've curated thus far (see below).

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 Fund Racial Justice:

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Petitions to sign:


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Organizations to follow:

NAACP
Showing Up For Racial Justice
Civil Rights Org
Reclaim the Block
United We Dream
Color of  Change

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Numbers to call & text:

Call DA Mike Freeman in Minnesota 612-348-6660 & demand prosecution to Derek Chauvin (badge #1087) & Tou Thoa (badge #7162)
Text FLOYD to 55-156
Text JUSTICE to 66-8336
Text ENOUGH to 55-165
Leave a message for Louisville Mayor 502-574-2003 & demand justice for Breonna Taylor

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IG accounts to follow:

@theconsciouskid
@rachel.cargle
@jane_mount
@sylvestermcnutt
@tiffanymjewell
@danielleprescod

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Antiracism books to read: 

(illustration by @jane_mount)

Black Feminist Thought (Patricia Hill Collins)
Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower (Dr. Brittney Cooper)
Heavy: An American Momoir (Kiese Laymon)
How To Be An Antiracist (Ibram X. Kendi)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou)
Redefining Realness (Janet Mock)
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (Michelle Alexander)
The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century (Grace Lee Boggs)
The Warmth of Other Suns (Isabel Wilkerson)
Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston)

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Podcasts to subscribe:

1619 by The New York Times
About Race
Code Switch by NPR
The Diversity Gap
Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberle Crenshaw
Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
Pod For The Cause from the Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
Pod Save The People by Crooked Media 

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 Songs for your BLM playlist:

Strength Courage & Wisdom - India.Arie
Optimistic - Sounds of Blackness
This Is America - Childish Gambino
Mad - Solange, Lil Wayne
Let Love Lead - Terrian
Time's A Wastin - Erykah Badu
Hang On In There - John Legend, The Roots
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel - Nina Simone 

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 Movies that delves into racism:

 American Son - Kenny Leon
Green Book - Peter Farrelly 
If Beale Street Could Talk - Barry Jenkins
Dear White People - Justin Simien
See You Yesterday - Stefon Bristol
When They See Us - Ava Duvernay
13th - Ava Duvernay
Selma - Ava Duvernay
The Hate U Give - George Tillman Jr.
Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 - Chinonye Chukwu
Clemency - Chinonye Chukwu
Fruitvale Station - Ryan Coogler
I Am Not Your Negro - James Baldwin Documentary
Just Mercy - Destin Daniel Cretton
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

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Questions to ask yourself: 
(curated from SF Bucket List)

What can you do to support POC in your community?
What are your local politicians' policies on ending police brutality?
When were you taught about race & culture?
How do you plan on helping the fight to end racial discrimination and systematic oppression?
How can you use anti-racist knowledge to change and progress conversations with friends, family, colleagues, & peers?
How can you be actively anti-racist instead of simply "not racist"?
What do you want to learn more about?

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 More anti-racism resources here, here,  & here. 

Our voices and passions will be heard and we will make a difference.
"You may live in the world as it is, but you can still work to create the world as it should be." - Michelle Obama

(illustration by Sacree Frangine)

🖤

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