The revolution happening amid this pandemic is loud and unapologetic.
I’ve been outraged like many about another police brutality, this time against George Floyd which resulted in his tragic death. I have thought long and hard about how I can possibly make a difference?
I absolutely recognize my privilege as a non-black POC. I’m a Filipino-Canadian and I will never encounter anything remotely close to what our black brothers and sisters face every single day, but that does not mean I will sit in silence.
First and foremost, I do not tolerate racism and there is no room for hate or violence here.
I’ve been plugging away at this post gathering as much resource and information as possible to be informed. I stand with the black community, always, and the least I can do is listen, learn, and amplify their message.
I hope you’ll find this useful. I encourage you to take action.
Aside from raising awareness, I hope you’ll join me in making a donation to one of the following organizations if you are able to:
Donate to GEORGE FLOYD MEMORIAL FUND
Donate to other victims of racism and violence here
Donate to bailout funds for those protesting in different cities here
Donate to organizations:
Reclaim the block – The Crises facing our city like housing shortages, addiction, and violence in our communities need real investment. Reclaim the Block is calling on our city to invest in violence prevention, housing, resources for the youth, emergency health response teams, and solutions to the opioid crisis – not more police.
Black Lives Matter – 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.
Black Visions – Black Visions Collective envisions a world in which ALL Black Lives Matter. We use the guidance and brilliance of our ancestors as well as the teachings of our own experiences to pursue our commitment to dismantling systems of oppression and violence.
NAACP – The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
Black Youth Project – She Safe, We Safe, our current national campaign, is a transformative movement campaign to put an end to the different forms of gender violence that Black women, girls, femmes and gender non-conforming people face every day.
Winning Justice – The prosecutor accountability movement has developed a winning approach to ending the most unjust, unconstitutional, destructive and racist practices of prosecutors: money bail, over-charging, over-sentencing, over-policing, the drug war, attacking immigrants, sending our kids to adult prisons and keeping secrets about what’s really happening in their offices and in police departments.
Color of Change – Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.
The Advancement Project – Advancement Project is a next-generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive, and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social movements and achieve high impact policy change.
8 Can’t Wait – A Project By Campaign Zero on policies that can decrease police violence by 72%.
Please sign this petition to demand justice for George Floyd. All 4 officers must be charged, arrested, and convicted of murder. #justiceforgeorgefloyd
Sign this petition to Defund the Police
Sign this petition to raise the degree
More links to resources here: https://goodblacknews.org/2020/06/01/protest-options-a-list-of-links-to-petitions-donations-resources-and-education/
No one is born to hate – it’s taught at a very young age. Here are some books to start with for reference, as we broaden our perspectives, and listen to black voices that have been silenced for far too long. It’s time to decolonize our bookshelves.
Books for children written by black authors
27 Books to help you talk to your kids about racism
5 Black Children’s Authors and Illustrators You Should Know
A Diverse Summer Reading List for kids
1000 Black Girls Resource Guide
24 Children’s Books To Read To Your Kids In Honor of Black History
Books for adults written by black authors
*Essay: How to make this moment the turning point for change by Barack Obama
100 books written by African American Women
25 books by contemporary black authors
Lots of recommendations in the comments here for books written by POC.
List of contemporary books by POC
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Learn More, Be An Ally – Reading list
Revolution Reading List by Rachel Elizabeth Cargle
Watch: A conversation with President Obama: Reimagining Policing in the Wake of Continued Police Violence
A list of Canadian organizations in Toronto that empower and support black communities.
Black Lives Matter Toronto – a platform upon which black communities across Toronto can actively dismantle all forms of anti-black racism, liberate blackness, support black healing, affirm black existence, and create freedom to love and self- determine.
Black Legal Action Centre – a non-profit community legal clinic that provides free legal services for low or no income Black residents of Ontario
Black Youth Helpline – Primary prevention of social, psychological breakdown in communities through a focus on education, health and community development
Zero Gun Violence – We provide youth with resources, support and information to help end gun violence within their community.
The Black Liberation Collective – Black Liberation Collectives (BLC) are an international movement of students challenging anti-Black racism in post-secondary institutions in every way that it manifests.
AntiHate – The Canadian Anti-Hate Network monitors, researches, and counters hate groups by providing education and information on hate groups to the public, media, researchers, courts, law enforcement, and community groups.
Women’s Health in Women’s Hands – The Mandate of Women’s Health in Women’s Hands (WHIWH) Community Health Centre is to provide primary healthcare to racialized women from the African, Black, Caribbean, Latin American and South Asian communities in Toronto and surrounding municipalities.
Freedom School Toronto – is a youth and parent-driven initiative that intervenes to fight against anti-Black racism in the school system and creative educational alternatives for Black children.
Federation of Black Canadians – a national, non-profit organization, driven by organizations across the country that advances the social, economic, political, and cultural interests of Canadians of African descent.
ARTS
The Most Nurtured – Community-based holistic wellness in Toronto (Canada) created by and for Black women to become the most nurtured versions of themselves
NIA Centre for the Arts – Nia Centre for the Arts is a Toronto-based charitable organization that supports, showcases and promotes an appreciation of arts from across the Afro-Diaspora
Black Women in Motion – Our mission is to empower, celebrate and support the advancement of Black womxn. Through collaboration with local partners and community agencies, we deliver programs and connect our clients to resources that support their needs.
*This is a working list and will be updated as necessary. Feel free to leave comment below with suggestions of organizations specifically within Toronto that should be included.
The Black Wallet – The Black Wallet is a digital resource center for Black entrepreneurs and their businesses. We are your one-stop-shop for your digital business needs.
We Buy Black – More than a global marketplace for black-owned businesses, we’re a movement to see social and economical justice globally.
Cool and Brown – handmade wares by the coolest brown gals.
FIBRE RELATED BUSINESSES
A great place to start: BIPOC in Fiber, Buy from BIPOC
Lola Bean Yarn Co. – hand-dyed yarn and accessories
Ocean By The Sea – botanically hand-dyed yarn
Essence of Autumn – hand-dyed yarn
Tif Neilan – knitwear designer
Tamy Gore – knitwear designer
Denise Bayron – knitwear designer
Grace Anna Farrow – knitwear designer
Marceline Smith – knitwear designer
Brandi Cheyenne Harper – knitwear designer
Loopn’ Threads – Photography, lifestyle & handmade
String Thing Studio – Yarn shop
Shameka Clarke – knitting accessories
*This is also a working list and will be updated as necessary. Feel free to leave a comment below if you are or know of a black-owned Fibre related business and would like to be added.
To my fellow Filipinos, I wanted to address our community. You may have encountered a problematic parent, relative or family friend that can’t help themselves but make inappropriate racial jokes – not just against the black community but in general. Please, have those hard conversations and correct them. Let them know it is not ok and it needs to stop.
I also wanted to recognize Kalaya’an Mendoza from Across Frontlines, who I found via Instagram while protesting in New York. I’m inspired by the work they are doing and encourage you to check them out.
Read: 20+ Allyship actions for asians to show up for the black community right now
I urge you to speak up.
Take action.
Share this post.
Together, we will be heard.
BLACK LIVES MATTER.
*For the month of June, 100% of the profits from my shop will be donated to Reclaim the block, including profits from the wholesale order I’m finishing up this week.
*EDIT: 6/26/20. Reclaim the block has received tremendous support since this post was first published and is now re-directing donations elsewhere. After much consideration, I have decided I will be allocating my fundraiser to Black Lives Matter Toronto instead.
*Update, 7/8/20: Thank you so much to everyone who made a purchase from the shop during the month of June. Together, we raised $1,870 CAD for Black Lives Matter Toronto!
