02: sitting with the discomfort 💌
committing to the monthly letter (may 2020)
Iteration #4 of this monthly letter full of feelings.Â
This issue's theme is: ⌇☾ ⚘ sitting with the discomfort ☼ ○・
"Calling for accountability is not an attack -– it’s a rally to make sure change is actually happening in this country and this world. And it’s something each of us need to do with ourselves as well. It’s uncomfortable, but so is being hunted, hated and mistreated in a place your ancestors built for free." ryan norville
I'm using this newsletter this month to highlight some things that are meaningful to me. I hope you'll consider reading on and spending some time with a few of the thoughts, resources, and instagram accounts below (like the unapologetic street series by Johanna Reign, who created the "Black Lives Over Property, Black Lives Over Capitalism" piece below).Â
If you're buying lots of new books right now, PLEASE consider buying them from anywhere but amazon (Jeff Bezos is profiting right now – that's just objectively fucked up, right?!) like Books Are Magic, indiebound, or bookshop.org, which gives back to local bookstores! Here are some good book recommendations from Baratunde Thurston. Buy directly from his bookshop.org lists + bookshop donates $ back to indie bookstores! OR order from your favorite local bookstore's website directly!
Here is a thread full of articles to read, from Audre Lorde to Toni Morrison. Bookmark it and find a new article to dive into any time you open instagram!
Take care of yourselves & your community this week. Love you. xo
AMPLIFYING BLACK VOICES
One incredibly small thing we can each do is listen to more black voices, surround ourselves with narratives that don't mirror our own, and literally just give more likes and follows to black women so they are the ones flooding our feeds & not performative white folks, you know?
We know how much a social media following can impact your visibility and even your career. Did you know that Rachel Lyndsay, the only black bachelorette to date, has significantly less instagram followers (in the thousands) compared to her white contemporaries, who have follower counts in the millions? Do we think that's a coincidence?Â
Just a small list of a few black folks you should consider following:Â
✿ Akiea Gross is an educator who just launched Woke Kindergarten – I cannot cheerlead enough for this work. Please follow and repost Ki's read alouds! These are such beautiful resources for educating children on social justice issues in a gentle and nurturing way (not to mention Ki has the sweetest voice, it will heal you).
✿ Jenna Wortham is a culture writer for NYT, co-host of the AMAZING podcast "Still Processing" + editor of "Black Futures." Follow her on instagram + twitter.
✿ Kia Damon (aka @kiacooks) is a freelance chef and Cherry Bombe contributor. Her instagram is GOOD.
✿ Rachel Pegram is a comedian & writer that I worked with at the Y and she's just really great.
✿ X Mayo is a comedy writer, actor, and creator of "Who Made the Potato Salad?" a sketch show featuring all POC that uplifts diverse voices by giving them a huge platform to showcase their talent.Â
✿ Kimberly Drew (aka @museummammy)  is a curator of black art and experiences and wrote a beautiful book with Pocket Change Collective called "This is What I Know About Art." Follow her on twitter too.
✿ Aurora James is the fashion designer behind Brother Vellies (aka the creator of those beautiful doodle boots)
✿ Gabriella Karefa-Johnson is the Fashion Director for Garage Magazine. She has an amazingly helpful list of resources on her instagram stories here.
✿ Ziwe Fumudoh is a comedian, incredibly gorgeous fashion icon, and overall very cool person. She writes for Desus and Mero! Follow her on instagram and twitter.
✿ Tiffany Reid is the Fashion Director for BDG. Her career She and journalist Lindsey Granger have been doing great instagram live talks.
✿ Ericka Harte is a writer, sex educator, social justice disruptor, and breast cancer survivor. Follow them on instagram, twitter, and take a class or watch a lecture.
✿ Rachel Cargle is an incredible teacher that everyone needs to follow. Follow her on instagram, check out her work with @thegreatunlearn, and if you're able to give just $5 to therapy for black girls, please consider doing so.
It is not enough to just follow and repost. It should not take someone's death to radicalize us. We have to do better every day to fight for justice in our country. Advocate for change. defund the police, demand reparations, speak up to your boss, be a squeaky wheel, use your privilege to reduce harm.
If you're looking for ways to get involved, engage, and resist in a thoughtful and useful way, please look through this list of anti-racism resources (specifically organized for white folks, by white folks, because POC should not be bearing the burden of teaching us how to not be oppressive). It includes books, podcasts, organizations to support, and even resources for children! Bookmark it! Marlee Grace also has a fantastic list in their recent newsletter. If you are unable to physically protest right now, consider making a donation to your local bail fund to support those who are.
If you get most of your #resistance information from Shaun King, consider reading this article from Wear Your Voice by Sherronda J. Brown.
Another very small thing we can do is vote trustworthy, empathetic individuals into office. Amy Klobuchar once declined to prosecute the cop responsible for George Floyd's death. The first three District Attorneys mishandled the murder of Ahmaud Aubrey. We have to be able to trust these elected officials to do the right thing.Â
Who are you voting for in June? Look up your ballot here ☻
Women of Color Running For Office:
Click her name to see her website & donate. Then click the links to follow her on social media. Watch this video showcasing WOC running to inspire you! Follow @woc4progress to stay updated!
Whitney Hu City Council District 38 (Red Hook, Sunset Park, South Slope, Windsor Terrace, Dyker Heights & Borough Park) twitter ⋆ instagram
Shahana Hanif City Council District 39 (Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Columbia Waterfront, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill) twitter ⋆ instagram
Amanda Farias City Council District 18 (South Bronx) twitter ⋆ instagram
Tricia Shimamura City Council District 5 (Upper East Side) twitter ⋆ instagram
Marcela Mitaynes NY State Assembly District 51 (Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Redhook) twitter ⋆ instagram
Samra Brouk Senate NY 55 (Rochester, Monroe + Ontario Counties) twitter ⋆ instagram
Alexandria Ocasio Cortez wouldn't it be devastating if she lost her seat? I love her.
WHAT ELSE?
Norman Brannon (emo/post-hardcore sweetheart) on Harry Styles ♥︎  Remember when Styles defended teenage girls in this interview, saying "Who’s to say that young girls who like pop music have worse musical taste than a 30-year-old hipster guy? That’s not up to you to say. Music is something that’s always changing. There’s no goal posts. Young girls like the Beatles. You gonna tell me they’re not serious? How can you say young girls don’t get it? They’re our future. Our future doctors, lawyers, mothers, presidents, they kind of keep the world going. Teenage-girl fans – they don’t lie. If they like you, they’re there. They don’t act ‘too cool.’ They like you, and they tell you. Which is sick." Harry Styles is punk AF.
LASTLY, a Very Good Tweet to soothe. 🙃
This newsletter was written from the Onundagaonoga (Onondaga) & Haudenosaunee territory To learn more about the stolen land you're occupying, visit native-land.ca ⋰
