02: sitting with the discomfort π
committing to the monthly letter (may 2020)
Iteration #4 of this monthly letter full of feelings.Β
This issue's theme is:Β ββΎΒ βΒ sitting with the discomfortΒ βΌΒ βγ»
"Calling for accountability is not an attack -β itβs a rally to make sure change is actually happening in this country and this world. And itβs something each of us need to do with ourselves as well. Itβs uncomfortable, but so is being hunted, hated and mistreated in a place your ancestors built for free."Β 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).Β
If you're buying lots of new books right now, PLEASE consider buying them from anywhere but amazon (Jeff Bezos is profitingΒ right now β that's just objectively fucked up, right?!)Β like Books Are Magic, indiebound, orΒ bookshop.org, which gives back to local bookstores! Here are some good bookΒ recommendations from Baratunde Thurston. Buy directly from his bookshop.org lists + bookshop donates $ back to indie bookstores! OR order from your favorite local bookstore'sΒ website directly!
Here is a thread full ofΒ 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.Β 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?Β
Just a small list of a few black folks you should consider following:Β
βΏΒ Akiea Gross is an educator who just launchedΒ Woke KindergartenΒ β 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).
βΏΒ Jenna WorthamΒ is a culture writer for NYT, co-host of the AMAZING podcast "Still Processing" + editor of "Black Futures." Follow her on instagram + twitter.
βΏ Kia Damon (aka @kiacooks)Β is a freelance chef and Cherry Bombe contributor. Her instagram is GOOD.
βΏΒ Rachel PegramΒ is a comedian & writer that I worked with at the Y and she's just really great.
βΏΒ X Mayo is a comedy writer, actor,Β and creator of "Who Made the Potato Salad?" a sketch show featuring all POCΒ that uplifts diverse voices by giving them a huge platform to showcase their talent.Β
βΏΒ Kimberly Drew (aka @museummammy) Β is a curator of black art and experiences and wrote a beautiful book with Pocket Change CollectiveΒ called "This is What I Know About Art." Follow her on twitter too.
βΏΒ Aurora James is the fashion designer behind Brother Vellies (aka the creatorΒ of those beautiful doodleΒ boots)
βΏΒ Gabriella Karefa-Johnson is the Fashion Director for Garage Magazine. She has an amazingly helpful list of resources on her instagram stories here.
βΏ 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.
βΏ Tiffany Reid is the Fashion Director for BDG. Her career She and journalist Lindsey Granger have been doing great instagram live talks.
βΏΒ Ericka Harte is a writer, sex educator, social justice disruptor, and breast cancer survivor.Β Follow them on instagram, twitter, and take a class or watch a lecture.
βΏΒ 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. defundΒ 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 resourcesΒ (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 VoiceΒ by Sherronda J. Brown.
Another very small thing we can do is vote trustworthy, empathetic individuals into office.Β 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.Β
Who are you voting for in June? Look up your ballotΒ here β»
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 videoΒ 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)Β twitterΒ βΒ instagram
Shahana Hanif City Council District 39Β (Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Columbia Waterfront, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill)Β twitterΒ βΒ instagram
Amanda FariasΒ City Council District 18Β (South Bronx)Β twitterΒ βΒ instagram
Tricia Shimamura City Council District 5 (Upper East Side)Β twitterΒ βΒ instagram
Marcela MitaynesΒ NY State Assembly District 51Β (Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Redhook)Β twitterΒ βΒ instagram
Samra BroukΒ Senate NY 55 (Rochester, Monroe + Ontario Counties)Β twitterΒ βΒ instagram
Alexandria Ocasio CortezΒ wouldn't it be devastating if she lost her seat? I love her.
WHAT ELSE?
Norman Brannon (emo/post-hardcore sweetheart) on Harry Styles β₯οΈΒ Β Remember when Styles defended teenage girls in this interview, saying "Whoβs to say that young girls who like pop music have worse musical taste than a 30-year-old hipster guy? Thatβs not up to you to say. Music is something thatβs always changing. Thereβs no goal posts. Young girls like the Beatles. You gonna tell me theyβre not serious? How can you say young girls donβt get it? Theyβre our future. Our future doctors, lawyers, mothers, presidents, they kind of keep the world going. Teenage-girl fans β they donβt lie. If they like you, theyβre there. They donβt act βtoo cool.β They like you, and they tell you. Which is sick." Harry Styles is punk AF.
LASTLY, a Very Good Tweet to soothe. π
This newsletter wasΒ written from theΒ Onundagaonoga (Onondaga) & Haudenosaunee territoryΒ To learn more about the stolen land you're occupying, visit native-land.caΒ β°
