BLACK. lIVES. mATTER.
“I never have been in despair about the world; I've been enraged by the world… I can't afford despair.” —James Baldwin
the destruction of Hope is the greatest tool of the oppressor,
May we continue to nurture ongoing HOPE-FULL Dialogue with one another.
May we remain FOCUSED.
May we rest, recharge, and NEVER GIVE IN to the despair.
Mutual aid and community is the KEY to our collective liberation.
Here are small, powerful tools//Choose ONE every day:
listen to Indigenous elders.
listen + learn from Activist Elders, whose shoulders we stand Upon.
Listen more than you speak when having conversations with people who think differently than you.
un-learn and re-educate yourself on our nation’s history.
(It will take time, be gentle with yourself)
CENTER AND SUPPORT MOTHERS//CHILDREN
Make this country safe again: https://marchforourlives.org/
study nonviolence with bernice king and her incredible team of educators: www.theKingCenter.org
(there are many affordable online courses)
CENTER TRANS aND NON-BINARY VOICES.
Protect your LGBTQ2S+ friends and family,
Remind them and VOTE like you have their back.
learn about the MMIWG2S crisis//support the healing
of indigenous women, girls, and 2spirit relatives: WWW.NIWRC.ORG
Divest from banks who support pipelines
that endanger our native communities
MAKE ART // mAKE ART//MAKE ART!!
Raise awareness on social justice issues that move you
BUY BANNED BOOKS. Read them and gift them to people you love.
VOTE. (even when it feels pointless, please vote)
take action to protect voter rights: www.myfairfight.com
protest for causes you believe in with organizers you trust.
Research, include, and honor INTERSECTIONALITY in your efforts
sign petitions/donate to causes you support
TRAVEL//experience different cultures and ways of life.
(Turtle Island is a very small part of a global world house that has so much to teach us)
support BIPOC creators and small business owners over massive corporations who are knowingly destroying the planet
Support survivors of climate disasters and wildfires: https://www.hispanicfederation.org/unidos/ (to help Puerto Rico) https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/ (to help Hawaii)
recognize that environmental justice = social justice.
Consider meatless mondays//even one day a week of a plant-based diet helps to reduce greenhouse emissions https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/20/vegan-diet-cuts-environmental-damage-climate-heating-emissions-study
Reading materials to help guide you If you get overwhelmed
Visit https://www.standing-together.org/ to educate yourself on the conflict from the perspective of Palestinian and Israeli activists working in community for a safe future
read ibram x. kendi’s antiracist reading list:
http:/chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/204842963/1357692923
read “the red deal”: https://www.commonnotions.org/the-red-deal
Read “The Intersectional Environmentalist” by leah Thomas: https://www.intersectionalenvironmentalist.com/
Read Tricia Hersey’s “Rest is Resistance” https://thenapministry.com/
small steps lead to big change: Take action in your local community -- Every intentional action counts//every moment drives us forward.
Original art designed by: @tyerasestha