I don’t have all the answers, but I know that action needs to be taken. Racism hurts everyone. Racial inequality is just as much a White person problem as it is for a Person of Color. As a person of privilege, it is my job to educate myself, fight for justice, correct my family members and inner circle when they are misinformed or unjust, and support People of Color in this moment and everyday. I know I will never fully understand the depths of the experience of racism as my Black peers do, and I am listening to become wiser. I am reading to unlearn the error of my ways and gain understanding into true cultural competence. I am supporting the communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in getting their message heard.
I am offering empathy and support to those who need assistance right now.
This is triggering. This is the stuff that needs to be talked about. This is trauma.
For me to call myself a trauma informed therapist who is inclusive of all spectrums of gender, sexual, racial, and ethnic identities, I need to be curious. I need to be educated, and I need to be braver than I have been in standing up for what I believe in which is justice and equality. I need to acknowledge my privilege in the broken system of power we live in.
These conversations are not comfortable. They are risky and painful and they bring up a lot of trauma. The needed conversations usually are not the comfortable ones. I will always stand for love and will always open my heart to those different from myself. My imperfect self is here as an ally, a listening ear, an open heart, and a human equal to you no matter who you are or where you come from. I want to hear your story. If you disagree with me, I want to hear your story too. We cannot create change unless we listen and keep an open heart.
I am beyond grateful to BIPOC for expressing the way they need to be supported during this time, and sharing resources that will assist the white community in doing so. I will leave you with a list of books, resources, and ways to support BIPOC during this time that I have been collecting over the week.
Yes this is a very painful time, and it also is a time to come together. I commit to taking action from this day forward toward equality, justice, inclusion, and love.
Join me in being part of the solution.
In solidarity,
Marissa
Resources
Books:
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
How I Shed My Skin: Unlearning the Racist Lessons of a Southern Childhood by Jim Grimsley
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele
Mindful of Race by Ruth King
Good Talk by Mira Jacob
Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice by Paul Kivel
Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X Kendi
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out by Ruth King
Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving
New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
Killing Rage; Ending Racism by Bell Hooks
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Locked Down, Locked Out by Maya Schenwar
Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper
Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown
Beyond the Pale: White Women, Racism, and History by Vron Ware
Unaplologetic by Charlene A. Carruthers
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
Beloved by Toni Morrison
*These are books I have collected for myself this week to continue my education on racial and social injustice. If you know of other books I should read and add to my list, please send me a message.
Documentaries:
The 13th (2016)
When They See Us (2019)
I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
Crime + Punishment (2016)
Let the Fire Burn (2013)
The Black Power Mixed Tape 1967-1975 (2011)
The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson (2017)
The Two Killings Of Sam Cooke (2019)
Ferguson A Report From Occupied Territory (2015)
Who Killed Malcom X (2020)- TV Documentary Series
Strong Island (2017)
Becoming (2020)
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker (2020)
Time: The Kalief Browder Story (2017)
Podcasts
Opt-in with Aurora+Kelly
1619
Code Switch (NPR)
About Race
Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberle Crenshaw
The Diversity Gap
Keep It
Momenutum: A Race Forward Podcast
Seeing White
Organizations:
NAACP: The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all individuals without discrimination based on race : naacp.org
United Negro College Fund: A non-profit organization that fights for a better future through education and scholarships for minority groups : uncf.org
Color of Change: Color Of Change designs campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and champion solutions that move us all forward : colorofchange.org
Black Youth Project 100: Vulnerable families have lost their jobs, can’t pay rent, and need help now. Together we can make a difference by quickly delivering cash : givedirectly.org
The BIPOC Project: The BIPOC Project aims to build authentic and lasting solidarity among Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), in order to undo Native invisibility, anti-Blackness, dismantle white supremacy and advance racial justice : thebipocproject.org
The Sentencing Project: The Sentencing Project has worked for fair and effective U.S. criminal justice system for 30 years : sentencingproject.org
Families against Mandatory Minimums: FAMM seeks to create a more fair and effective justice system that respects our American values of individual accountability and dignity while keeping communities safe : famm.org
A New Way Of Life: A New Way of Life Reentry Project provides housing, case management, pro bono legal services, advocacy and leadership development for women rebuilding their lives after prison : anewwayoflife.org
Dream Defenders: A youth organization gathering to fight for a future they deserve : dreamdefenders.org
Southern Poverty Law Center: A non profit organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society : splcenter.org
George Floyd Memorial Fund: official gofundme to support the Floyd family : gofundme.co/georgefloyd
Minnesota Freedom Fund: community based non profit that pays criminal bail and immigration bonds for individuals who have been arrested while protesting police brutality: minnesotafreedomfund.org
Black Visions Collective: A Black ,Trans, and Queer- led organization that is committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence and shifting the public narrative to create transformative long term change : www.blackvisionsmn.org
Reclaim the Block: coalition that advocates for and invests in community-led safety initiatives in Minneapolis neighborhoods : reclaimtheblock.org
Campaign Zero: online platformand organization that utilizes research- based policy solutions to end police brutality in America : joincampaignzero.org
Unicorn Riot: non-profit organization that is dedicated to exposing root causes of dynamic and social and environmental issues : unicornriot.ninja
I run with Maude: Justice for Amaud Arbery fundraiser : gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maude
Justice for Breonna Taylor petition and fundraiser: change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
Louisville Community Bail Fund: actionnetwork.org/fundraising/Louisville-community-bail-fund
National Bail Out: nationalbailout.org
National Bail Out Fund- Free Black Mamas: secure.actblue.com/donate/freeblackmamas2020
Transgender Law Center in Memory of Tony McDade: Transgender Law Center changes law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression : transgenderlawcenter.org
Brooklyn Community Bail Fund: Brooklynbailfund.org
North Star Health Collective: health providers who work in alliance with mainstream and anti-authoritarian organizations to create a safe and healthy events : northstarhelathcollective.org
Richmond for All: a coalition of individuals and organizations fighting for housing, education, environmental, & racial justice : richmondforall.com/get-involved
Helpful Articles:
Annuity.org - a free financial web resource accredited by the Better Business Bureau published a compelling and in-depth article about Closing the racial wealth gap in America.
This article discusses:
- The impact that this knowledge gap has on the African American community
- Socioeconomic and cultural barriers
- The role of Black financial advisors about closing the racial wealth gap in America.
Please take a look here:
annuity.org/financial-literacy/black-community/
Ways to support:
Support BIPOC businesses (visit supportblackowned.com to find Black owned businesses to support in your area) , donate, join organizations that fight for social justice and racial equality, speak up against racial injustice, VOTE, listen, spread the message of BIPOC voices, know your privilege and take action, spread some love.