Black Lives Matter
Artwork by Quentin Monge
This past week has been a whirlwind of emotions. Listening, researching, self-reflection, talking about the white policeman David Chauvin murdering the unarmed Black man George Floyd & the wave of nationwide protests that have rightfully followed. The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have shown as a mirror my reflection of complacency to speak against injustice.
See current news source for more details here, here, & here.
I regret not saying Black Lives Matter openly earlier. I tip-toed around it when expressing how the 2017 Women’s March inspired me to act on women’s issues. I was close to saying it in full during the 2018 Fall 10x10 Challenge when the #10x10representationmatters conversation opened my eyes to minorities in the sustainable fashion industry. It’s taking much inner work to dismantle why a statement I believe in is difficult to vocalize. I think it stems from my unconscious biases.
I fear the people I’ve hurt most with my negligence to vocalize their lives matter are my Black friends. I rationalized they don’t want to hear it from me, but don’t we all want to feel seen & loved by our friends? Especially our friends. I like to say I live by the moniker “actions speak louder than words.” Actions might speak louder than words, but words must first talk to turn up the volume that is action.
I’ve become hyper-aware of my responsibility to make lasting changes in my life as a first-time mother (my daughter is due next week). To teach her and live by example, I have a lot of unraveling to do. The people around her are crucial to her growth in being a conscious, empathetic, informed, and compassionate human being as well.
It starts with words. Let us steadfastly hold one another accountable for the actions that must follow. We can do it together. Grace & patience for our inevitable missteps, but once we know better, we must do better. There is an urgency to begin now. For my family and me, I desire the long game of anti-racism (please click the link for the definition even if you’re uncomfortable). To foster a safe, just, and equal world for our children different from the world in which we grew up.
Who I’m listening to:
Brandy Gueary of Authentically.B — Brandy is 40 weeks pregnant & due any day now. I love following her pregnancy & Dr. appointment updates. She recently talked about self-reflection & having grace for people as we navigate how to dismantle racial injustices. Especially while pregnant needing to keep a healthy mental mindset for baby amongst the chaos & national unrest.
Erica Chidi — Erica is the author of Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, the pregnancy book I’ve found the most helpful so far. She writes like a warm hug. When you’re scared & anxious about how the baby will come out & how the baby is about to change your life, she is the person to listen to. She has a digestible list of books by Black women authors with an encouraging note to white women on how to navigate internal & external discussions on racism. She also spoke to prioritizing mental health parallel with anti-racism work to avoid burn out & not to place the responsibility of learning as white women onto Black women who are not offering. This is DIY work.
Vote — Short-term change can be made at the next election. State primaries in Michigan are in August 2020 followed by the presidential election in November 2020. Former President Obama gives me hope & a starting place to make real change with resources from the Obama Foundation: Anguish & Action.
