Real quick - has this become a blog about racism? No.
While I have shifted the majority of my focus to this effort, I am being very careful not to suddenly claim myself an “expert.” Because I am far from one. I am learning, and I am sharing what I learn; I am learning, and I’m hoping you are too.
That said, I am committed to continuing this work well beyond our social media feeds going back to “normal.”
If I’m being honest, I don’t know yet how this will reflect in my business and the things I share - but I am hoping that is DOES reflect.
(note: unsubscribe button still there if you need it)
I will say, it’s amazing how much you can learn in one week. This can happen if you’re willing to get uncomfortable.
Is my anxiety acting up? YES. Is it worth it? YES.
I think of all of the black and brown folks who deal with this anxiety x10 EVERY DAY.
I have learned that you are either contributing to racism or you are actively working against it.*
I have learned that the first step towards working against it is to accept and admit that you have been contributing to it - perhaps you didn’t know. I get it.
You guys - this is mindfulness. This is self-awareness. This is walking your talk. This is being-willing-to-look-INSIDE-and-really-examine-yourself at it’s finest.
This is not different from what we’ve been talking about this whole time, and yet, it’s much more important.
This is why we’ve been working on building self-care practices and grounding exercises for when shit gets real. You know what you need to do to take care of yourself - DO THAT, but don’t use that as an excuse to not get involved. As with anything, start where you are. Go slow. Take breaks. This is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve been training for this.
So - below is a list of further resources, and below that is a link to the Mindfulness + Anti-Racism group where we’re intentionally moving through this work and having the hard conversations, as well as a video I watched this week that really stuck with me. I hope you’ll dive in with me.
xo,
m.
*if this statement is confusing to you, I encourage you to reach out (to me, or to another non-black person) to have a conversation, google something, and try to understand what I mean.
RESOURCES
Orgs to donate to
People to follow
@Ijeomaoluo - author of “So you want to talk about race”
@Sonyareneetaylor - author + poet, radical self-love
@moemotivate (Monique Melton) - author, speaker, podcast host, anti-racism educator
@laylafsaad - author of “Me and White Supremacy”
@thedailyshow / Trevor Noah - real news
@lalahdelia - Poet
@domrobxts - Designer activist
@thegreatunlearn / @rachel.cargle
@nicolecardoza - yoga instructor, wellness accessibility (reclamation ventures) sharing daily action via email
@leesareneehall - writing prompts to explore bias, fragility, privilege
@decolonizing_fitness - fitness accessible to all bodies
@iamrachelrickets - activist, healer, spirituality
**whatever your industry is (fashion, fitness, food, etc) diversify the people you follow on that topic
Books to read
Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X Kendi
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
So You Want to Talk About Race By Ijeoma Oluo
Movies to watch
Malcom X
13th
If Beale Street Could Talk
When They See Us
Queen & Slim
12 years a Slave
Roots
Mindfulness + Anti-Racism Group
How to engage in anti-racism without causing more harm by Monique Melton
