This time…. There WILL be a change.
Today, is Black Out Tuesday! If you're not sure what that is see below:
“Blackout Tuesday, a day promoted by activists to observe, mourn and bring about policy change in the wake of the death of George Floyd. This movement has spread on social media, where organizations, brands and individuals are posting solemn messages featuring stark black backgrounds.
Please note: the Black Lives Matter hashtag is best used for posting information, resources, and stories that contribute to the movement. If you’ve posted a black square in solidarity and or support please do not use the Black Lives Matter tag, that way people can still use Black Lives Matter to share and find information.”
As an African American woman I must say, I’m sick of being scared when the cops pull me over because I don’t want to be the next Sandra Bland. I’m sick of worrying about if my little cousins will make it past 25-years-old because they’re Black. I’m sick of people looking at me as if I don’t belong where I live. Like yes… I can afford to live here too. I’m sick of people worrying about me stealing when I don’t even like taking pens from work. My skin does not take away from the person I am. It doesn’t make me less than human, and it definitely doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings.
I’m at a point where I can’t cry about our injustices, let alone the people that ignore them. It’s time for organized action! It’s time to not just hashtag names, we MUST do our parts in making this change.
Below are links that will help start the process of making the change. I do ask that you don’t only share this post or click the links. DO YOUR PART. Sign the petitions , make the phone calls, send out the emails, and VOTE! *if you're not registered to vote click here*
DIRECT LINKS TO LOCAL CAUSES via The Stranger
Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County Freedom Fund
The local branch of the volunteer-run social justice organization Black Lives Matter has established a fund to help provide bail to those who have been arrested for protesting the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Manuel Ellis in May.
This fund provides cash bail for marginalized, low-income people incarcerated for low-level crimes in King and Snohomish County.
Following the fatal police shooting of his brother, Che, Seattle's Andrè Taylor formed this nonprofit that successfully backed Initiative 940, which "removed the 'malice' standard previously needed to charge Washington law enforcers with violent crimes,"Seattle Met
Victim Family Funds
Seattle's history of racist violence is just as dire as it is in Minneapolis, Louisville, and other states across America. Support the families of locals whose loved ones have been killed by police, includingSaid Joquin, who was killed in Lakewood on May 1 for allegedly running a traffic stop, andManuel Ellis, who died after a police confrontation in Tacoma in March.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The Pioneer Squarestudiohas compiled a list of reading materials, videos, and other resources outlining the relationship between graphic design and the fight for equality throughout history.
Not sure how to help the fight racial injustice beyond making donations? Educate yourself with the local bookstore'slist of booksby black authors (available for purchase through their website), like Bryan Stevenson'sJust Mercyand Ta-Nehisi Coates'sWe Were Eight Years in Power.
This list compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein includes tons of articles, videos, podcasts, books, films and TV, and other links "intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work."
Seattle Rep's Racial Justice Resources
Seattle Rephas compiled links to local and national donation sites, memorial funds, petitions, and education material, plus numbers to call to demand justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade.
Petitions To Sign viaBlack Lives Matter
- Raise The Degree - change.org
- George Floyd - change.org
- George Floyd - change.org 2
- George Floyd - thepetitionsite.com
- George Floyd - amnesty.org
- George Floyd - colorofchange.org
- Get The Officers Charged
- Charge All Four Officers
- Breonna Taylor - moveon.org
- Breonna Taylor - colorofchange.org
- Breonna Taylor - justiceforbreonna.org
- Breonna Taylor - change.org
- Ahmaud Arbery - change.org
- Ahmaud Arbery - change.org 2
- Ahmaud Arbery - change.org 3
- Pass The Georgia Hate Crime Bill
- Defund MPD
- Life Sentence For Police Brutality
- Regis Korchinski - change.org
- Tony McDade - change.org
- Tony McDade - actionnetwork.org
- Joao Pedro - change.org
- Julius Jones - change.org
- Belly Mujinga - change.org
- Willie Simmons - change.org
- Hands Up Act - change.org
- National Action Against Police Brutality
- Kyjuanzi Harris - change.org
- Alejandro Vargas Martinez - change.org
- Censorship Of Police Brutality In France
- Sean Reed - change.org
- Sean Reed - change.org 2
- Kendrick Johnson - change.org
- Tamir Rice - change.org
- Tamir Rice - change.org 2
- Fire Racist Criminal From The NYPD
- Jamee Johnson - organizefor.org
- Darius Stewart - change.org
- Darius Stewart - moveon.org
- Abolish Prison Labor
- Free Siyanda - change.org
- Chrystul Kizer - change.org
- Chrystul Kizer - change.org 2
- Andile Mchunu (Bobo) - change.org
- Find more here
ALSO viaThe Stranger
#BlackLivesMatter March For Black Lives
Black Lives Matter Seattle will host a protest in Westlake Park demanding swift justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other black Americans killed by white police officers.
Sunday, June 14 (Downtown)
Those near the South Sound can join the Washington Community Action Network and Olympia Showing Up for Racial Justice at the Heritage Park fountain to peacefully protest the racist systems that led to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and countless others. Expect speeches from local black families who have lost loved ones to racist violence, including Justice for Yvonne McDonald, Andre Thompson, Bryson Chaplin, and Jackie Salyers.
Tuesday, June 2 (Olympia)
Neighborhood Vigil for George Floyd
South Seattle Action for Justice will hold in-person vigils every Monday evening honoring the life of George Floyd. The organizers write, "There is a large parking lot there near Full Tilt Ice Cream where we will be able to social distance and street parking is available."
Mondays through June 29 (Rainier Valley)
Peaceful Candlelight Vigil for George Floyd
Residents of Snohomish County can honor the life of George Floyd with the Beverly Elementary School PTA, who will hold a vigil near St. Timothy’s Church encouraging candles, flashlights, and signs. The sidewalks will be marked with chalk to help maintain social distancing.
Wednesday, June 3 (Snohomish)
For a whole week on Facebook, celebrate black American history and culture with Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County and FW Black Collective. The kid-friendly events range from a virtual watch party of the 2016 documentary13th, guided meditations, DJ sets, a food-related event with James Beard Award-winning Chef Edouardo Jordan, raffles, and more.
June 15-21 (online)
Keeping It Real: Black Health Under Threat
In this virtual Greater Seattle Business Association panel, Ashley McGirt, Dr. Yuel Boyce, and ChrisTiana ObeySumner will discuss racial injustices in the U.S. healthcare system, which is particularly prevalent now, when black people are being disproportionally affected by COVID-19.
Thursday, June 4 (online)
I love my people more than a few letters on this blog can convey to the public. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. And together… We WILL make a change. And THAT’s on PERIOD!
Follow me on Instagram @naybesa for real-time updates on what’s happening!