Forging Ahead Without Sliding Back
First off, after consulting with folks in our Facebook group, I decided to go ahead with our planned workshop this Wednesday, 6/10 at 6pm EST with author, advice columnist, and Twitter expert JP Brammer on “How to Build and Use Your Online Platform for Good.” You can register here. Though we will also record this workshop so you can go back and watch it later if you’re say, busy being at a Black Lives Matter protest, which you should definitely prioritize if you’re able.
Last week, I held a small session with folks on “Writing and Social Justice” to discuss how our specific community was feeling at this moment. The group consisted primarily (possibly exclusively) of non-Black POC and white folks, which I hope is reflective not of Black folks feeling unwelcome in general, but that there were better, Black-led spaces for Black folks to be in at this time. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have feedback on that front.
Given the group composition, our discussion evolved into one about resources for non-Black people and communities to address anti-Blackness. Here are some that people at the meeting recommended:
Race Forward
Trainings that aim to address structural racism, rather than diversity trainings that emphasize interpersonal interactions.
Rachel Cargle - The Great Unlearn
Self-paced set of resources geared toward unlearning racism and anti-Blackness.
The Catalyst Project
“We organize, train and mentor white people to take collective action to end racism.”
Race Conscious Dialogues
“designed for people who are white to deepen their awareness of identity, power and privilege, then develop tools for anti-racism work.”
Writing the Other
A resource for writers on writing characters that are really different from them.
I also found this Frontline Medics post, “How to Rest & Recover While You Fight for Social Change” really useful and fortifying.
Lastly, while I’m not up for silly GIFs right now, this collaboration between Andre D. Wagner and Kiese Laymon gave me hope and happiness today and I hope that goes for you too.