We Stand With You
By: Maggie Laubscher
We believe in being actively anti-racist. And we stand up--and stand with--our black members, neighbors and friends. But it is most important to speak out right now: black lives matter.
These past days, we’ve been listening and protesting and donating and reading. Our Nelle community is dedicated to equity for women and those who are members of The Nelle family share our stance that our black sisters need us to actively show up.
The Nelle is multicultural and multilayered. Our members are creatives and leaders who are thoughtful and strong. We believe in showing up and sharing what actions to take to affect change.
So below, we’ve culled some resources and thoughts on some things that are needed right now:
Policy Change
Learning
Allyship
Prosecution
This is not a single post, one and done. This is a long game, and we are standing with other women to say, we will not stand for racism in any form. We are here for the long haul and willing to do the work that is required. We pledge to lift up black voices and to use our privilege in every space that we occupy. We pledge to keep reading and listening and learning. We pledge to donate our financial resources to support this crucial work. But most importantly, we will stand up in the face of racism.
As writer Chrissy Rutherford so eloquently said, “Anti-racism is the name of the fucking game right now.” (Please watch her full video on Instagram at @chrissyford.) Below are some resources. Be well and strong, Nellies.
On Policy Change
Protest. Why? Because NOT protesting has not been working. Watch this for more insight.
Vote. In KC, that’s on August 4, 2020. The last day to register is July 8, 2020.
Help local boards diversify their membership. Nelle member Nicole Jacobs Silvey helps make this happen. Contact her for more info.
Join Campaign Zero, an organization that uses research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America.
Support Shirley’s Kitchen Cabinet, a KC organization that engages black women in the political process.
Support Uzazi Village, a KC group that supports black maternal health.
Support National Black Justice Coalition, a civil rights organization aiming to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma, focused on federal public policy.
Participate in #8CantWait, eight policy changes to decrease police violence.
On Learning
Sign up for Rachel Cargle’s online class The Great Unlearn, on unlearning our whitewashed colonized understanding of the world.
Read about and support The BIPOC Project.
Do the work and Trouble the Narrative, in the words of Austin Channing.
Read and share anti-racism books. And try to buy them from one of the black-owned bookstores we list below.
On Allyship
Allyship, a primer here. And from Kayla Brown, there’s this:
A - always center the impacted
L - listen & learn from those who live in the oppression
L - leverage your privilege
Y - yield the floor
Support Black Excellence KC, a local group that strives to raise awareness of the community resources available to minority businesses.
Shop black-owned businesses. “In a capitalist country, we show what we value by what we pay for” - Nikole Hannah-Jones. Here are a few to start:
Troost Market Collective’s B.O.B. directory
Made in KC’s B.O.B. directory
Eye See Me - bookstore in STL
Fulton Street Books - bookstore in Tulsa OK
Shire Gate Farm - farm in Owensville MO
Retail Noire - National platform highlighting black fashion designers
On Prosecution
Donate to The Bail Project, an organization that pays bail for people in need.
Text “ENOUGH” to 55156 or sign this petition, both demand justice for Breonna Taylor.
Sign this petition demanding justice for George Floyd.
Sign this petition demanding life sentence for police brutality.