BLACK LIVES MATTER. From our co-founder Erin Schrode… Black lives matter. But what am I doing concretely to ensure that is more than a hashtag, a rallying cry, a black square? I’ll share below. What are you/we doing in our lives to start within, educate ourselves, engage friends on issues, use our platforms, leverage privilege, raise voices, focus resources, activate networks, donate intentionally, put our bodies on the line? If we really believe black lives matter + want to see that be a reality in our communities/country, those are the questions we need ask, as we recommit to the hands-on messy never-ending work of fighting for justice + anti-racism.
There’s no one way to stand for justice. You can’t do it all, nor should anyone attempt or be expected to. But we need all of us to bend the arc. I’m inspired by ppl calling attn to the pain, hurt, tragedy, needs, impact + potential of this moment…but what’d you do yesterday? Or today? Tomorrow? Tomorrow’s tomorrow?
I’m proud to lead Conscious Kitchen to feed students where we’ve worked in Marin City for 7 years + families, elders, vulnerable most affected by Covid + current crises, disproportionately black bc of long-standing systemic oppression. At the heart of my work lies food justice, equity + access.
There is not a checklist, no right way to be an ally + nothing’ll ever be enough, but I seek to do my part + have purchased books by black authors to learn (*paid), bought art from black painters (*paid), ordered clothes from black-owned biz (*paid), downloaded a new app by black techies (*paid), became a Patreon of a black creator (*paid), watched black-produced videos/docs (*on paid/legit platforms), donated to black-founded orgs, signed petitions for racial justice, reshared black writers/thinkers/doers (*w credit), called local police for policy reform, challenged NGOs I work w to take vocal positions, form new bridges + make concrete change. I fully acknowledge all is woefully inadequate, but I’m present, listening intently, holding space for hard convos w black + white friends, sharing useful tools (stories limit!) + endeavoring to absorb, engage deeply + do more of what I’m asked/capable of…
I’ll continue to stand in solidarity w black friends, activists, leaders, community near/far, to elevate black voices, ally w black-led orgs, commit to racial justice (+ do the work w white peers!), not only w our team preparing food for and representing (for those of us who can’t be there physically right now) yesterday at the peaceful protest in Marin City or on social, but everyday in direct, meaningful ways. Thanks to our CK staff, volunteers, partners like Play Marin, kids, supporters, educators + community beacons whose wisdom we heed, inspiration we feel + example we follow.
We need all hands on deck in every lane around the clock doing what we can where we are with all we have for justice. So what are you doing? I want to hear, to know, to learn, to be inspired and activated to rise.