Black Lives Matter

Well, goddamn. The revolution is happening and I'm in Spain for it.  Feels hard to be away but I'm taking this time to read, reflect, take it in and donate where I can.

I start with this video : It's essential, it's powerful, it's everything. Then I re-commit to the following:

1. Make Myself Actively Think About White Supremacy & My Role Within Its Systems Every Single Day

Here is an incredible resource compiling all the podcasts, articles, books, movies, etc.

2. Put My Money Where My Mouth Is

I've been giving money and making a commitment to monthly donations to some of the below orgs and plan to actively seek out black-owned businesses when we are back in the States.

Plano Child Development Center

We Love Lake Street

Lauren Underwood Re-Election

Fair Fight

Black Visions Collective

https://www.thehelm.co/how-to-fund-black-women/

Black Mamas Matter

Equal Justice Initiative

3. Raise Race-Conscious Allies

We have talked frankly about race, gender, sexual orientation, class and the fucked up and unfair world we live in with our kids since they gained consciousness. It's time to double (triple? ...quadruple? ... ) down on that. Making sure that movies, TV and books they consume is rooted in diversity/inclusion and if it's not, ensuring they are absorbing that media through a critical lens. Talking about race and equity within the context of their school, our neighborhood, their everyday life and brainstorm ways (with them!) that they can be allies.

Leo's first action: "I am going to ask Lego to make more Black minifigures" (Everything always boils down to Legos with this child) We watched the CNN/Sesame Street town hall yesterday morning and within the first few minutes Will was like "Has Trump seen this?! He needs to see this and then he will have to change!!! This isn't right!!! " Shaking my head and loving that dear naive boy.

4. Talk about it. 

Guys, I want to talk about this stuff and am soooooo open to convos. Luckily, I've worked at a school  where racial identity and white supremacy is examined on a daily basis for the past 10 years. It's uncomfortable and hard work, but I would love to check in with anyone who wants to break it down.

5. Never Stop