EP 51 - #BLM Clarity + Answers with Love: What You Can do Now to Help The Black Lives Matter Movement

Wabi Sabi - The Perfectly Imperfect Podcast with Candice Kumai

PODCAST 51:

Black lives matter BLM

Clarity and Answers from Jenelle + Barry + We love you, all of you, always

• Please listen to this full podcast to meet my friends Jenelle and Barry

What makes us American: we all come from different walks of life + it is our differences, the history of our mixed cultures and our variance of stories that make us more beautiful. My best friends Jenelle and Barry work the frontlines of communications across the US.. from NYC to LA..It was always the tough times that brought us closer together…

Our parents and grandparents survived war, famine, racism and discrimination -- let’s also celebrate many of our grandparents chose to help to fight racism: Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Latino, Native American, Middle Eastern -- we all are coming to you with love.

Our Grandparents faced greater hardship in their time: what can help is knowing we are part of a continuation of history -- but change will only come when we put ourselves into uncomfortable situations. We are better than this. This is a call to action podcast, not a sit around and be comfortable podcast. Stay woke friends: Please listen to this full 2 hour podcast - it contains valuable information that we do not usually publicly discuss + you’ll do your part just by listening -- we wanted to make this easy and memorable for you -- and all of this is shared only with love -- no judgement.

We have a responsibility: Here’s the challenge we all have to step up to:

We must implement change: “what did you do in this time?” - we will be remembered by the actions we took during Covid + the Financial Crisis + the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Jenelle, Barry and I, as friends, would like to welcome you to check out our shared resources: we have thoughtfully put together for you + we also would love for you to do your own research, read, learn, educate yourself. Make a point to reach out to friends of diversity. Create your 5 year plan -- hold your company accountable. - ask them to set this up.

You’re going to have to get uncomfortable + we’re going to have to talk about these hard conversations + we send our thanks to Jenelle and Barry for sharing their personal stories + the times that challenged them + tried them -- We thank them for shining their light in those trying times, because they know the golden cracks, the imperfections, their grace is what makes them even more beautiful.

FOLLOW GUESTS + MY BESTIES: @JENELLEHAMILTON& @BARRY_PR

ACTIONABLE ADVICE FOR US ALL TO LEARN FROM FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF HUMANITY

DOCUMENTARIES TO WATCH:

Just Mercy

The Thirteenth

Selma

Do the Right Thing:Directed by Spike Lee

When they See Us

Coming to America -- just for fun

BOOKS TO READ:

Angela Davis Books

Maya Angelou Books

The Hate U Give; Angela Thomas

Yes Chef, Marcus Samuelsson

Every Body Yoga: by my friend Jessamyn Stanley

Take the Bias Test Barry Suggested: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatest.html

From Jenelle's Mention of following SHAUN KING:

Great to follow to keep up with current info on the movement: https://www.instagram.com/shaunking/

GRASSROOTS LAW:

This is the initiative people can sign up for to donate their time, money or expertise:

https://www.instagram.com/GrassrootsLaw// OR https://www.grassrootslaw.org/

CORPORATE AMERICA:

This organization is asking for major retailers (Wholefoods, Target, GOOP, etc) to pledge 15% of their shelf space to black-owned businesses. Incredible infographics and mindblowing stats and info on this page. Definitely worth a follow: https://www.instagram.com/15percentpledge/

BARRY'S FRIEND'S INSTYLE STORY:

Great resources for people to go to - https://www.instyle.com/news/an-explicit-guide-to-being-anti-racist

SUPPORTING PROTESTORS’ BAIL AND RELEASE:

The Bail ProjectAn effort to combat mass incarceration at the front end of the system. They pay bail for people in need, reuniting families and restoring the presumption of innocence. Donations to The Bail Project National Revolving Bail Fund can be recycled and reused to pay bail two to three times per year, maximizing the impact of every dollar. The Bail Project is currently providing funds across the country to bail out activists and protesters.

SUPPORTING LEGAL ACTIONS AND LEGISLATION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE:

NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund Premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. Currently suing the national policing Commission on Law Enforcement created by Attorney General Barr in addition to many other open cases supporting justice.

ADVANCING DATA-BASED BASED POLICY SOLUTIONS:

Campaign ZeroA comprehensive package of urgent policy solutions informed by data, research and human rights principles which can change the way police serve our communities to effectively reduce police violence nationwide.

SUPPORTING CAMPAIGNS THAT HOLD LEADERS AND CORPORATIONS ACCOUNTABLE:

Color of ChangeHelp people respond effectively to injustice. As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, they move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. They also have suggested detailed proposals on the War on Black People.

IN SUPPORT OF GEORGE FLOYD:

• Visit Grassroots Law Project’s Justice For Big Floyd to hold the police accountable.
• Sign the petitionto get justice for George Floyd.

NATIONAL A C T I V I S M

Black Lives MatterGlobal organization aimed at eradicating white supremacy and building local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, they are winning immediate improvements in lives.

BYP100

Member-based organization of Black youth activists creating justice and freedom for all Black people. They mobilize through building a network focused on transformative leadership development, direct action organizing, advocacy, and education. They believe in the principles of decision-making, radical inclusivity, and is building a Black politic through a Black, queer, feminist lens.

Dream Defenders

A multiracial group of young people who are organizing to build power in our communities to advance a new vision for the state. Their agenda is called the Freedom Papers. Through it, they are advancing their vision of safety and security – away from prisons, deportation, and war – and towards healthcare, housing, jobs and movement for all.

Know Your Rights

Camp Founded by Colin Kaepernick, they aim to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders.

Showing Up For Racial Justice SURJ

is a national network of groups and individuals working to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice. Through community organization, mobilization, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability.

P O L I C Y A N D A D V O C A C Y

ACLUExists to preserve and protect the liberties and privileges guaranteed to each individual by the Bill of Rights. They fight injustice legally and legislatively. They created an app to help people record police misconduct and they are on the forefront of legal defense for protests around the country.

MORE PLACES YOU CAN DONATE TO NOW:

Help Educate on Culture +

Let’s Fight Racism, Now with the UN

#HateIsAVirus Campaign

The Boys and Girls Club

In closing, we would encourage you to peacefully educate yourself, you can do something, many things today, right in this moment, register to vote now, vote out those local leaders who aren’t doing their part, sign petitions, hire more ethnic talent and employees, and call a friend -- ask them how they are doing, reach out, date blindly-- with love, make a new friend, make a donation to a charity above, work with inner city children, volunteer to be of greater use. It’s not just a tax write off, its a human right -- exercise your right to heal humanity. -- thank you jenelle and barry -- love and light to you and God’s grace to all. Xx love, Candice