Radical Honesty Enterprises Stands with Black Lives Matter
Dear Radical Honesty Community,
Over the last week, we have seen the rise of worldwide protests in response to the killing of George Floyd, Tony Mcdade, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery (and countless others), and the historical legacy of systematic racism and white supremacy. Radical Honesty Enterprises stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the global antiracist movement.
Internal Work
The Radical Honesty community is largely made up of white folks and so it is important for us to look closely at how we perpetuate racism, how we create workshop spaces that may not be safe for people of color, and how our lack of connection to organizations led by people of color keeps the Radical Honesty community siloed.
For Radical Honesty Enterprises, the work begins with using our radical honesty tools to start and dig into conversations in the community (including our staff, board, and trainer body) about race (and all identities including gender, sexuality, class, etc.), to uproot and bring awareness to our biases and privilege, and to develop concrete, sustained action plans in the fight for racial justice (i.e. giving money, developing new kinds of workshops, donating workshops to organizations, becoming part of antiracist alliances). Moving forward, we will transparently share these plans and actions we’re taking/have taken on our website.
Educating Ourselves
Many of us in the Radical Honesty community have started a book club to educate ourselves as white people. We are starting with How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. We invite you to join us! Buy the book and start a book club with your family and friends.
Some Ways White People Can Support People of Color
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice READ THIS. There are so many great actionable suggestions in this article, and so many more opportunities for educating ourselves.
Learn about the policies of the police departments in your area and help work toward eliminating police violence.
Resource and booklist for folks who want to start talking with kids about race and antiracism.
Give Support
If you have the means, we are asking you to send some money to one of these organizations:
Minnesota Freedom Fund
The Minnesota Freedom Fund pays criminal bail and immigration bond for those who cannot afford to as we seek to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing. Currently working hard to bail out protestors.Black Visions Collective
Black Visions Collective (BLVC) believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems.Campaign Zero
The comprehensive platform of research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America.BEAM
BEAM’s mission is to remove the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing. We do this through healing justice based organizing, education, training, grantmaking and advocacy.
Fight for Justice for Breonna Taylor
Today would have been Breonna's 27 birthday, but she was killed by police in her own home on March 13th. Read about the case and take action here, and also sign this petition.
Resources and Support for Black people and POC (and more great places to donate)
Are you a BIPOC and looking for support in talking with your kids about policing, violence, safety, justice, and race? Join this free call happening TONIGHT, led by Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, a clinical child psychologist who specializes in trauma and issues of race.
Also:
Talkspace
Free therapist-led support group for those affected by racial trauma, to foster safe spaces, facilitate constructive dialogue, and provide support for those in need.The Okra Project and the Tony McDade and Nina Pop
Mental Health Recovery Funds.Emergency mutual aid funds that raise money to pay for one-time mental health therapy sessions for Black Trans people with licensed Black therapists.The Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund
With the barriers affecting access to treatment by members of diverse ethnic and racial groups, Loveland Therapy Fund provides financial assistance to Black women and girls nationally seeking therapy.National Queer and Trans Therapist of Color Network and Therapy Fund
The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) is a healing justice organization that actively works to transform mental health for queer and trans people of color in North America.
Going Forward
We are committed to the ongoing effort and antiracist action that’s required to bring real change within our own organization and in the greater community. We’re dedicated to having the tough and often uncomfortable conversations that are needed around race and racism, and sticking with each other through all of the hurt, grief, rage, and resentment, to come around to creative, co-hearted cooperation. We’ll stay in touch about our actions and are open to your suggestions. Just post a comment below.
John and Lindsay
Radical Honesty CEO & COO