Black Lives Matter
Written in reflection
The most recent murder of an innocent black person by the police in the United States, George Floyd has ignited a fire within many who cannot turn away from the ongoing senseless dehumanization and genocide of our black, Indigenous and POC brothers and sisters.
As a collective of creative women of diverse colours (mostly white) and backgrounds (mostly working to middle class) we acknowledge the inherent racism that exists within our own structures and systems, designed for the benefit of white people, including those in our beloved group.
Our commitment to take action both internally and externally comes from a discussion that began with honouring the presence, wishes, and needs of our members of colour (past, present, and future), the recognition that this is forever work, and that we are willing to try and try again as the messiness and discomfort is an integral part of the healing process.
The WolfLab decided to donate to Black Women in Motion “a Toronto-based, youth-led organization that empowers and supports the advancement of black womxn and survivors of sexual violence. We work within an anti-racist, intersectional feminist, trauma-informed and survivor-centred framework to create culturally-relevant content, educational tools, healing spaces and economic opportunities for black womxn.”
We have also committed to learning more together, through avenues of intersectional feminist art (books, films, installations, paintings, dance, etc) and are looking forward to celebrating more femme-identified artists of colour.
We know this is only the beginning, and honour that this message is an act of accountability on our behalf.
WolfLab invites all people to join us in this revolution, rebellion, and rebuilding.
May we be filled with loving-kindness.
Amber Dawn
White Wolf
PS. Here are some resources we have only begun to tap into to help us unravel the knot that binds us in inequity and injustice:
READ:
“Diving into the world of anti-racism for the first time can be confronting. It may feel challenging to understand your place and where to begin with educating yourself. Luckily, there are endless resources online to help you learn about anti-racism work, dismantle the unconscious biases that exist within yourself, and take action to create a more just society. This document is a compilation of resources and educators that have and continue to help me.
The most common questions and fears I hear about speaking against racism for the first time are:
1. “I’m afraid that I don’t know enough.”
2. “I’m afraid to say the wrong thing.”
3. “I don’t know what steps to take or how to take action.”
The resources below are a good starting point so that you can remove your fears and educate yourself. Please note that my desire here is to point you to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) educators and activists, not to share my own voice. I compiled this resource from the heaps of wonderful, educational materials they’ve already created. Also, this is a starting point. We have a lot to learn and un-learn -- consider this part of our lifelong journey of anti-racism. Let’s get started!” Melyssa Griffin
An Ongoing List of Ways to Join the Anti-Racist Fight
We encourage everyone to share the above two links especially as they are a comprehensive list that may include the resources we are sharing below:
How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change Barack Obama
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Considered to be a highly regarded novel in the canon of African American literature. Touching on the evolving self-hood of a black woman living in the 40s, through poverty and a white supremacist marriage.
“A striking and surprising debut novel from an exhilarating new voice, Such a Fun Age is a page-turning and big-hearted story about race and privilege, set around a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both.”
My Grandmother’s Hands My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies Kindle Edition
by LICSW Resmaa Menakem, MSW (Author)
Women, Race, & Class by Angela Y. Davis