While ongoing racial profiling, killing and devastation are not new in the world or here in the US, the intention of this post is to share some of the artistic responses and raise awareness to a few of the more recent high profile cases of innocent black lives lost at the hands of police officers.
As a result of the tragedies, we have seen an uprising of riots across the nation in addition to peaceful protests. Retailers have responded by boarding up their shops and restaurants with the intention to combat looters in Los Angeles.
Current petitions & funds
There are no adequate words or justice available for the large list of victims gone too soon and appallingly at the hands of others in a position of power, who have abused their authority. Currently, there are numerous petitions on Change.org and GoFundMe.com for some of the deaths recently brought to the world's attention. Please consider signing or donating for George Floyd, Tony McDade & Breonna Taylor and their families.
What else can you do?
Listen to black voices and effect change by exposing yourself to different nuances of color and cultures, viewpoints and getting to know your neighbors. Together, you can discover ways to support, love and protect each other.
Education, acceptance and compassion also begin at home and can be fostered with understanding and empathy in schools. Work towards focusing on love, connection and honoring differences vs. denying there is a cultural or racial divide that exists.
There are micro and macro aggressions that happen to black lives everyday. Consciously live out of your soul and remove the egoic desire that could be highlighting differences as negative and stop supporting media sources or people in your life that are racist or perpetuate hate and division. Work to remove those barriers.
We are all created in equalness but not all treated as such even though we are all the same color inside.
It is beyond the time that we all destigmatize fear and put new policies in place systemically that allow the human race to flourish, not be suppressed and oppressed. There is magic and power in unity. We have the power to vote and defund programs that are destructive and dangering our society. Talk to your local representatives and vote locally and nationally. Your voice matters and you can make a difference.
Not all police officers are violent or believe in inhumane brutality but the problem with racism is systemic. It's taught and woven into the fabric of trainings and minds. This cannot be tolerated especially by the systems and organizations that were created to protect and serve us. When it's overlooked or viewed as normalcy and the law is not upheld for those in power, it creates toxic fear and skewed dominance that creates more tension, not peace.
Many organizations and institutions may also hold racist or unhumanitarian beliefs or ethical practices. To combat, discontinue supporting or funding those outlets, retailers and media sources.
You can step up your support of black owned businesses and restaurants.
If you are in LA, here is a list of black owned restaurants in Los Angeles and also a handful of delicious vegan options.
Additional super informative call to action resource across the US
A google sheet created by @botanicaldyke is circulating with useful links to community bail funds, memorial funds, political education resources and organizations to put on your radar as well as general advice/tips for people attending protests or using social media as an organizing tool.
A small street view
While there have been peaceful and more active protests across the country including looting, evening curfew bans in Los Angeles have subsided for the time being.
Abbot Kinney is an affluent strip with a mix of large retailers, custom niche brands and restaurants. It's predominantly white according to Area Vibes and by simply looking around on a "normal" day. 82% White, 6% Black.
Today most if not all businesses are boarded up with the National Guard passively on duty with only a few passer-bys and handful of restaurants open for pickup.
Thank you to all of the artists and activists who are using their expressive mediums peacefully and to continue spreading the words on the street.
While these lives can never come back, we can hope that the incessant injustices can be put to rest one day for everyone's sake.
George Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN.
Artists to be confirmed / not tagged.
Breonna Taylor was killed on March 13, 2020 in Louisville, KY.
Art by Jules Muck
Tony McDade was killed on May 27, 2020 in Tallahassee, FL.
Art by Jules Muck
Additional displays below with artists / activists not tagged.
