RACIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE
Dear IDEATE Community,
This is a call to action, a call to fight for a regenerative world that’s truly better for all. This year has brought us multiple reminders that we can’t afford to slow down in our efforts to dismantle systemic racism and white supremacy.
On March 13, Breonna Taylor was murdered in her own home by police officers during an illegal, unannounced drug raid, executing a no-knock warrant. Almost 8 months later a grand jury didn’t seek criminal charges against these officers for Breonna’s death. This is unacceptable, and sadly, Breonna is just one of many lives our system has failed.
IDEATE community: the time to act is NOW! One life lost is one too many, and each day without meaningful change is another day that threatens the life and well-being of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in this country.
IDEATE is launching our Racial Justice Initiative, with the goal of organizing our community to play a consistent role in dismantling the pillars of systemic racism & white supremacy. We commit to do this in three ways:
Amplify BIPOC leaders/movements with our platform, community, fundraising, and other resources
Educate our communities, so that we can activate intentionally and thoughtfully
Enroll BIPOC to the IDEATE and Burning Man communities
We will not be still and we will not be silent.
If you’re interested in supporting this initiative or want to stay informed, please fill out this form.
The IDEATE Racial Justice Initiative is currently driven by Kevin Bannerman Hutchful (Kojo) - a Ghanaian-American and second-year IDEATOR. Kevin is passionate about social change, psychological development, and mental health.
TAKE ACTION
ACT
Sign petitions to defund the police and charge officers involved with violence against BIPOC
Donate to these organizations that commit their efforts to racial equity
Contact your local representatives and ask them to defund the police and redistribute funding to affordable housing, job training, education, healthcare, mental-health treatment and counseling, substance-use treatment and counseling, childcare, parks and recreation, community centers and libraries
Support black-owned businesses:
Use the Official Black Wall Street to search for black-owned businesses in your area.
Download the EatOkra app to search and order from black-owned restaurants in your area.
Get educated
Read
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism, by Robin Diangelo
In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively.
Watch
13th (Netflix Documentary)
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans
Listen
Code Switch (NPR)
Launched in 2016, this weekly show from National Public Radio (NPR) is a pioneer of the podcast platform and features a revolving door of journalists of color sharing their thoughts on race in America from every angle. Whether it’s through a pop culture, historical, or political lens, race is the cornerstone of all conversations.
Diversify your social media streams
Follow voices of color, starting with these thought leaders: Activist and writer Brittany Packnett; author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates; director Ava DuVernay; Author and Educator Tressie McMillan Cottom; Baltimore author R. Eric Thomas; and filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry.
Do you know of initiatives/organizations that are devoted to fighting systemic racism and white supremacy? Let us know here and we’ll highlight them!
Have you taken the steps above and need more ways to act? Do you have actionable steps you want to highlight in this series? Do you have general feedback? Let us know here!