First off I want to take a moment to share my appreciation for you being in this space, I am so grateful you are here.
These last few months have been a crazy time for everyone and has not been easy for many. A lot of people have had to deal with a loss of a job, a lot of uncertainty, crucial advocating for a safer community and fear of a potentially deadly virus.
This is also a time where a lot of us are reevaluating our lives, what’s important to us, how we want to live our life and what kind of society we want to live in.
One issue that I feel is important to connect with you on is my values regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. Now is the time where it is important for all of us to use our voice and be clear. So, let me be very clear, Black Lives Matter, all Black lives matter, including LGTBQ+ Black lives.
I am not an expert in anti-racism work but I do know that racism has a negative effect on the health of Black people and other non-white people. I am ensuring that I continue to educate myself to create a more equitable business and to provide the best support I can to BBIWOC (Black Brown Indigenous Women of Color) with autoimmune illness.
As many of you most likely understand it is not enough to not be racist, we have to be anti-racist. We have to take action to dismantle the systems that uphold white supremacy. Love and light and social media posts will not do this but taking action to dismantle the racist structures in our society will.
As a white woman, I know I must continue to listen, educate myself, unlearn biases, and take consistent action to create a more equitable world. This is work I will be doing for the rest of my life and I encourage other white people to take this action as well.
In the last month, I expanded my following of organizations and individuals that do anti-racism work. Below are some of the books, organizations and people that I am following and learning from if you need help getting started.
https://www.somaintegrativewellness.com
Soma Integrative Wellness is run by Nisha Ahuja & MeLisa Moore, on their website you will find videos for self-healing, sound healing and online courses including their ‘Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, + Personal Racial Healing’ course. They also offer one on one sessions and have many fabulous free resources. What I love about their work is the integration of mind and body in their teaching. I highly recommend checking them out.
Resmaa Menakem is a therapist and the author of My Grandmother’s Hands a book I am eagerly awaiting to arrive from the bookstore. Resmaa’s book examines the damage caused by racism in America from the perspective of trauma and body-centered psychology. I’ve heard a lot of amazing reviews for this book and look forward to reading it.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/colour-code-podcast-race-in-canada/article31494658/
If there’s one thing Canadians avoid, it’s talking about race. This podcast is here to change that. Join hosts Denise Balkissoon and Hannah Sung for a new conversation on race in Canada. We won’t have all the answers but we do ask bold questions.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/community/hear-more-black-voices-1.5594857
This link from CBC also has some resources for podcasts, films, interviews and books featuring Black voices.
If you live in the Edmonton area you can become a member of the Centre for Race and Culture. They have initiatives that include anti-racism workshops, the Nehiyaw (Cree) language lessons program and refugee awareness to name a few.
The Edmonton BLM organization does some excellent work, they have a resources page and a take action page with petitions to sign and examples of letters to send to elected officials. There advocacy is pretty specific to Edmonton so check in your area for a BLM organization near you.
Hopefully these resources will help you get started in your learning and ability taking action. I wish all of you the best of health, happiness and safety, I know it is difficult time for many but know I am here for you. If I can assist you in any way please let me know.
Virtual hugs,
Kyla
