Like so many others, I don't know the best thing to say at a time like this in our country. I have much to learn and so much more to unlearn. I can choose to sit in my discomfort in silence and denial or I can remain curious in my life - asking questions, and looking internally with the goal of better understanding and offering the best of myself to my community and the rest of humanity.
I am here. I am listening. I am eager to dialogue with others and am pushing myself to be willing to have hard conversations. I hate conflict and I want everybody to like me. However I hate injustice more and I am committing to swallowing my discomfort.
Many of you know that I have a lot of artistic projects going at any given time. I am privileged to be able to create in a beautiful space and to have access to the time and materials to engage in these activities. I still have a full time job and do not rely on income from my artwork.
I have been thinking a lot about reparations for people of color and how I can take steps toward being an active participant in promoting a more just world for every body.
As the first of hopefully many steps, I am donating 100% of proceeds on my current inventory of jewelry during the remainder of June 2020 to organizations that are working toward race equity and justice. I am choosing to support the following organizations with this project:
Black Lives Matter
Black Women's Health Imperative
Center for Black Equity
Color Of Change
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Northeast Neighborhood Association of Harrisonburg, VA
Shop and more info here.
If you're still here with me, thank you for listening, caring, and for taking steps of your own towards racial equity.