Finding My Voice After Trauma: One Year Later

*Trigger Warning: mentions of child sexual abuse and panic attacks*

This time last year, I took a huge step and made the decision to write an article about my trauma after being sexually abused at seven years old. It was something I never could have imagined doing before, as I went years simply refusing to talk about it.

If you were to tell my teenage self that she would be writing an article about it in her 20’s, she would have simply said, “No! No! Hell no!” She would have avoided that thought at all costs. That’s how much I hated even mentioning it to people.

However, when I first thought of writing the article, that was when I realized that it was time to push my own hesitancy aside and speak up to potentially help anyone who had been through what I went through. It had been on my mind for some time - maybe two or three weeks - before I even actually reached out to my BANDED boss, Rebecca about writing about it. And the reason why it took me so long was because of the fact that I was hesitant.

It wasn’t even due to the fact that I dreaded talking about it for so long. It was because I had friends and other people in my life who had no idea about that part of my life. I was beyond scared that I would be looked at differently by them or they’d ask why I never said anything before. That’s one thing I failed to mention in my last article. Back in high school, it would take me months or even a full year to tell my closest friends and it was always due to the fact that I was scared of being looked at differently because of what happened to me.

Once I finally pushed all of that aside and decided to finally reach out to Rebecca about writing the article, I started seeing this as another step forward in this process. It took a lot of self-talk, but I knew in my heart that writing about it would be a big help to others and that started to become my goal for the article. 

I remember sitting in front of my laptop and just taking deep breaths as I wrote the article. Other than writing about it for a college assignment, I had never written about it for a more public setting like BANDED before. Knowing that my article was going live for everyone to see gave me anxiety for a second.

I mentioned in the last article about having panic attacks at seven and I thought back to one certain memory experiencing one of those panic attacks while writing the article - It was sometime after what happened and I had gone to a mall with my grandmother, my cousin and her friend. When at the mall, I saw a man who I thought was my abuser and I got so anxious, I ran off. In the aftermath, after my grandmother caught up with me, I was shaking and sobbing.  I was already overwhelmed just even writing about the panic attacks and thinking about that memory, so I decided to leave that part out in the end. 

After writing it, it took me an hour to send it to Rebecca because I was in full-blown tears by the time I finished writing it. I had so many fears and thoughts about having it published for people to read it, but I reminded myself that I was doing a good thing by having it published.

Once it was published and I started seeing responses of support from my friends and others, I truly felt so overwhelmed with the love and support and it made me realize that I didn’t have to be afraid anymore. All of it gave me a new form of strength I never realized I had to begin with and it only continued to make me realize that I really was doing the right thing by sharing my story publicly. 

I want to continue to help other sexual abuse survivors by sharing my story publicly and have more open discussions with people as well. Anything I can possibly do to bring awareness.

Not only did I find my voice and stopped being scared of my past, I have learned to stay strong and not shy away from talking about it. It’s a part of my life that I can’t ever change. I won’t lie, sometimes I am scared that I’ll see my abuser somewhere, as he is now out of prison, but I am done letting all of it hold me back and being scared of the future. In the words of Demi Lovato, “I’m taking my life back today. Nothing left that you can say.” And that’s exactly what I’m doing. 

If I could tell my teenage self one thing, it’s the fact that she is stronger than she thinks she is and isn’t weak like she feels that she is. I’m a survivor.

To anyone who’s ever been through this too,

I see you, I hear you.

RESOURCES:

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673)

Darkness To Light Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Darkness to Light

Finding My Voice After Trauma

I shouldn’t have to hide behind the shadows and stay in silence. I finally found my voice…

Trigger Warning: Mentions Of Child Sexual Abuse

At 7 years old, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything, you shouldn’t have to live in fear, you shouldn’t be having panic attacks, you shouldn’t be wanting to burn your favorite dress.

Why am I saying this? Because all of that happened in my life at 7 years old. 

It was 2004, I had moved to a brand new neighborhood several months prior, I had just started school at a brand new school a few months prior. Ever since I was little, I trusted people very easily. It never took me long to warm up to people and that may be considered to be a weakness of mine. 

One teacher I warmed up to quickly at my new school was my P.E. teacher. I have memories of sometimes laughing at the things he was saying and I thought he was a cool guy. That’s the part that scares me now every time I think about it. 

One morning, I went to school wearing my favorite yellow dress. I was so happy and excited for the day, like I always was. Little did I know that that certain day would change me almost completely. 

I went to P.E. class, still feeling happy. What happened next? Well, let’s just say that I walked out there feeling completely scared. I also wanted to get rid of the dress I was wearing that day. Actually, I wanted to burn it. 

My behavior changed drastically. I started having panic attacks before school - which I’m sure the average person would probably classify as a tantrum since I was seven - I began wetting the bed at night, and I was constantly living in fear. Those are some of the most common symptoms of a child being abused. And my poor mother - The symptoms were there, but she was completely oblivious to the reason why my behavior had changed.

Sometime later, another little girl came forward and said that the teacher abused her as well and a note was sent out to every student’s parents. That night, my mom and I sat at a table at my favorite restaurant and she proceeded to ask me if he touched me. I said, “Yes”.

I started going to therapy and I slowly went back to being a somewhat happy child. Not completely, but somewhat. Although, there was some certain stuff that the abuse gave me that took me years to shake off: I began hating dresses, I started hating male teachers, and now, at 23, I’m reluctant to start romantic relationships. 

I’ve developed crushes on guys as time went by, but I never told them, not because I didn’t think they felt the same way, but because of my trauma. I want to know what it feels like to be in love and fall in love with someone, but I’m still scared of that.

When I was 12, I got the book, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson for Christmas, as well as the film adaptation of it on DVD. When reading the book and watching the movie, I found myself relating to the main character, Melinda - who was raped by a high school senior while attending a house party. 

At that point, it had been five years since the abuse, and it was the first time I felt like I saw myself in a book and a movie. I found comfort in the movie and the book, it made me feel like I was not alone and that made me feel so much better. 

Although, I didn’t want to talk about it in my teen years. I never told anyone about my past unless I knew I could trust them. Hell, it took me months to tell my best friend. I continued to not want to talk about it until I was 21.

I was attending a local community college and taking an English class where I was given an assignment. I forgot what the context of the assignment was, but I think it was about a life changing moment. I was originally going to write about something else, despite my mom advising me I should write about what happened. 

When that first idea got shot down, I finally began thinking, “You know what? It’s time to speak. It’s time to tell my truth.”

So I did. I went to class and we did a thing where we had to pass our assignments around and we would write down our thoughts on a piece of paper. I was scared of the response I was going to give, but I was rather overwhelmed by the response. 

That was a moment where I realized that what I was doing was actually a good thing and I shouldn’t have to hide behind the shadows and stay in silence. I have finally found my voice and I wanted to bring it to good use.

Which is why I’m writing this now. To whoever is reading this, I want you to know this part of my past. If you’ve ever been in this position, just know you’re not alone. You’ll never be alone. I’m here, the people who love you are there for you. 

I see you, I hear you.

---

National Sexual Assault Resources

Live Chat + Resources: RAINN.ORG

24/7 Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Behind The Scenes: I Wouldn't Be The Person I am Without Being Autistic

April is Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month, a month that is close to me personally because I'm autistic. 

Autism is "a developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior." For me, that means texture, light, sound, and weight sensitivities, as well as difficulty with socially interacting, repetitive patterns in food and clothing, and more. 

I struggle with different food textures — anything slimy or mushy makes my whole body recoil. I lean towards crunchy, crispy, and dry foods (think dry cereal!) instead. 

Bright lights such as fluorescent lights, the ones found in schools, hospitals, and grocery/clothing stores, are almost painful some days. I've gotten much better at handling it as I've grown older, but when I was younger it would make me cry sometimes. 

Sound, such as a room full of chatter and other noises mixed up together is often overwhelming, as I can't hear the bigger picture. I hear each sound at once, often amplified to me, it is anxiety-inducing. To help this, I need quiet or music through my earphones, blocking out or lowering the outside sound.

I can't use heavy silverware or dishware — I use kids sized silverware, cups, and plates instead. To use anything heavier makes me feel like it's wrong, I almost can't explain it. It makes me feel frustrated, makes my body feel upside down. Heavy blankets and heavy sweaters are things that can help me feel better, ironically enough. I can't wear shoes that aren't tight, nor pants, but I can't wear shirts and dresses that are tight. It's a bit confusing, I know, but it's frustrating to be constantly aware of the weight of everything you hold and touch. 

I struggle with social cues, with communicating with others. I don't understand or inherently know what's the right kind of words to say; I don't understand where an acquaintance ends and a friendship begins, the line between the two is nonexistent to me. I think everyone who's kind to me wants to be my friend, even though that's not really how the world works. It all often feels like the rug underneath my feet has been pulled from me and I have fallen down. That everyone else understands everything there is and I'm behind, needing the SparkNotes to life. I am 22 years old, and yet I am still learning how to speak to others, how to form real friendships, how to look deeper at what people are saying to me, and not make assumptions, good or bad. I've made progress over time, a lot of it in my past recent years of adulthood, and I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of it all. My friends and family have been patient, understanding, helpful, and kind to me as I work through all of my misunderstandings and mistakes as I grow up further into adulthood as an autistic person.

I get fixated on certain articles of clothing — a sweater, black leggings, shoes, a shirt, a hoodie, and wear them repeatedly, almost every day, often until they're so worn down that I have to replace them. I also get fixated on certain foods and eat them almost every single day until it's finally repulsive to me, and I pick another food and it starts again. Both of this makes for a very niche style and diet.

Autism isn't all of a struggle as it seems. I have "special interests," they are intense and powerful fixations on specific things. Some of mine currently are rock music, Beat Generation poets & writers, and Scooby Doo. Rock music is my biggest special interest currently; music has always been prevalent in my lists of special interests over my entire life, the only thing that has changed with it has been the specific genre of music. In the past it's been pop punk, Disney bands, One Direction/boy bands, kpop, and now I'm on rock. I love all of rock music, but I fixate on specific eras of rock sometimes. 

Like all of my other special interests, I try to learn everything there is about rock music. I read rock biographies and memoirs, I watch documentaries and biopics, I listen and listen and listen to rock all of the time. It consumes me, it's what I love the most fervently, it's what I feel so passionately for. I want to live in a world with rock music and only rock music, not for any pretentious reasons, only for the fact that it's my special interest, and because I'm autistic, for me it's all-consuming. 

I feel as if others would say that all my sensitivities and passions make me no different from a non-autistic person, that you could explain all of this away with words like "awkward," "immature," "dumb," and more, but I digress. All of what I've explained about myself and more make me autistic, make me a person that interacts with this world a bit differently than a non-autistic person, and that's not something to be brushed aside. Being autistic is not something separate from the person I am, it's who I am. I am autistic, and it shows in every part of my life. I feel passionately about my special interests to an almost obnoxious amount, I get frustrated and upset at things that a non-autistic person wouldn't even notice. I work around and through my sensitivities & misgivings. I take my passions and try to channel them into creative outlets — such as writing on here about rock music, and by founding my own music publication, Wild Honey, about rock music. I would not be the person I am without being autistic, and I like the person I am. I am creative, attentive to detail, sensitive, trusting, and passionate. 

If you would like to learn more about autism, check out the Autism Self-Advocacy Network.

Gojira's Latest Release Brings Awareness to Indigenous Tribes in the Amazon

Gojira have released three new tracks from their upcoming album, Fortitude, and they just get better and better. Singing “There’s fire in the sky. You’re in the Amazon. The greatest miracle is burning to the ground,” their newest release, ‘Amazonia’ is a powerful call for action and unity.

‘Amazonia’ takes Gojira’s signature sound and layers in indigenous folk instruments to bring awareness to the very real threats the Amazon area faces every single day. The official video showcases footage from Brazil and and of Indigenous tribes. Gojira felt they needed to take a step further than releasing a song and video and have made sure proceeds from ‘Amazonia’ will benefit The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) “who advocate for environmental and cultural rights of indigenous tribes in the Amazon who have suffered immensely - victims of deforestation, land loss, forced labor, violence, and harassment.”

Along with the song, Gojira have curated a month long charity auction to raise funds for APIB. Check it out here.

In a recent interview with Full Metal Jackie, Joe Duplantier shared, “That's what we wanted to express in this album too, to see people give their best and be strong and to not despair and to project a positive image for their future and for our future, and through discipline and decision and the right intentions, we can better ourselves and better display. So it's almost by default the energy and the message we choose versus, ah, let it burn.”

Gojira continue to inspire us and we can’t wait to hear the full Fortitude album, set to release on April 30th.

A Starter's Guide on How To Be An Ally To the Asian Community

Here at BANDED, we support unity through music and will not stand for any form of discrimination, bias, and racism. Long before COVID-19, the Asian community has dealt with racism and violent acts against them. Since the pandemic started, there has been a rise in these heinous acts. As allies, it is our job to speak out, stand up, and rebuke any micro-aggressions and bias in any interaction.

We’ve put together this guide to help you learn, think, and act in support of the Asian community.

This list will be updated as we discover new resources. Please feel free to share resources with us.

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EDUCATE YOURSELF

Asian — Asian people or Asiatic people are people who descend from a portion of Asia's population. This includes:

South, East, + Southeast Asians: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Singapore.

West and Central Asians: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kazakhstan, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine.

Asian American - an American who is of Asian descent.

Pacific Islanders - People with origins of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. Polynesia includes Hawaii (Native Hawaiian), Samoa (Samoan), American Samoa (Samoan), Tokelau (Tokelauan), Tahiti (Tahitian), and Tonga (Tongan).

Asian-Pacific Islander - “A person with origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, South Asia, or the Pacific Islands.”

AAPI - Asian American and Pacific Islander

APISAA - Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American

ACT NOW

• Report Hate Incidents HERE.

• What You Can Do About Anti-Asian Violence: READ HERE.

• Your guide to bystander intervention: READ HERE.

• Sign up for Bystander Intervention training: Learn More

PETITIONS

• Provide Safety Ambassadors & prevent Hate Crimes on elderly in San Francisco Chinatown: SIGN HERE

• End Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans: SIGN HERE

• Demand that Radio Station Bayern 3 host a program on the topic of anti-Asian racism: SIGN HERE

• Stop Hate Against Asian Americans: Get mainstream news coverage of national elderly Asian American Assaults: SIGN HERE

READ + SHARE ON SOCIALS

• Anti-Asian Violence Resources Card

• How to be an ally + Help Asian Americans Fight Anti-Asian Racism infographics

• 5 Ways to help #StopAsianHate Infographics

• 6 Asian women were killed in a mass shooting. The Asian hate must end.

HASHTAG TO USE: #STOPASIANHATE

READ UP

• The Muddled History of Anti-Asian Violence by Hua Hsu

• 'I Will Not Stand Silent.' 10 Asian Americans Reflect on Racism During the Pandemic and the Need for Equality by Anna Purna Kambhampaty

• The Racism BTS Continues to Face Is Part of Larger Anti-Asian Xenophobia by JAE-HA KIM

• The long history of US racism against Asian Americans, from ‘yellow peril’ to ‘model minority’ to the ‘Chinese virus’ by Adrian De Leon

• Asian Americans Are Calling on Allies in Response to a Wave of Violence by Bettina Makalintal

• COVID-19 and advancing Asian American recovery by Elaine Dang, Samuel Huang, Adrian Kwok, Harrison Lung, Michael Park, and Emily Yueh.

• He Became a Hate Crime Victim. She Became a Widow by Audra D. S. Burch

• America’s long history of scapegoating its Asian citizens by Nina Strochlic

• The Chinese in America: A Narrative History by Iris Change

• It's time for this country to confront racism against Asian Americans by Justin Lo

• There were 3,800 anti-Asian racist incidents, mostly against women, in past year. READ HERE

• Anti-Asian Attacks Rise During Pandemic. Read NPR's Stories On The Surge In Violence. READ HERE

Recent Elderly Asian American Assualts + Murders:

• Vicha Ratanapakdee

• Yik Oi Huang

• Mauricio Gesmundo Sr

• Noel Quintana

• 91 Year Old In Oakland

• 64-Year Old Grandmother

LEARN THE HISTORY

• Chinese Exclusion Act

• Japanese Interment Camps

• Remembering the Manongs and Story of the Filipino Farm Worker Movement

• ‘Model Minority’ Myth Again Used As A Racial Wedge Between Asians and Blacks

WATCH

• Asian Americans on PBS: Watch Here

• ‘We are crying out for help’: Actors, activists sounding alarm on surging attacks against Asian Americans: Watch Here

• Oakland Chinatown press conference denouncing attacks on Asians in the community: Watch Here

• @YoonjKim covers what you #NeedToKnow about the rise in anti-Asian violence and why people are finally paying attention via MTV: Watch Here

FOLLOW

• ASIAN AMERICAN COLLECTIVE: “A Collective of Asians in music, media, entertainment, and creative spaces.”

• Dear Asian Youth: “Striving to empower, educate, & uplift Asian youth.”

• Stop AAPI Hate: “A national coalition addressing anti-asian hate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.“

• #HATEISAVIRUS: “A community of mobilizers and amplifiers dedicated to dismantling racism and other forms of hate.”

• Asians 4 Anti-Racism: “2 nyc teens sharing resources we’ve found helpful in educating ourselves.”

• Anti-Racism Daily: “Take action to dismantle white supremacy.”

• Intersectional.abc: Emma Tang is an “activist in progress” who consistently shares thought-provoking content and content that brings light to current events.

ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT

• Stand Against Hatred: LEARN MORE

• Asian Leaders Alliance: LEARN MORE

• HATE IS A VIRUS: LEARN MORE

• Act To Change: LEARN MORE

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice: LEARN MORE + DONATE

• National Council of Asian Pacific Americans: LEARN MORE

HEALTH

• SAMHSA National Helpline: LEARN MORE

• Asian Mental Health Collective | APISAA Therapist Directory: LEARN MORE

SUPPORT LOCAL

Next time you go out shopping or grab food, support your local Asian and Pacific Islander owned businesses.

A Starter's Guide on How To Fight Against Human Trafficking

It’s 2020 and the harsh reality is that MILLIONS of people being held as slaves around the world. In its simplest terms, human trafficking IS modern day slavery. As today marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we’ve put together this starter guide to help you continue the fight against slavery today.

LEARN

• Learn what trafficking is, how to spot it, and report it by checking out this guide by A21.

• Learn how to spot signs of trafficking. You can start by checking out the U.S. Department of State’s and learning about Indicators, how to ask questions, and where to get help here.

• If you are in the U.S. and believe a person may be a victim of human trafficking, call the  National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

• Myths, Facts, and Statistics: The Polaris Project covers it all. Polaris systemically disrupts the human trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom.

• What does Abolition look like today? Take a look at modern day abolition and it’s different phases.

• Looking for more facts and statistics? Check out IJM’s Slavery at a Glance.

• Dive into End Slavery Now: Learn about slavery today, connect with an organization and browse ways to get involved in the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

• Read a Book: Scroll through this index on books related to human trafficking.

• Stay connected and keep the conversation in sight by following accounts that share information day to day.

  • International Justice Mission (IJM)

  • Polaris Project

  • acc0untless

  • A21

  • Love146

  • Exodus Cry

  • End Slavery Now

  • Strike Out Slavery

  • Rapha International

  • She Has A Name

  • Truckers Against Trafficking

ACT NOW

• Get active in your community. The National Humam Trafficking Hotline offers a directory of organizations and programs around the U.S. to help you get involved. LEARN MORE.

• Reach out to local, state, and federal officials and let them know you care about the fight against human trafficking. Find your officials here.

• Be a part of the Global Freedom Summit on October 17th, 2021. During this online broadcast, you’ll be equipped with tangible and practical actions to advance the fight against human trafficking. LEARN MORE.

• Join the Fight Against Trafficking and sign this pledge to continue education yourself on the issue. SIGN HERE.

• Tell Congress to support our Youth: This petition asks to pass a relief package to keep vulnerable young people safe and prevent longer-term homelessness during COVID-19. SIGN HERE.

• Contact Congress and Demand Equal Rights: Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and demand equal rights for ALL workers. Help protect potential labor trafficking victims from exploitation and abuse. SIGN HERE.

• Sign up for the Aruna Virtual Run: Run or walk for an enslaved woman by name whom the Aruna Project staff personally know and are working to free from the brothels. Thanks to local race sponsors covering race expenses, 100 percent of registration fees and donations go to bringing and sustaining freedom to women in desperate need of new beginnings.

• Sign the petition to shut down Pornhub and hold Its Executives accountable for aiding trafficking. SIGN HERE.

• Report exploitive accounts on Instagram. Follow acc0untless and check the link in their bio for exploitive accounts to report. You’ll also find cybertips and petitions you can sign.

SHARE

Click each link to find shareable content to spread awareness….

• Can You See Me: Download the A21 social media kit for captions, and images to share on your social media.

• What Is Human Trafficking

• Human Trafficking is Happening - Here’s What You Can Do

• Sex Trafficking is NOT a conspiracy Theory

• Race and Human Trafficking

• 3 Ways to Respond to Human Trafficking

• Before You Share That Wayfair Story…

GIVE

• Become a Freedom Partner through the International Justice Mission. Your monthly donation supports children and families suffering from trafficking and violence. LEARN MORE.

• Become a Sponsor of Freedom through A21. Your monthly donation helps to reach the vulnerable, rescue victims, and restore the lives of survivors. LEARN MORE.

• 10 Ways to Give through Love146. Learn more about donating to Survivor Care Wish Lists, changing toner, selling on ebay, and more.

WATCH

• THE CNN Freedom Project - A series that shines a light on modern-day slavery, by “traveling the world to unravel the tangle of criminal enterprises trading in human life. “

• Face to Face with Slavery: Follow two volunteer filmmakers as they journey to the front lines of slavery around the globe to meet survivors and activists face to face. Their poignant half-hour film uncovers the inhuman brutality of hidden slavery in Nepal, India, Ghana and the Congo–and bears witness to the inspiring grassroots movement that is bringing thousands of people from slavery to freedom.

• Rotten: A Netflix docuseries travels deep into the heart of the food supply chain to reveal unsavory truths and expose hidden forces that shape what we eat.

• The Traffickers: Nelufar Hedayat goes deep into the global black market to meet The Traffickers, the people who buy, sell and smuggle illicit goods across continents and those trying to crack down on this huge international trade.

• Very Young Girls: Critically acclaimed by the New York Times and Film Festivals around the world, Very Young Girls is an expose of human trafficking that follows thirteen and fourteen year old American girls as they are seduced, abused, and sold on New York's streets by pimps, and treated as adult criminals by police.

• Slave Free Today Documentary Library: Scroll through a list of free documentaries to watch and learn from.

• A21 media library: Filled with videos covering everything from child exploitation to labor trafficking, and sex trafficking. WATCH HERE.

• Half The Sky: A four-hour series shot in 10 countries: Cambodia, Kenya, India, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Liberia and the U.S. Inspired by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book, the documentary series introduces women and girls who are living under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable — and fighting bravely to change them. Traveling with intrepid reporter Nicholas Kristof and A-list celebrity advocates America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde, the film reflects viable and sustainable options for empowerment and offers an actionable blueprint for transformation. WATCH HERE.

• BAHT: A short, informative film which helped acquire funds to build new safe houses in Cambodia. WATCH HERE.

SHOP FAIRTRADE

Being a conscious consumer is just one way you can help in your every day…

• Using tools like ResponsibleSourcingTool.org or Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor can help you make better shopping choices.

• Switch to Fair Trade Coffee - When ordering or making your daily cup, dig a little deeper to make sure your beans are Fair Trade. The simplest way? Look for the Fair Trade Certified logo on the packaging. LEARN MORE.

• Here’s 5 Ways to Build a Slave-Free Closet:

  • Support Ethical Brands

  • Choose Quality over Quantity - Shop Less, Choose Better

  • Buy vintage or second hand

  • Appreciate the clothes you have

• Sites to Shop from

  • Made Trade: Shop from Fair Trade home decor, kitchen+dining, bed+bath, furniture, clothes, + more!

  • The Parative Project :Shop Flags and Tees. Currently, partnered with Somerset in Mumbai, India. There are 25 women employed there who used to be trafficked and are now experiencing above a living wages, healthcare, counseling, retirement, and community. These women hand sew the flags.

  • The Aruna Project: Headbands, bags - The Aruna Project creates lifelong freedom through employment marked by holistic care to sexually enslaved women. 

  • Rapha Freedom Store: Home, accessories, and bag - 100% of the profits from your purchase goes directly back to helping their programs operate.

  • Aid Through Trade - The Original Roll-On Bracelet and employs about 200 female artisans in Nepal.

  • Prana: Sustainable clothing for women and men.

  • Print Natural: A custom T-shirt and Apparel company specializing in eco-friendly screen printing on fair trade, organic t-shirts, and apparel.

  • Rug & Relic: Fair Trade, Handmade Turkish Rugs.

A Starter's Guide on How To Act Now and Every Day As An Ally

Singer, songwriter, and civil-rights activist, Sam Cooke, wrote “A Change is Gonna Come”. Listening to that song now, you can’t help but think that it HAS TO.

Now is not the time for silence. We are banded together to support the black community. As allies, we’ve compiled a list of ways for you to help amplify the voices of the Black Community and to help seek justice,

Sign petitions. Donate. Read up. Share content by Black creators. and listen. It is your responsibility to do the research. Start today and make it an every day thing.

This list will be updated as we discover new resources….

ACT NOW

TEXT IN

• ‘FLOYD’ to 55156 - Adds your name to the Color of Change petition seeking justice for George Floyd by asking that the four officers involved in his death are charged with murder.

• ‘JUSTICE’ TO 668366 - Will prompt you to sign the #JusticeForFloyd petition ^

• ‘ENOUGH’ to 55156 - Links you to sign the Color of Change petition seeking Justice for Breonna Taylor.

• ‘DEFEND’ to 90975 - Signs you up for Movement For Black Lives Action Now updates. This week, they’ve designated each day to have a call to action.

EMAIL

8 Can’t Wait: Data proves that together these eight policies can decrease police violence by 72%. Visit this link, choose your city and an email template will pull up complete with your Mayor’s contact to demand these policies be put in place.

SIGN PETITIONS

Justice for Jacob Blake - Demands justice for Jacob Blake and that the officers involved be held accountable.

Charge the Cops Who Shot Jacob Blake - Demands the officers involved in Jacob Blake’s case be prosecuted.

Justice for Jacob Blake - Demands officers involved in Jacob Blake’s case be fired, and prosecuted.

Justice for Jacob Blake - Demands the police be held accountable for the shooting of Jacob Blake.

#JusticeForFloyd - Demands that the officers involved in George Floyd’s case 1) have their pensions blocked and 2) ban them from becoming police officers ever again 3) charge ALL four officers with murder immediately.

Justice for George Floyd - Demands the officers involved in George Floyd’s case be fired and for charges to be filed immediately.

Justice for Big Floyd - Demands the arrest and charge of the police officers responsible for the murder of George Floyd.

Justice for George Floyd - Demands the arrest and charge of the police officers responsible for the murder of George Floyd.

Raise The Degree - Demands bail that bail be removed for Derek Chauvin.

Run With Maud - Demands charges against the McMichael’s and William “Roddie” Bryan, as well as demands the investigation and charges against Glynn County Police Officer Robert Rash.

Justice for Ahmaud Arbery - Demands the State of Georgia pass a Hate Crime law.

Stand With Breonna Taylor - Demands 1) termination of the police involved, 2) for a special prosecutor to be appointed to bring forward charges against the officers and oversee all parts of this case, and 3) that the Louisville Metro Council pass new rules banning the use of no-knock raids like the one used to break into Breonna’s home.

Justice for Bre - Demands the termination of the police involved in Breonna Taylor’s death.

Justice for Breonna - Demands Louisville Police Department take action.

Justice for Breonna Taylor - States The ”no-knock” warrant the police used completely violates the Constitutional rights to reasonable search and seizure. 2) Demands the police involved in her murder be charged.

Justice for Alejandro Vargas Martinez - Demands justice for Alejandro, an innocent 15 year old, African American who got shot 7 times while walking to Boone High School, in December of 2018. 

Hands Up Act - A call for legislation that prohibits police officers from shooting unarmed citizens.

National Action Against Police Brutality - A demand to prosecute police who murder unarmed individuals

Ban/Restrict Tear Gas - For the restriction or banning of the use of tear gas by law enforcement on non violent crowds and other innocent civilians in the United States.

Re-open Sandra Bland’s Case - Sandra Bland was arrested for a traffic stop on July 10, 2015 by Brian Encinia.  She was found dead in her cell three days later. Encinia was never indited. This demands her case be re-opened.

Justice for Jamee - Demands that the unedited bodycam + dashcam footage be released and the need for police accountability

Make the KKK Illegal - Demands that the KKK be deemed illegal.

WRITE

Happy Birthday Breonna Taylor - NOW

Breonna Taylor should’ve celebrated her 27th birthday on June 5th. In honor, Cate Young has created a list of action items to commemorate Breonna’s life including sending birthday cards to the Kentucky Attorney General and Louisville Metro Mayor. Full details here.

FOLLOW
+ SHARE

Let’s be real, we’re on our phones ALL THE TIME. One of the easiest things you can do now and CONTINUE to do in your every day, is share content by Black creators as well as follow them.

TIPS:

• Add this to your bio + posts to link to multiple resources: blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

• Avoid sharing traumatic content. It can be triggering and dehumanizing.

• Give credit where credit is due! If you’re reposting, ALWAYS tag the creator/original poster.

CONTENT TO READ + SHARE

• Ways to Fight Racism Every Single Day

• Is It Rude to Call Us Black?

• How to be an Ally

• 8 Lessons About Racism that Were Helpful to Me as a White Person

• How to refocus the conversation on what’s important

• How to help if you can’t attend protests

• Virtual Protesting 101

• Framing Matters

• 10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship

• How to Talk to Your Family About Racism

• Helpful vs. Harmful: A guide on what’s cool to share and what’s not

• Black Owned Vegan Businesses that Ship Nationwide

ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW ON IG

Black Voices + Stories to Watch

Her Modern Life

Limitless Life Design

Bradbury Health and Fitness

Hustle Matters

Sa.liine

I Weigh

Check Your Privilege

Millenial Black

+ so many more! Start digging to find more incredible voices to follow and support.

9 Powerful Black Female Voices

Black Activists + Racial Justice Orgs

30 Black Female-Owned Brands + Entrepreneurs

10 Black Bloggers You Should Be Following

5 Black Women Changing the Investment Landscape

Black-Owned Magazines and Zines

Wellness Communities

Color of Change

NAACP

Antiracism Center

TALK ABOUT IT

It may sound cliche, but communication is key! A healthy conversation can go along way. Here are a few resources to help you bring important points to the table.

• Helpful rebuttals for racist talking points.

• Ten lessons for talking about race, racism, and racial justice.

• Talking to young children about racism.

• How to talk to friends & family about racism and white supremacy.

DONATE

Take some time to look into all the different fundraisers and organizations. Do your research and donate to help further their mission. While you’re there, check out if you can set up a monthly donation or join their organization to help out regularly.

George Floyd Memorial Fund : This fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist our family in the days to come as we continue to seek justice for George.  A portion of these funds will also go to the Estate of George Floyd for the benefit and care of his children and their educational fund.

OFFICIAL Gianna Floyd Fund (George Floyd's child)

Minnesota Freedom Fund: The Minnesota Freedom Fund pays criminal bail and immigration bond for those who cannot afford to as we seek to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing.

Black Lives Matter: #BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.

NAACP Legal Defense Fund: The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. LDF also defends the gains and protections won over the past 75 years of civil rights struggle and works to improve the quality and diversity of judicial and executive appointments.

Justice For Breonna Taylor: This fundraiser supports Breonna Taylor’s family.

I Run with Maud: “This fundraiser was designed to assist Ahmaud's mother; Ms. Wanda Cooper-Jones and her immediate family with financial support during this extreme difficult time and in their struggle for justice for the murder of Ahmaud Marquez Arbery.”

National Bail Out Funds: “A formation of over sixty community-led bail and bond funds that are part of campaigns to end pretrial and immigration detention.”

Black Visions Collective: “Our mission is to organize powerful, connected Black communities and dismantle systems of violence. We do this through building strategic campaigns, investing in Black leadership, and engaging in cultural and narrative organizing.”

Reclaim the Block: “A community coalition representing activists, organizers, faith and community leaders united by the demand that Minneapolis divest from policing and invest in long-term alternatives that would decrease the scope of MPD and promote healthier, safer, more diverse communities.”

Campaign Zero: “A comprehensive platform of solutions to end police violence in America. - The site will be updated continuously in response to the ideas and insights of activists, organizers and concerned citizens nationwide. - Funds donated to Campaign Zero support the analysis of policing practices across the country, research to identify effective solutions to end police violence, technical assistance to organizers leading police accountability campaigns and the development of model legislation and advocacy to end police violence nationwide.”

MORTAR: “MORTAR aims to create diverse communities by enabling historically marginalized entrepreneurs to access the resources needed to start & run successful businesses.”

The Loveland Foundation: “committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls.”

Sad Girls Club: “WOC driven. Creating community in mental health for GenZ & millennials since 2017.”

BEAM Org: “BEAM’s mission is to remove the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing.”

Be The Bridge: “To Inspire & Equip ambassadors of racial reconciliation. To Build a community of people who share a common goal of creating healthy dialogue about race.”

Snap4Freedom: Working to build a Black Trans futurist framework for practical abolition as the way to liberation.

Blue’s Heaven Foundation: Their “mission is to help artists and musicians obtain what is rightfully theirs, and to educate both adults and children on the history of the Blues and the business of music. 

Black Aids: “the only premier uniquely and unapologetically Black think and do tank in America powered by two decades of work to end the Black HIV epidemic and led by people who represent the issues we serve.”

Youth BreakOUT!: “BreakOUT! seeks to end the criminalization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth to build a safer and more just New Orleans.”

The Okra Project: “The Okra Project is a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans People wherever we can reach them.”

House of GG: “Founded and led by Trans and gender nonconforming people and our allies, we create safe and transformative spaces where members of our community can heal—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—from the trauma arising from generations of transphobia, racism, sexism, poverty, ableism and violence, and nurture them into tomorrow’s leaders.”

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: “We reveal stories about freedom's heroes, from the era of the UGRR to contemporary times, challenging & inspiring everyone to take courageous steps for freedom.”

The Kendrick Johnson Fund: “As we continue to our fight for justice, we choose to honor Kendrick by doing what he loved to do the most, helping others. We ask for your continued support in donating to this fund, which will benefit the Kendrick Johnson Foundation 's mission to raise awareness on the need for increased supervision and safety within our public schools.”

No Money? NO PROBLEM…

YouTuber, Zoe Amira, has put together a “video project to offer people a way to donate and financially contribute to #blacklivesmatter without having any actual money or going out to protest themselves.” 100% of the advertisement revenue the below video makes through AdSense will be donated to the associations that offer protester bail funds, help pay for family funerals, and advocacy listed in the beginning of the video. Just make sure you let the ads play all the way through.

Protest Tips

Thanks to Protest Aid on Twitter, here are 4 quick guides to help prepare you for protesting.

Not everyone is able to get out and protest. That is OK! Your energy can be put to use in other ways. Use your creativity to make signs for those who are able to protest, drop off water, etc. Do your research and find an organization to donate to.

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READ

BOOKS

• So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Olu

• Race by Reni Eddo-Loodge

• Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners: books for children and young adults

• 31 Children's books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance

• Other book recommendations on Race and Justice 

• Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad

• How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

• Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

• White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

• Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

• Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (also a movie)

• The Crown Ain’t Worth Much by Hanif Abdurraqib

• Well-Read Black Girl by Glory Edim

ARTICLES

• Talking About Race - A collection of articles provided by the National Museum of African American History & Culture

• 11 Things You Can Do To Help Black Lives Matter End Police Violence.

• 11 Terms You Should Know To Better Understand Structural Racism

• How to talk to children about racism, police brutality, and protests

• A collection of works written about Black Revolutionary leaders.

• How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race | NPR

• Teaching Your Child About Black History Month | PBS

• Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup from Pretty Good

• “America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer | Atlantic (May 8, 2020)

• Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement (Mentoring a New Generation of Activists

• ”My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas | NYT Mag (June 22, 2011)

• The 1619 Project (all the articles) | The New York Times Magazine

• The Combahee River Collective Statement

• “The Intersectionality Wars” by Jane Coaston | Vox (May 28, 2019)

• Tips for Creating Effective White Caucus Groups developed by Craig Elliott PhD

• “Where do I donate? Why is the uprising violent? Should I go protest?” by Courtney Martin (June 1, 2020)

• ”White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Knapsack Peggy McIntosh

• “Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi | Atlantic (May 12, 2020)

PODCASTS

• Dissect - Learn more about the music you love.

• Therapy For Black Girls - A weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford

• Truth’s Table - 3 Black Christian women sharing their perspectives on race, politics, gender, current events, pop culture, and more.

• Parenting Forward podcast episode ‘Five Pandemic Parenting Lessons with Cindy Wang Brandt’

• Fare of the Free Child podcast

• Integrated Schools podcast episode “Raising White Kids with Jennifer Harvey”

• 1619 (New York Times)

• About Race

• Code Switch (NPR)

• Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw

• Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast

• Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights)

• Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)

• Seeing White

WATCH

• 13th on Netflix: “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.” - HIGHLY RECOMMEND

• Ted Talks to help you understand racism in America: “From passionate pleas for reform to poetic turns of phrase, these talks take an honest look at everyday realities of Black Americans and illuminate the way forward.” Watch here.

• Just Mercy: “A Story of Justice and Redemption starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, Rafe Spall, Karan Kendrick and Brie Larson.”

• Black Panthers: “Filmmaker Stanley Nelson examines the rise of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s and its impact on civil rights and American culture.”

• The Black Power Mixtape: “A documentary film, directed by Göran Olsson, that examines the evolution of the Black Power movement in American society from 1967 to 1975 as viewed through Swedish journalists and filmmakers.”

• The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson on Netflix: “Victoria Cruz investigates the mysterious 1992 death of black gay rights activist and Stonewall veteran, Marsha P. Johnson. Using archival interviews with Johnson, and new interviews with Johnson's family, friends and fellow activists.”

• What Happened, Miss Simone? on Netflix: “Classically trained pianist, dive-bar chanteuse, black power icon and legendary recording artist Nina Simone lived a life of brutal honesty, musical genius, and tortured melancholy.”

• I Am Not Your Negro: FREE to stream on Hoopla. “A journey into black history that connects the past of the Civil Rights movement to the present of #BlackLivesMatter. It is a film that questions black representation in Hollywood and beyond. And, ultimately, by confronting the deeper connections between the lives and assassination of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., Baldwin and Peck have produced a work that challenges the very definition of what America stands for.

• Toni Morrison: Pieces I Am: FREE to stream on Hoopla. “Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics and colleagues on an exploration of race, history, America and the human condition.”

• Dear White People on Netflix: “Based on the acclaimed film of the same name, this Netflix-original series follows a group of students of color at Winchester University, a predominantly white Ivy League college. The students are faced with a landscape of cultural bias, social injustice, misguided activism and slippery politics. Through an absurdist lens, the series uses irony, self-deprecation, brutal honesty and humor to highlight issues that still plague today's"post-racial" society.” - One of my favorite series on Netflix.

• The Hate U Give: Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds -- the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and decide to stand up for what's right.

• When They See Us on Netflix: Five teens from Harlem become trapped in a nightmare when they're falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park.

• Loving: The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision.

• Fruitvale Station: The story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.

• Selma: A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.

• Get Out: A young African-American visits his white girlfriend's parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point.

• If Beale Street Could Talk: A young woman embraces her pregnancy while she and her family set out to prove her childhood friend and lover innocent of a crime he didn't commit.

• Do The Right Thing: On the hottest day of the year on a street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, everyone's hate and bigotry smolders and builds until it explodes into violence.

LISTEN

The musical culture that African Americans brought to America is what makes SO much of our favorite music possible. Learn a little more about their impact by reading this article on PBS or watch this short doc on Chess Records.

Another easy way to support the Black community each and every day is to start streaming their music! Take it upon yourself to look up artists you’re not familiar with. Make a conscious effort to add Black artists to your playlists. We’ve linked two playlists below to get you started…

• 100+ Black Artists to Support on Bandcamp

SUPPORT LOCAL

This isn’t just a Minneapolis issue or an America issue, this is a local issue. Make the effort to support your local Black owned businesses. Build up the community around you! Check out supportblackowned.com to find a business near you.

• How to Support Black Owned Small Businesses

• 77 Black Owned Businesses to Support Now

• Black-Owned Businesses - A List by Local Wolves

• Cincinnati Black Owned Businesses

• Louisville Black Owned Businesses

• Knoxville Black Owned Businesses

• Asheville Black Owned Businesses

• 11 Black Owned Vegan Businesses that Ship Nationwide

SAY THEIR NAMES

DIJON KIZZEE • DAMIAN DANIELS • ANTHONY MCCLAIN • JULIAN LEWIS • MAURICE ABISDID-WAGNER • RAYSHARD BROOKS • PRISCILLA SLATER • ROBERT FORBES • KAMAL FLOWERS • JAMEL FLOYD • DAVID MCATEE • JAMES SCURLOCK •CALVIN HORTON JR. • TONY MCADE • DIJON JOHNSON • GEORGE FLOYD • MAURICE GORDON • CORNELIUS FREDERICKS • STEVEN TAYLOR • DANIEL PRUDE • BREONNA TAYLOR • BARRY GEDEUS • MANUEL ELLIS • AHMAUD ARBERY • LIONEL MORRIS • JAQYN O’NEILL LIGHT • WILLIAM GREEN • JOHN NEVILLE • MICHAEL DEAN • ATATIANA JEFFERSON • BYRON WILLIAMS • ELIJAH MCCLAIN • JALEEL MEDLOCK • DOMINIQUE CLAYTON • PAMELA TURNER • STERLING HIGGINS • BRADLEY BLACKSHIRE • ALEAH JENKINS • JEMEL ROBERSON • CHARLES ROUNSTREE JR. • BOTHAM JEAN • HARITH AUGUSTUS • JASON WASHINGTON • ROBERT WHITE • EARL MCNEIL • MARCUS-DAVID PETERS • DORIAN HARRIS • STEPHON CLARK • RONELL FOSTER • DAMON GRIMES • JAMES LACY • CHARLEENA LYLES • JORDAN EDWARDS • TIMOTHY CAUGHMAN • ALTERIA WOODS • DEBORAH DANNER • ALFRED OLANGO • TERENCE CRUTCHER • CHRISTIAN TAYLOR • JAMARION ROBINSON • DONNELL THOMPSON JR. • JOSEPH MANN • PHILANDO CASTILE • ALTON STERLING • JAY ANDERSON JR. • ANTRONIE SCOTT • BETTIE JONES • QUINTONIO LEGRIER • COREY JONES • SAMUEL DUBOSE • DARRIUS STEWART • SANDRA BLAND • SUSIE JACKSON • DANIEL SIMMONS • ETHEL LANCE • MYRA THOMPSON • CYNTHIA HURD • DEPAYNE MIDDLETON-DOCTOR •SHARONDA COLEMAN-SINGLETON • CLEMENTA PINKNEY • TYWANZA SANDERS • KALIEF BROWDER • FREDDIE GRAY • WALTER SCOTT • NATASHA MCKENNA • RUMAIN BRISBON • TAMIR RICE • AKAI GURLEY • TANISHA ANDERSON • LAQUAN MCDONALD • CAMERON TILLMAN • DARRIEN HUNT • MICHAEL BROWN • KAJIEME POWELL MICHELLE CUSSEAUX • DANTE PARKER • EZELL FORD • AMIR BROOKS • JOHN CRAWFORD III • ERIC GARNER • JERRY DWIGHT BROWN • VICTOR WHITE III • MARQUISE JONES • RENISHA MCBRIDE • JONATHAN FERRELL • GABRIEL WINZER • KAYLA MOORE • COREY STINGLEY • DARNESHA HARRIS • JORDAN DAVIS • SGT. JAMES BROWN • DARIUS SIMMONS • REKIA BOYD • TRAYVON MARTIN • WILLIE RAY BANKS • KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR. • CLETIS WILLIAMS • ROBERT RICKS • DANROY “DJ” HENRY JR. • AIYANA STANLEY-JONES • LAWRENCE ALLEN • OSCAR GRANT • JULIAN ALEXANDER • MARVIN PARKER • DEAUNTA FARROW • SEAN BELL • KATHRYN JOHNSTON • TIMOTHY STANSBURY JR. • ANTHONY DWAIN LEE • RICKY BYRDSONG • AMADOU DIALLO • JAMES BYRD JR. • NICHOLAS HEYWARD JR. • ELEANOR BUMPURS • EDWARD GARDNER • ELTON HAYES • MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. • JIMMIE LEE JACKSON • JAMES EARL CHANEY • LOUIS ALLEN • MEDGAR EVERS • HERBERT LEE • EMMETT TILL • GEORGE STINNEY JR.

AND SO MANY OTHERS.

This list will be updated as we discover new resources.

WATCH FEVER 333's LONG LIVE THE INNOCENT [LIVE DEMONSTRATION]

“If You Don’t Show Up for Black People, You’re Not Supporting Rock Music.”

FEVER 333, a band known for their sociopolitical music, hosted a live demonstration online on June 3rd, as a “ concentrated effort to encourage people to go beyond awareness and take action.” In a press release, Jason Butler shared - "With localized efforts in the name of justice for a specifically targeted group of people in this country, this will serve as an artistic activation as well as a platform to activate necessary measures for social and racial reformation.”

The demonstration was and still is free to watch, though the band asks viewers to consider donating to Black Lives Matter & Minnesota Freedom Fund. Watch the full demonstration above and read frontman Jason Butler’s full speech below..

FULL SPEECH:

“For those of you that are familiar with this project, you’re aware that we try to create a safe space that is for everybody. No matter where you come from, no matter where you sit on the spectrum, we genuinely believed that we must open up a space that is safe enough for everyone to have a discussion.

“For years we’ve been fighting, due to ideals, constructs known as ‘race’, and the fear of each other. Right now in America, there is a fire that is being stoked, flames that are being fanned by people in power. The people are relinquishing their power – the very power that we possess, simply by existing, as a people, as a nation, as a constituency. We are giving up our power to someone, and to people, and to a system, that does not care about us – not the way it cares about itself.

“I don’t care where you sit on this spectrum: if you’re able to watch the atrocities that are happening every single day – much like our brother George Floyd being slain on the streets in front of a camera – and you don’t think that there’s a problem, then you are that fucking problem.

“Like I said, this is a safe space, and we can have that conversation all day. But do not retreat when I tell you what the fuck it is that you are. These are facts laid out on paper. These are policies written out, systems in place. You can find this out for your very self. This is not bias. I promise you: if you seek this out, you will find it, and it will be verified by our system – the one I mentioned earlier.

“What I ask of you today is to have the conversation. Don’t be afraid to have the conversation – so afraid that you impose violence upon another person. I challenge you to have the conversation today. I’ll have it with you.”

“Rock music specifically has benefitted from black bodies from the beginning of times, and it never shows up for black people,” he said. “The [rock media] has benefitted off of black culture and black music, and they need to continue to represent black culture in a way that is positive and understood. They should show up for black people, show up for trans people, show up for immigrant people, show up for everybody that literally helped comprise this music. Rock music has become homogenized, and very, very safe and it typically looks like a white, hetero normative male – and that is not rock music.”

View this post on Instagram

@fever333 - 06/03/20 // 📸: @stvthrasher #fever333

A post shared by Steve Thrasher (@stvthrasher) on Jun 3, 2020 at 10:36pm PDT

Them Evils New Shirt Benefits Industry Workers Affected by Covid-19

If you’re anything like me, you don’t need much of a reason to buy a new band tee. I mean…what else are we going to wear during self isolation?!

Well, some of our favorite rock n’ rollers, Them Evils, just unveiled their new logo, announced the release of a new song coming May 29th, AND launched a new t-shirt. The best part - a portion of proceeds from the t-shirt will go toward benefitting people of both the service and music industry who have recently been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic via The USBG Foundation.

It’s been 2 years since we’ve had new music from Them Evils and to say we’re excited is quite an understatement. Support the music scene and go pre-save their upcoming release, ‘Where Ya Gonna Crash Tonight’ and pre-order a t-shirt now…

PRE-ORDER T- SHIRT HERE

PRE-SAVE ‘Where Ya Gonna Crash Tonight’

Doomed Fest, an Online Music Festival, Benefits Artists Who Lost Work Due to COVID-19

After the Center for Disease Control officially recommended events larger than 50 people be canceled due to the rapidly spreading Coronavirus, the music industry came to a screeching halt. Almost all tours have been postponed or canceled leaving a large number of artists and industry workers without a source of income. In the midst of this universal health crisis, organizers of a new online concert community Doomed Fest Paige Williams and Rebecca Potzner want to give the music industry a way to still connect while social distancing.

Doomed Fest has been created with our health in mind, to bring online concerts, live interviews, photographer showcases, and much more to music fans worldwide. Doomed Fest's ultimate goal is to bring revenue back to both artists and their teams through ticket sales, music and merch sales, donations, extra VIP offerings, and more. All proceeds will go directly to performing bands or crew and industry members to help them keep the lights on during this stressful moment in time.

For any bands or artists (full-band or acoustic) that are interested in taking part in our ongoing Doomed Fest concert series, please head to the following link and complete the form in full.
https://forms.gle/DmnYsjRB2B2VLcKa6

For any industry members either looking for financial assistance or looking to provide assistance (time, resources, etc) with the Doomed Fest online series, please complete the following form in full.
https://forms.gle/6vgUzZsBQSNF69jW6

Connect with Doomed Fest               

https://www.facebook.com/doomedfestonline/
https://twitter.com/doomedfest
https://www.instagram.com/doomedfest/
https://doomedfest.com/