We were originally planning to release our Birthday Bash playlist this week, just as we did for the past 7 years on this very same week. However, right now isn’t the time and it doesn’t feel right to celebrate anything, when many of us are hurting.
Now just because an issue doesn’t affect you personally, the fact that it is still very deeply anchored in modern societies isn’t right and we will never achieve to live peacefully in these conditions. Just because these are issues you have never dealt with doesn’t mean they don’t exist. They’re part of a historic and cultural heritage that we struggle to get rid of. How fucked up is it to be scared for your life every time you walk past someone whose job is supposed to guarantee the safety of all citizens?
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Surely you are aware of the news lately, but here are a few reminders of what is happening near you:
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- America: “It Was Murder”: Minneapolis Demands Charges in Police Killing of George Floyd, Calls to Defund Cops – The Death of George Floyd, in Context
- Germany: Germany: Anti-racism report recommends ways to improve fight against hate crime
Now it is important to understand that not being racist isn’t enough anymore. Our responsibility is to be proactive and in this context, silence becomes complicity. As Martin Luther King, Jr. put it, « In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends .»
More precisely, what does being actively anti-racist means? Of course everybody can’t afford to donate money or physically protest, however, there are a lot of ways we all can make a difference or at the very least try.
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BE AN ALLY
As individuals, it is crucial to understand the topic. First and foremost, we must educate ourselves. There are now many reliable resources available for free, thanks to the wonders of the Internet and modern technology:
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Understanding white privilege: « White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack », by Peggy McIntosh
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Read, listen and watch: Here’s a selection of media resources we have compiled for you:
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Websites, independant media and other resources:
– Black Lives Matter;
– Showing Up For Social Justice: “learn more about how race, class, gender and more intersect and contribute to oppression.”
– Showing Up For Social Justice: “learn more about how race, class, gender and more intersect and contribute to oppression.”
– Bondy Blog (France): Highlighting the voice of the French « tough districts »;
– The Conscious Kid: « Reducing bias and promoting positive identity development in youth »;
– Colorlines: « News site where race matters »;
– L’Echo des Banlieues (@Echobanlieues on Instagram – France): indépendant medium giving a voice to the French suburbs;
– The Black Archives Amsterdam: Dutch cultural archive on black history;
– The Black Archives Amsterdam: Dutch cultural archive on black history;
– Check Your Privilege (Myisha T.): helping folks dismantle their relationship with systems of domination through various tools.
– The Great Unlearn: Patreon providing resources and critical discourse to aid in unlearning.»
– Decolonisons-nous (FR): First steps into anti-racism and deconstructing post-colonial heritage;
– Lilith Magazine (NL): « NL Intersectional feminist platform (in Dutch with English sections);
– Millenial Black: A Manifesto for black working womxn.
– Decolonisons-nous (FR): First steps into anti-racism and deconstructing post-colonial heritage;
– Lilith Magazine (NL): « NL Intersectional feminist platform (in Dutch with English sections);
– Millenial Black: A Manifesto for black working womxn.
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Podcasts:
– Kiffe Ta Race: A French podcast about racial and sexual discrimination;
– Code Switch : NPR’s conversations about race, through culture, sports and history;
– Code Switch : NPR’s conversations about race, through culture, sports and history;
– Sans Blanc De Rien: Belgian Podcast (in French) about racism;
– black& : « podcast about racism, white people and ways to move forward. » hosted by biracial siblings;
– Black-cast (FR): centralizing culture, society and lifestyle podcasts by afrodescendent creators;
– tupodcast (DE): Hosted by Tupoka Ogette, author, anti-racism activist, working for black women empowerment, speaks about culture and society (in German);
– Black-cast (FR): centralizing culture, society and lifestyle podcasts by afrodescendent creators;
– tupodcast (DE): Hosted by Tupoka Ogette, author, anti-racism activist, working for black women empowerment, speaks about culture and society (in German);
– Feuer & Brot (DE): Politics and pop culture;
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Books:
– « This Book is Anti Racist » by Tiffany Jewell;
– « Me and White Supremacy » by Layla Saad;
– « How to be an Anti Racist » by Ibram X. Kendi;
– « So You Want to Talk About Race? » By Ijema Oluo;
– « Me and White Supremacy » by Layla Saad;
– « How to be an Anti Racist » by Ibram X. Kendi;
– « So You Want to Talk About Race? » By Ijema Oluo;
– « The End of Policing », by Alex S. Vitale – Ebook format, available for free on Versobooks;
– « Who Do you Serve, Who Do You Protect? Police Violence and Resistance in the United; States» edited by Joe Macare, Maya Schenwar and Alana Yu-Lan Price – Ebook format available for free on Haymarket;
– « The Hate You Give », by Angie Thomas (a YA novel that provides a good and simple insight of what is it to be prejudiced against and racially oppressed);
– « Who Do you Serve, Who Do You Protect? Police Violence and Resistance in the United; States» edited by Joe Macare, Maya Schenwar and Alana Yu-Lan Price – Ebook format available for free on Haymarket;
– « The Hate You Give », by Angie Thomas (a YA novel that provides a good and simple insight of what is it to be prejudiced against and racially oppressed);
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Series/Tv Shows:
– Dear White People;
– When They See Us;
– When They See Us;
– Shots Fired;
– Black-ish.
– Black-ish.
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Movies:
– The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution;
– Whose Streets?;
– I am Not Your Negro;
– 13th;
– 13th;
– Selma;
– Green Book;
– American Son.
Other references:
– Netflix NL compiled a list of movies, series, podcasts and books in Dutch, about racism and oppression;
– Blackownedfr; a collaborative space working on referencing black owned businesses in France.
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Follow organisations that do great work advocating for the oppressed and educating the others:
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Organizations:
– Lallab: Feminist and anti racist organization in France;
– European network against racism (ENAR);
– Platform 2103: Belgian collective against racism;
– Isdonline.de (DE)
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Confront racial injustices and speak up, when you see them;
- Do this on the long run and keep supporting and engaging even when the current «trend» dies down.
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.Second: Use your voice, however big or small your reach is: It can start with a conversation at the dinner table, at school, at work, or on your social media. With your friends, family, colleagues and peers, always engage in your community.
If you have the chance to have a bigger platform (many of us have a relatively big following on social media nowadays), then you can share your knowledge. Just remember one thing: do NOT share if you are not sure about your sources. Do NOT over share, especially triggering images/videos/visuals. In addition to being triggering, it isn’t respectful and can even be dangerous.
Furthermore, we are noticing that an increasing number of folx are starting to rally, so if you wish to participate to a protest, here are some useful tips (for your safety and for the others.) If you are a photographer/writer willing to document the protests, here’s some advice on how to keep this ethical, respectful and most importantly SAFE for the protesters:
– Tips on how to avoid facial recognition and metadata on protest pics;
– Webinar (June 4th) : Safely Covering Protests by International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ);
– Statement and Resources: Do No Harm: Photographing Police Brutality Protests (The Authority Collective);
– More tips for covering the protests and violence safely.
Through music and as flagbearers of the culture, many artists, especially in hardcore and punk have the fight for equality and justice at their core. This is also what « the scene » is about and here’s a playlist you can listen to, while reflecting on your position in the humankind. Most importantly, always remember: be careful, show empathy, strive to be better.
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Solidarity with all those protesting. Solidarity with the oppressed.
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LISTEN TO THE PLAYLIST : TAKE IT TO THE STREETS
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Donate:
– ENAR (Europe);
