- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
- How to be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Black Was Not a Label by Kathryn H. Ross
- “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Peggy McIntosh
To all our clients and partners,
We are a small business with the privilege of serving a majority of black owned businesses and boutiques. Amidst the ongoing protests currently taking place throughout the country in light of George Floyd’s death last week, I have taken time to educate myself on the grievances of the Black community and the injustices taking place in this nation.
It is truly a privilege to have the choice to educate myself and research about our Black community’s struggle, because I am not directly exposed to it, while so many Americans today live with the inescapable experience daily.
Under the thinly veiled system of society, we are all humans–all brothers and sisters. But it is an unfortunately but a very real, reality that not all of us live under the same reality. As a fellow person of color, I have come to the awareness of the fact that I live in a different reality than a fellow Black American and am privileged to not feel my life threatened when I see the police. And I cannot even begin to comprehend what it must be like to live under that same societal and judicial system, but feel the complete opposite of safety—danger, terror, panic, anxiety, and so much more. That, part of growing up as a Black American, you must have that talk with your parents, siblings, friends, and children as to how to act when confronted with the police, just for the basic human right to stay and be ALIVE. And I am terribly sorry that our realities as Americans in this country are so different.
I am sorry that your pain is not shared, and I am sorry that your pain is constantly challenged. I cannot say and will not say that I understand. What I can contribute is to stand with you in solidarity, and continue to research and learn myself.
As a sign of our solidarity, for the next two weeks (until June 15th) we are offering a one time 10% off discount to all our customers with the code: BLM10. In addition, will be matching 10% of all e-commerce orders to donate to the Black Lives Matter organizations that work to fight inequality. I believe it is fair to say that all POC have benefited from the historic struggle for justice that Black people have taken on, and this is the very least we can do. Below are some charity organizations. Upon checkout, please advise which charity you would like us to donate the 10% of your order to go to. We know this is not much, but unfortunately, we are a small family operated business, and due to the coronavirus pandemic, the restrictions in place to combat CoVid-19 have resulted in financial strains. Under these circumstances, we are trying our best to support our family and staff, so we appreciate your understanding.
Please stay safe out there.
In solidarity,
Joana C | E-commerce Manager
6/2/2020