June 4, 2020

Dear WOCC Family,

Over the past week and a half we have seen a senseless killing of an unarmed black man in this exhausting cycle of violence. His murder has been a catalyst for a movement that cries for black justice and a demand for equality. We are sickened by the normalization of violence against peaceful protestors in addition to the militarization of law enforcement against its own citizens.

Unfortunately, George Floyd was just one of the individuals who have died as a result of deep rooted unaddressed systemic failures. Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Philando Castile, Sandra Bland, Mike Brown, and unfortunately so many others have left mothers, sisters, daughters, cousins and aunties in grief. For many of us, we could say that these individuals could have been our family and we mourn with all who are grieving. News that ALL FOUR officers have been arrested and charged is a significant step towards justice for George Floyd and his family. But, the work does not stop there to address systemic racism.

While we are hurting and in deep pain, we must be informed and unite around concrete actions to fight these evils. Let’s reach out to our sisters and brothers of all races, educate them on your experience as a person of color and help them become advocates, allies and supporters to address these racial issues that are prevalent in our society.

There are many ways to process your feelings, thoughts and emotions. Please do not suffer in silence. We have been hosting weekly check-ins during the COVID-19 “Stay at home advisory” as a safe space for us to process our thoughts and feelings. If there was ever a time for the Women of Color Circle (WOCC), now is that time. Let us circle around one another. Mothers we feel you. Sisters we are here for you. Wives we mourn with you. Aunties we feel the hole in your chest.

Lastly, let us not be distracted by the violence of a select few, but instead focus on taking little steps to make big changes in the following areas:

• Attend town halls and city council meetings (they are free and open to the public); attend rallies and peaceful protests (be safe and be smart). It is important to be aware and get involved in what your local and state government is doing. • When November 2020 comes be intentional and informed when going out to VOTE. Know the name of your city’s mayor and council members, look at what policies they have put into place, and then ADVOCATE for changes. • Know the roles of community groups in addressing issues • Ask about local law enforcement policies specifically around deescalating policies • Take more action by visiting and sharing the links below curated by our colleague Faetitia Desamours (A BIG thank you) who leads the Graduate Students of the African Diaspora (GSAD) organization

Let’s make people to WOCC. Together we can do this. Together we can get through this. Together we will overcome this.

With Hope, Love and Power,

Misty Farrell-Pennington & Marly Thomas Women of Color Circle Founders & co-Chairs Boston University Women’s Guild [email protected] www.bu.edu/womensguild/

SELF-EDUCATION

Resource lists:

• Black Women Radicals and AAFC Solidarity Reading List: 2020 resource list by Black Women Radicals and the Asian American Feminist Collective • Anti-racism resources for white people: 2020 resource list by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein (select from within this list of resources) • Resource guide that’s non-attributable but shared by multiple reputable sources

Additional Books (most of these have e-books):

• Freedom is a Constant Struggle and Women Race & Class by Angela Y. Davis • Algorithms for Oppression by Safiya Umoja Noble • Between the World & Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates • Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur • The Xenofeminist Manifesto by Laboria Cuboniks • The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Additional Articles & Websites:

• Nonviolence as Compliance in Baltimore: 2015 Atlantic article by Ta-nehisi Coates • Why Amy Cooper Knew Exactly What She Was Doing by Zeba Blay • M4BL platforms page

Additional Videos & Podcasts:

• activist shorts • Don’t Be a Bystander: 6 Tips for Responding to Racist Attacks

Video and Documentary Suggestions:

• 13th (available on Netflix) • Selma (available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes) • Just Mercy (available on Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube) • (available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu) • Do Not Resist (available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes) • Do The Right Thing (available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes) • Black Panther (available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+) • Get Out (available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes) • When They See Us (available on Netflix) • I Am Not Your Negro (available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes) • 12 Years A Slave (available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes) • If Beale Street Could Talk (available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu)

Fund bail bonds for protestors:

• Complete list here • Minneapolis: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/ • Boston: https://massbailfund.org • Boston: https://massbailfund.org • Los Angeles: http://www.gofundme.com/f/peoples-city-council-ticket-fund • New York: https://freethemall4publichealth.org • Baltimore: https://baltimoreactionlegal.org/community-bail-fund • Oakland/San Jose: https://siliconvalleydsa.org/donations/ • Pittsburg: https://bukitbailfund.org • Philly: https://phillybailfund.org • Chicago: https://chicagobond.orgl • Atlanta:https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/support-justiceforgeorgefloyd-protesters-in-atlanta • National: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-bail-project and https://secure.actblue.com/donate/freeblackmamas2020 • LGBTQ: https://lgbtqfund.org

Memorial funds for victims of :

• George Floyd Memorial Fund • I run with Maud - Justice for Amaud Arbery Fundraiser • Justice for Breonna Taylor Petition and Fundraiser [looking for this link] • In Memory of D’Andre A. Campbell Fundraiser

National organizations and initiatives:

• Movement 4 Black Lives • Black Lives Matter • National Project • • Unicorn Riot - nonprofit on-the-ground reporting of protests

Minnesota organizations and initiatives:

• • North Star Health Collective • Save Mama Safia’s Kitchen - Somali restaurant destroyed in MN protests; BLM supporting owners •

Support black business owners: • Official Black Wall street