it’s been an emotional + heavy few weeks for the world. In a time where a lot of us are at a loss for words, the impact of the ones we write is more important than ever.

The past few weeks our world has been faced with some heartbreaking, devastating racism that (more than ever) has opened our minds to what is still happening around us every day in North America and around the world.

I need to start off by saying that I need to be better and will strive to be. Like so many other white folks I in no way consider myself racist. This does not mean I am anti-racist, and it certainly does not mean I am doing enough work to ensure I am being the ally that the world needs me to be.

I am incredibly thankful for so many inspiring and knowledgable articles, books, graphics, and resources being displayed online by thousands of people every day. I wish it didn’t take brutal innocent murders for us to take charge, but now more than ever we need to really show up and do our part to stop racism.

There are so many amazing resources out there right now. I encourage you to look through your social feeds and save articles, buy books, support local Black businesses, and truly educate yourself. I promise to and am learning every single day. I am doing my best to educate myself in addition to raising a little babe who takes up a lot of my time. I am finding time to learn every single day.

I want to raise a son who understands the importance of equality and leading with love, so I will work hard to make sure this stays a priority while watching him grow.

There is a lot of information out there. I understand it can be overwhelming, because a lot of white folks think they can’t make a change, or that their voice doesn’t matter. I assure you it absolutely does. I have been saving using images, articles, accounts, and tips that I feel are going to be really helpful for white folks to use to get educated. Please don’t stop here, and I promise not to either. There is so much more to learn.

This is just the beginning. Here are a few of the things I have done the past few weeks + will continue to do:

• Read articles, tweets, blogs, and posts to help educate myself

• Signed petitions in support of the BLM movement

• Registered for Rachel Cargles 30 day #DoTheWork course

• Made a donation to Black Lives Matter

• Started following so many inspiring, talented Black folks on social media

• Saved lots of different images, quotes, and resources so I can make sure I consume them all

• Shared resources, quotes + accounts on my social channels

• Purchased books for Otis and Pete + I by Black authors

• Watching recommended shows and movies that have been recommended to us. 13th (a must watch), Dear White People, Becoming (+ we’ve got many more to come)

• Have made a huge list of resources, books, movies + more to continue the conversation and my learning

BELOW ARE SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES IN SUPPORT OF #BLACKLIVESMATTER

@averyfrancis is an incredible entrepreneur, leader, and friend. I have learned so much from her in general, but even more so now while trying to navigate how to be a better ally and anti-racist. I have loved working with her on some great projects in the Toronto tech scene and she inspires me so much. Please follow her for some incredible resources.

Things non-black people can do to help (via Avery’s Instagram)

• Speak up. If you are seeing this and haven’t posted or shared anything to amplify black voices and experiences yet now is the time to do so

• Ask your non-black friends who haven’t said something to do so. Our power is magnified when we amplify individual voices as a collective

• Check-in with intention and be mindful. Don’t ask the black people in your life how their weekend was. Ask them how they are doing and let them know you are there for them.

• Don’t just buy the books we are recommending and post about it. Read them slowly and carefully. When you are done reading them talk about them. Tell us what you learned.

• Acknowledge your white privilege. If you are white you have privilege. Use it to help us. Spend your privilege by advocating for us. Being allies to us. Listen to what we have to say.

Inspiring Black Folks to Follow on Instagram:

@rachel.cargle
@studiomucci
@ohhappydani
@blackandembodied
@raquel_willis
@arielleestoria
@sugargirleeco
@buyfrombipoc
@rayoandhoney
@heartzeenahome
@toimarie@yaydaypaper
@loganlaurice
@creativekipi
@blkmakersmatter
@soyouwanttotalkabout
@grillodesigns
@iamkristabel
@blackowned.to

Shows + Movies to Watch:

13th
When They See Us
Dear White People
The Hate U Give
Just Mercy
Miss Simone
Age Of Rage
Becoming
American Son
See You Yesterday
Malcolm X
Self Made
She’s Gotta Have it
The Skin We’re In
Moonlight

PS; Cineplex is currently showing Black Stories for free right now!

Educate Yourself

blacklivesmatters.carrd.co
Black People Need Stronger White Allies - Here’s How You Can Be One
guidetoallyship.com

Ted Talks:

“We Need to Talk About an Injustice” Bryan Stevenson
“The Dangers of Whitewashing Black History” David Ikard
“Let’s Get to the Root of Racial Injustice” Megan Ming Francis
“How America’s Public Schools Keep Children in Poverty” Kandice Summer
“The Symbols of Systemic Racism And How To Take Away Their Power” Paul Rucker

Podcasts:

Colour Code - Globe + Mail
1619 - New York Times
Code Switch - NPR
The Nod - Gimlet Media
Seeing White - Scene on Radio
Pod Save the People - Crooked Media

Books:

The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole

So you want to talk about race by Ijeoma Oluo

Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum

Taking some time every week to educate yourself is what we need to do. I’ve learned so much the past few weeks and will continue to.

I hope you found this round up of resources helpful. I plan on dedicating an entire post to resources for kids soon because I’ve seen a lot of really great content around that.

Sending you all love + light,

Jules
xo