Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
It has been one year since the murder of George Floyd incited a global outrage and amplified the movement for Black lives. One year of radical race work in the name of justice for Black and Brown people disproportionately killed by law enforcement. One year of intra-community solidarity-building and amplification of a racial reckoning helmed by Black, Indigenous, People of Color.
The artEquity team asked one another: what does this anniversary mean to us and how do we respond to a day that has come to represent the necessary, daily movement of protecting Black lives? This isn’t a moment for hollow sentiments. This isn’t a moment for an annual commemoration or performative statement to be all that we do.
This is a moment of recognition that justice work is a daily practice. A time to acknowledge and uplift justice work, overwhelmingly held by Black women, that has resulted in police reform, elections and legislative wins, and mental health resources across the US. One year later we reflect on how we must embody antiracism everyday.
Below is a small sample of resources to learn more and inspire us to stay engaged.
Image description: peach background with teal waves in the upper left and right corners of a square image. The words, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." -Martin Luther King Jr. are in the top center of the image. A message below it reads, "We are on this long journey with you and we believe that all paths must lead toward justice. We acknowledge the challenges along the way and we also celebrate the election milestones that move us closer to liberation. Whether this be Sarah McBride becoming the first transgender woman state senator or Cori Bush becoming Missouri’s first Black congresswoman or New Mexico becoming the first state to elect all women of color to Congress or California voters passing Prop. 17 which will restore the right to vote to more than 50,000 parolees in the state, we are moving forward. These are part of our collective liberation and we will continue to gain and celebrate these victories!"
Image description: peach background with teal waves in the upper left and right corners of a square image. The words, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." -Martin Luther King Jr. are in the top center of the image. A message below it reads, "We are on this long journey with you and we believe that all paths must lead toward justice. We acknowledge the challenges along the way and we also celebrate the election milestones that move us closer to liberation. Whether this be Sarah McBride becoming the first transgender woman state senator or Cori Bush becoming Missouri’s first Black congresswoman or New Mexico becoming the first state to elect all women of color to Congress or California voters passing Prop. 17 which will restore the right to vote to more than 50,000 parolees in the state, we are moving forward. These are part of our collective liberation and we will continue to gain and celebrate these victories!"
