WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER
WE HEAR YOU. WE SEE YOU. WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!
I am heartbroken by the pain and division we are facing amongst each other. The recent events of protests are nothing new but are recognized as another opportunity that we can come together in unity to shed light and voice our concerns of racism together. My company AIIR is working diligently, as a beauty company built on standards to make a difference for all, to move forward with the utmost respect to every soul during the current state of events.
As I start to navigate this movement and wanting to educate I wanted to share my fave resources for both myself to understand and my children. Also below you will find a resource guide the AIIR team has put together. See below.
What Im currently reading to my children and amazon does 30 day free trial for the Kindle app and you get these books for free. Please take advantage and have those conversations with your children.
An honest explanation about how power and privilege factor into the lives of white children, at the expense of other groups, and how they can help seek justice. —THE NEW YORK TIMES
Almost 10 years before Brown vs. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez and her parents helped end school segregation in California. An American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage who spoke and wrote perfect English, Mendez was denied enrollment to a “Whites only” school. Her parents took action by organizing the Hispanic community and filing a lawsuit in federal district court. Their success eventually brought an end to the era of segregated education in California.
An inspiring and motivational book with beautiful and amazing quotes promoting messages of Love, Equality, Togetherness, Diversity and Fighting Racism.
Audio books (because of my lack of time) Im reading and on my list
The New York Times best-selling book exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.
And I highly suggest checking our Jane Elliott who internationally known teacher, lecturer, diversity trainer, and recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education, exposes prejudice and bigotry for what it is, an irrational class system based upon purely arbitrary factors. And if you think this does not apply to you. . . you are in for a rude awakening.
My fave Podcasts
Scene on Radio is a podcast that tells stories exploring human experience and American society
Episode 177: Talking to Your Children About Race and Racism with Mikiala Tennie
And if what i’m doing currently isn’t enough for you and you need more check out AIIR compiled a guide of beneficial resources for those looking to seek ways to help, learn, and support the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
What to Listen to (Podcasts):
- Intersectionality Matters! Hosted by Kimberle Crenshaw
What Books to read:
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- Raising Our Hands by Jenna Arnold
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Janet Mock
- How to Be an AntiRacist by Ibram X. Kendi
- A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory
- Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
- I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
- Who do you Serve? Who Do You Protect? By Alicia Garza
What to Watch:
- How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion | Peggy McIntosh at TEDxTimberlaneSchools (18:26)
- 13th Documentary (Netflix)
- American Son (Netflix)
- The Disturbing History of the Suburbs (Youtube)
- Dear White People (Netflix)
- Public Address on Revolution, Revolution Now | Rachel Cargle
Who To Follow:
- Tiffany Jana
- Robin DiAngelo
Ways to Cope With Emotions:
- Spirit Guidebook by Kerry Burki
To all of our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community we are standing with you as an ally. Please know inequality and racism bothers us to our core and though we are a small self-owned brand, we are working hard to do what we can to make things right. Not just for the next few weeks to come, but every single day.
We owe it to our race the race of human kind to do research to be able to understand what is going on to the best of our ability. Im here for change and believe we are stronger together, do you?