In his autobiography, Howard Thurman describes the first time he had to explain racism to his daughters. They wanted to visit a playground designated for white children only in a segregated Daytona Beach, Florida. When they asked Thurman why they couldn\u2019t swing on the swings he told them:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is against the law for us to use those swings, even though it is a public school.\u00a0At present, only white children can play there.\u00a0But it takes the state legislature, the courts, the sheriffs and policemen, the white churches, the mayors, the banks and businesses, and the majority of white people in the state of Florida \u2013 it takes all these to keep two little black girls from swinging in those swings.\u00a0That is how important you are!\u00a0Never forget, the estimate of your own importance and self-worth can be judged by how many weapons and how much power people are willing to use to control you and keep you in the place they have assigned you.\u00a0You are two very important little girls.\u00a0Your presence can threaten the entire state of Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n
This conversation between parent and children took place in the 1930\u2019s but it just as easily could have happened today. For the first time, we find ourselves wishing something Thurman wrote had become irrelevant. We wish we no longer needed to explain racism to children, to adults, to ourselves. We wish we no longer needed to recognize the powerful and widespread systems in place that allow racism to infiltrate our daily lives. We wish we no longer needed to add new names to the list of Black people murdered for the color of their skin. And yet.<\/p>\n
Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. George Floyd.<\/p>\n
And before them, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin. Not to mention the countless names of Black people whose lives were ended off camera.<\/p>\n
Few words capture our grief, but capturing grief is not the point. We want only to acknowledge it. The images of murder and other acts of violence that we have witnessed this week (and for generations prior) weigh heavily on us all. You are not alone in your anger and pain. We mourn with you.<\/p>\n
Take the time you need to grieve and keep in mind that the healing process is not linear. And when you are ready to take action, we hope the following resources are helpful place to start.<\/p>\n
To Read<\/strong><\/p>\n Online<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cTurn to Ritual and Ceremony<\/a>,\u201d Lalah Delia, Vibrate Higher Daily<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf You\u2019re a White Woman and You\u2019re Uncomfortable Right Now, That\u2019s a Good Thing<\/a>,\u201d Liz Plank, Cosmopolitan \u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Books <\/strong><\/p>\n So You Want to Talk About Race<\/em>, Ijeoma Oluo<\/p>\n The Fire Next Time<\/em>, James Baldwin<\/p>\n Between the World and Me<\/em>, Ta-Nehisi Coates<\/p>\n White Fragility: Why It\u2019s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism<\/em>, Robin DiAngelo<\/p>\n For additional reading recommendations, check out this list<\/a> from Elle Magazine <\/em>and this list<\/a> from Boston-based Trident Booksellers.<\/p>\n To Watch\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 13th<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>(Netflix)<\/p>\n Do The Right Thing<\/em><\/a> (iTunes)<\/p>\n Get Out<\/em><\/a> (iTunes)<\/p>\n If Beale Street Could Talk<\/a> (Hulu)<\/p>\n The Hate U Give<\/em><\/a> (Hulu)<\/p>\n When They See Us<\/a> <\/em>(Netflix)<\/p>\n For additional viewing recommendations, check out this list<\/a> from Vox<\/em>.<\/p>\n To Do<\/strong><\/p>\n Anti-racism Resources <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAntiracist Allyship Starter Pack\u201d (Google Sheet<\/a>)<\/p>\n Civic Duty<\/strong><\/p>\n Register to vote<\/a>. And then, vote<\/a>. Change happens on the local, state, and federal level so educate yourself on candidates and election days. Make your voice heard!<\/p>\n Fundraisers <\/strong><\/p>\n The Boston University Student Government, UMOJA: The Black Student Union, and 100+ organizations have organized a fundraiser for the Black Visions Collective, Campaign Zero, and NAACP Legal Defense Fund. In their first 24 hours, they raised nearly $50,000. Learn more about their efforts here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For additional resources, check out this Google Sheet<\/a> and this link<\/a> for other opportunities to donate money and supplies. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n HTC Community <\/strong><\/p>\n Want to talk? The HTC is hosting open office hours from the week of June 1 through the week of July 7. Find the schedule and Zoom links on our website calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mental Health Resources <\/strong><\/p>\n Therapy for Black Girls <\/em>(website<\/a>)<\/p>\n \u201cHow to Find a Black Therapist Virtually<\/a>,\u201d Essence <\/em><\/p>\n