Although this video by Cut was published in February 2017, the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Manuel Ellis at the hands of the police make it very relevant today. The video is of various Black parents talking to their kids about how to behave when interacting with the police.
Before watching, please take a few slow, calming, deep breaths to come into the present moment, and watch this video. As you watch this video, we encourage you to mindfully and compassionately notice any thoughts and feelings that arise. Then gently return your full attention to the video.
Mindful Contemplation Activity
After watching the video, take some time to answer these questions f
1. What feelings arose for you and what was the thinking behind those feelings?
2. What other thoughts arose for you?
3. For any defensive, judgmental, guilty, or angry thoughts that arose, investigate each one of them by asking:
A. Name three ways in which this thought is not true?
B. Name three ways in which this thought is unhelpful?
C. What is another way to think about this situation that is truthful, helpful, and that allows you to remain grounded in your inner peace?
Creating the Beloved Community
Racism is deep in our country, and it will take all of us working together for change to make progress and create Beloved Community. Which of the following would you be willing to do to help end racism?
1. Financially support and join one or more organizations working for equality, civil rights, structural changes to end systemic racism, and police reform/abolition. This list of local (Twin Cities) groups was compiled by Reclaim the Block who has been heavily involved in organizing in Minneapolis after the George Floyd’s murder. They compiled this list to “lift up” various groups providing necessary services to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities in the Twin Cities.
African Career, Education, and Resource (ACER) - A nonprofit organization that engages African immigrants living in the north and northwest suburbs of Minneapolis.
Al Maa'uun - Al Maa'uun is a nonprofit with deep roots in North Minneapolis, serving thousands of households each year with food and critical supplies.
Black Immigrant Collective - The Black Immigrant Collective amplifies and makes visible the voices of Black immigrants in Minnesota.
Black Women Speak - Gathering Black Women in Minnesota to share our experiences in order to heal, find joy and move toward liberation on our own terms!
Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha - CTUL is a worker-led organization where workers organize, educate and empower each other to fight for a voice in their workplaces and in their communities.
Cities Care Collective - South-Minneapolis based rad worker-owned childcare co-op working to provide easy access childcare by and for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and queer organizers and families.
Division of Indian Work - Division of Indian Work’s mission is to support and strengthen urban American Indian people through culturally-based education, traditional healing approaches, and leadership development. We provide many services to the community but the most relevant one right now is our food shelf.
Du Nord Riot Recovery Fund - Du Nord Craft Spirits is a Black-owned distillery with a building that was damaged. They’ve “received a tidal wave of love and support from across the nation and many have asked how they can help… Therefore, Du Nord is establishing this fund to support black and brown companies affected by the riots.”
Femme Empowerment Project- Venmo @femmeempowermentproject. Skill shares and discussions led by and for QTIIBPOC femmes in the twin cities. Creating space for cultural resiliency, healing and ancestral wisdom. Currently organizing supplies and medic trainings.
Isuroon - Isuroon is a grassroots nonprofit organization working to promote the well-being and empowerment of Somali women in Minnesota and beyond.
Joyce Preschool - emergency fund for families who had to evacuate their homes near Lake Street last week, and who are now coming back to a devastated neighborhood with no grocery stores within walking distance.
Lake Street East African Worker Recovery Fund - Business owners have raised millions to rebuild, but workers have no recourse until then. The Awood Center is raising money to provide aid to hundreds of workers until they can return to their jobs.
Latino Community on Lake Street - fundraiser for Latinx owned businesses on Lake Street.
Little Earth Residents Association - Food and safety needs for residents of Little Earth of United Tribes.
Migizi Communications - MIGIZI Communications advances a message of success, well-being and justice for the American Indian community. Support them rebuilding after fire.
Minnesota Healing Justice Network - We provide a supportive professional community and mutual aid network for wellness and healing justice practitioners who also identify as IBPOC (indigenous, black, or people of color).
New Mindsets, New Media, New Leaders, and Narratives (N4) - youth-led organization that applies community mobilization to heal and transform society. We combat social stigmas related to race, gender, culture, intelligence, and health utilizing artistry and activism.
Northside business support - support businesses on Minneapolis’s Northside that have been impacted by recent demonstrations.
Oasis of Love - A Northside organization that was established to help combat the challenges of domestic violence.
Pimento Relief Fund - We’re partnering with Pimento to provide black business without insurance relief after white supremacists set them on fire during the protests.
Powwow Grounds - send via paypal to angelswann2021@gmail.com - Native-run cafe, currently providing meals to elders, protectors and community, purchasing medical supplies, fire supplies, cooking supplies.
PPNA - Renters Support Fund - operated by the Minneapolis Renters' Coalition, a group of residents, community organizations, and neighborhood organizations committed to supporting renters in our community.
Southside Harm Reduction- Southside Harm Reduction Services works within a harm reduction framework to promote the human rights to health, safety, autonomy, and agency among people who use substances.
Spiral Collective - A volunteer full-spectrum reproductive options and support group comprised of doulas, birth-workers, and passionate reproductive justice advocates. based in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, occupied Dakhóta territories.
Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar- A coalition formed after the murder of Jamar Clark by MPD to continue the work and gather people around the fight against police crimes. TCCJ4J has been active on the frontlines after the murder of George Floyd.
Unicorn Riot - A decentralized media organization that has been live-streaming uprisings
Until We Are All Free - Non-profit organization working towards the liberation of incarcerated men and women and help them fulfill their roles as human beings in society, contributors to art, financial liberation, community development, culture ambassadors, mothers.
West Broadway Business and Area Coalition - WBC in partnership with Northside Funders Group will direct all donations to support Northside businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and the recent uprising.
Women for Political Change - Holistically investing in the leadership and political power of young women and trans & non-binary individuals throughout Minnesota.
2. Like, follow, or join one or more of the above organization’s social media accounts or email lists and read their posts and newsletters?
3. Volunteer for one or more of the above organizations.
3. Engage in sacred listening when your Black, Indigenous, or People of Color friends, colleagues, and acquaintances speak about race and racism, or share how something you did or said negatively impacted them?
Sacred listening means you listen with humility and empathy in an effort to understand them. Don't offer advice. Don't try to fix them or their situation. Don't try to be a White hero. Don't explain how you experienced something similar to them. Don’t interrupt them. Just listen whole-heartedly. While listening, it is OK to feel discomfort, sadness, guilt, remorse, compassion, and other strong feelings. But whatever you do, please don't let the conversation become about you and your pain.
After they have spoken, you may reflect back to them what they said, starting with a phrase like, “I heard you say…” Or you may request additional information, starting with a phrase such as, “I noticed…”, or “I wonder…”, or “Could you tell me more about…”, or you could simply praise their many wonderful qualities by starting with the phrase “I appreciate…”
4. Reach out to your Black friends and neighbors to ask how they are doing and if there is any way you can support them?
5. Visit the George Floyd Memorial on E 38th St. and Chicago Ave in Minneapolis?
6. Read books by Black authors? Here are a few to get you started: Walking with the Wind by John Lewis. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Why We Can't Wait by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
There are many things you can do to help. This list is just to get you started thinking. For those of us who are White people, it is important that we first recognize our ignorance on these issues, and learn about them from those who experience them on a regular basis. That’s why this list emphasizes sacred listening, and learning from those groups who monitor and engage in the struggle to help those harmed by racism.
May you be free of suffering and the root causes of suffering: greed, fear, and falsehood. May you be safe and protected, peaceful and happy, and healthy and strong. May love and wisdom protect and guide you.