Black Lives Matter

2nd June 2020

As a media organization, we have a responsibility to use our platform to amplify Black voices.

We haven’t done that enough in the past. Racism is not separate from finance or economics – in fact, the Canadian economy was built through the exploitation of Black, Indigenous, and non-white bodies.

If our platform can be used to further the racial justice work you are doing in your community, please let us know how we can assist.

If you’re looking to learn, donate, or make change, we hope the resources listed below can help you in this journey.

To Read (books and articles)…

(Some of these articles/books were brought to our attention by this Google Doc put together by Tatum Dorrell, Matt Herndon, and Jourdan Dorrell, others are through Btchcoin contributor recommendations)

On Whiteness

75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice by Corinne Shutack

Amy Cooper Knew Exactly What She Was Doing by Zeba Blay

White Feminism is White Supremacy in Heels by Rachel Cargle (also a great Instagram resource @rachel.cargle)

Discourse and Debate: Is performative activism inherently bad? By Kayla Abrams, Jemima Fregene, and Lana Awadallah

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad

The White Space by Elijah Anderson

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

On Racism and Anti-Blackness

Before You Declare Canada is Not a Racist Country, do your Homework by Vanmala Subramaniam

The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole.

This Is What Black Burnout Feels Like by Tiana Clark

Your Silence Will Not Protect You by Audre Lorde

We’re Sick of Racism, Literally by Douglas Jacobs

Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to Present by Robyn Maynard

A Timeline of Events that Led to the 2020 ‘Fed Up’-rising by Michael Harriot

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Wherever possible, we encourage ordering from local booksellers

To Watch and Listen…

“Why the Coronavirus is hitting the Black communities Hardest” by NPR

“Racism Cont’d” by What a Day

“YYC Colours: A Documentary About Racism in Calgary” by the Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation

“The Negro in American Culture” A conversation between James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry, Emile Capouya, Alfred Kazin in 1961

*For those without the funds to donate: watch this video about how to use Youtube ad revenue*

To Donate…

(Many of these organizations were brought to our attention from this article written by Melanie Woods, or by individual Btchcoin contributors)

Black Lives Matter (Toronto, Vancouver, Waterloo): is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.

Black Legal Action Centre (Ontario): a non-profit community legal clinic offering free legal services to low income Black residents of Ontario.

The Most Nurtured: (Toronto) A community-based holistic wellness centre created by and for Black womxn.

Black Health Alliance: a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada.

Black Youth Helpline (Canada-wide): focuses on education, health and community development for Black youth across Canada.

Black Women In Motion (Toronto): a youth-led organization that empowers and supports the advancement of black womxn and survivors of sexual violence

The Black Coalition of Quebec: The Coalition serves community groups and individuals in defence of their right to equal justice. While the activities of the Coalition are mostly concentrated in Quebec, it gives services to Canada as a whole.

Black in BC Community Support Fund for COVID-19 (B.C.): a fundraiser for a low-barrier, emergency, micro-grant program for Black people in B.C., who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hogan’s Alley Society (Vancouver): a non-profit organization which promotes the historical, cultural, societal and economic contributions made by Black Settlers and their descendants.

Black Space Winnipeg (Winnipeg): a grassroots organization that challenges anti-Black racism and discrimination and builds inclusivity across all sectors in Winnipeg for Black people.

The Come Up (Edmonton): a youth collective focused on empowering Black youth through community events and organizing.

Show Up For Racial Justice Toronto: moves money directly to organizations in Toronto doing racial justice work

How to Donate with No Money

– Stream to Donate: a video project to offer people a way to donate to #blacklivesmatter without having any actual money or going out to protest.