Over the past two weeks, so much has started on the path to equality. I am legitimately surprised it has taken this long. Black lives matter.
Before you even think of saying all lives matter, look at it this way.
A house in your neighbourhood is on fire. The fire department will focus on that one house. Not all of the houses right? That’s exactly whats happening now. Black lives need our focus right now.
Since this all started here’s an ongoing list of BLM victories
With that in mind this is far from over. Here’s a few links to some resources that you can use to donate to the cause.
Stay informed, keep sharing on Social Media. Educate yourself. Do not let this movement disappear.
Fellow LGBTQ+ we are indebted to a black trans women for her roll in starting the Stone Wall Riots. Don’t forget that. Show your support. Keep having those awkward conversations, keep learning, keep reflecting, help fight systemic racism.
Defund the Police
When you hear some of us talking about defunding the police. It does not mean abolish the police. It means the police will not be OVER funded.
Here in Canada, the police are not trained as mental health councillors, or medical professionals, or education specialists, or in social work. So why do we expect them to handle everything?
Let them actually focus on crime.
The process will make more money available to allocate to other resources and services. Allowing us to reassess our values, and invest more responsibly into our communities, our people, our schools, our hospitals, our infrastructure, etc.
Systemic Racism in Canada
The RCMP’s original purpose was to displace indigenous people from their land. Let’s not forget enforcing the Indian Act. Not sure what that is?
According to the Pivot Legal Society study “17 years of Police Violence in Canada” Between the years 2000-2017 Canadian police were involved in roughly 460 fatal conflicts with civilians. One third, so about 154 of those deaths were indigenous individuals. Indigenous people make up about 4.8% of Canadas population. Let that sink in for a moment.
Chief Allan Adam of the Athabascan Chipewyan First Nation was violently arrested by the RCMP. They stopped him over an expired license plate. The RCMP refuse to release footage of the arrest.
This is just the most recent of many incidents.
Don’t even get me started on the disappearance of countless first nations women and children. Having to Rely on volunteers, and personal investigation because our governing officials, and RCMP turn a blind eye to the situation. It is heartbreaking.
Alright, rant is over.
I mentioned this on Instagram, I should also mention it here.
A portion of all sales this month will be going towards supporting the BLM movement. Most likely to the BLM Bail Funds or the Minnesota Freedom Fund. Whomever needs it most by the 30th.
Stay Creative,
Justin Erickson
