Black Lives Matter (BLM)
Until everyone is equal, no one is equal.
“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed, but when we are silent we are still afraid, so it is better to speak,"
-Audre Lorde wrote in The Black Unicorn.
Our nation is in the midst of ongoing trauma, grieving and anger around systemic white body racism. The amplified and determined protests throughout the US and world are demanding greater awakening and accountability from those complicit in perpetuating racially-based injustices through inaction, lack of awareness and past silence. As a white, able-bodied heterosexual person of privilege and as a therapist, I stand on the side of justice, in solidarity with the Black and IPOC communities. I align with those who combat racism, injustice and white body supremacy, and realize that this commitment starts with my own personal work. I acknowledge and bear responsibility that I must do more to fight against the endemic racism that infects our institutions and is the root cause of these systemic inequities.
Say their names:
George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Oluwatoyin Salau, Amaud Arbery, Dominique Fells, Riah Milton, David McAtee, Tony McDade, Tete Gulley, Robert Fuller, Rayshard Brooks, Malcolm Harsch, Nina Pop, Yahira Nesby, Atatiana Jefferson, Botham Jean, Brianna Hill, Jarvis Sullivan, Momodou Lamin Sisay, Modesto Reyes, Tre’mall McGee, Dion Johnson, Christopher Clark, Maurice Gordon, Itali Marlowe, Bee Love Slater, Stephon Clark, Justin Howell, Aiyana Jones, Robert Johnson Jr., Rayshard Scales, David Tylek Atkinson, Yasmin Mohamed, Finan H. Berhe, Adrian Medearis, Mchale Rose, Dreasjon Reed, Jah’sean Iandie Hodje, Qavon Webb, Demontre Bruner, Said Joaquin, Alton Sterling, Philando Castille, Bailey Reeves, Kiki Fantroy, Michelle Cusseaux, Tanisha Anderson, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, India M. Beaty, Tyquarn Graves, Myra Thompson, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Brent Martin, Shaun Lee Fuhr, William De Bose, Malcolm Xavier Ray Williams, Elmer L. Mack, Chase Rosa, Virgil Thorpe, Steven Taylor, Randy Roszell Lewis, Derick L. Powe, Jasman Washington, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Pebbles La Dime Doe, Bubba Walker, Darrius Stewart, Goldie Bellinger, Johnathan Lee Adams, Zyon Romeir Wyche, Joshua Dariandre Ruffin, Dewayne Curtis Lafond, Idris Abdus-Salaam, Tracy Single, Denali Berries Stuckey, Nathan R. Hodge, Etonne Tanzymore, Tyrell Fincher, Alvin Lamont Baum, Kamaal Koby Edwards, Mycael Johnson, Lebaron Ballard, Harold Spencer, William Simpkins, Darwin Foy, Corey Jones, Dominique Antwon Anderson, Darius Tarver, Marc Dominic Neal, Alvin Cole, Leonard Parker, Keith Dutree Collins, John Crawford, Terrance Crutcher, Keith Scott, Clifford Glover, Claude Reese, Randy Evans, Yvonne Smallwood, Walter Scott, Gabriella Nevarez, Akai Gurley, Eric Garner, Donnie Sanders, Barry Gedeus, Tyler M. Jones, Elijah Jamaal Brewer, Anthony Taylor, Justin Lee Stackhouse, Kenneth Sashington, Kevin Aldolphe, Bobby Gibbs, Jeremy Grayson, Jamel Floyd, Trent Benefield, Joseph Guzman, Brooklyn Lindsey, Jordan Davis, Zoe Spears, Keith McLeod, Anthony Ashford, Quintonio LeGrier, Chanel Scurlock, Layleen Polanco Xtravaganza, Tanisha Fonville, Freddie Grey, Aura Rosser, Ezell Ford, Natasha Mckenna, Bettie Jones, Eric Reason, Dominique Clayton, Antwon Rose Jr., Bryant Allen, Freddie Helms, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, Carol Denise McNair, Jonathan Ferrel, Renisha McBride, Jordan Edwards, Clementa C. Pickney, Cynthia Marie, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, Depayne Middleton, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel L. Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Abner Louima, Laquan McDonald, Michael Donald, Keith Childress, Bettie Jones, Adaisha Miller, Kevin Matthews, Kendra James, LaTanya Haggerty, Tyisha Miller, Shelly Frey, Shereese Francis, Rekia Boyd, Charleena Lyles, Yvette Smith, Rodney King, and too many more....
Through the month of June, I will donate 10% of profits to Black Lives Matter. Also, please find a list of Black and POC owned businesses in the Portland area to continue to support below.
SUPPORT BLACK AND POC-OWNED BUSINESSES:
THE LIT BAR
The Bronx, NY
UNCLE BOBBIES
Philadelphia, PA
FUTON STREET BOOKS
Tulsa, OK
EYE SEE ME
St Louis, MO
FRUGAL BOOKSTORE
Boston, MA
ESO WON BOOKS
Los Angeles, CA
HARRIET'S BOOKSHOP
Philadelphia, PA
LOYALTY BOOKS
Silver Springs, MD
SISTER'S UPTOWN
New York, NY
TURNING PAGE BOOKSHOP
Goose Creek, SC
WILD FIG BOOKS
Lexington, KY
SOURCE BOOKSELLERS
Detroit, MI
Black-owned Restaurants/Cafes/Markets in Portland Oregon:
Kee's Loaded Kitchen
Yaed Style Jamaican Cuisine
Caribbean Spice
42nd Ave Fish and Chips
Hana's New Orlean's Snowballs & More
Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine
Cannons' Rib Express
Catfish Lane
Fish Fusion
Po'Shines Cafe De La Soul
V's Soul Food Shack
Bole Ethiopian Restaurant
Queen of Sheba Restaurant
Hayat Somali Restaurant
Merkato Ethiopian Music and Food Store
Deadstock Coffee Roasters
Cason's Fine Meats