5 Things Friday
Join this antiracism text chain, Black joy at the SFPL, and doing environmental justice differently. Here are your antiracism action steps for February 18.
Dr. Akilah Cadet just announced the launch of her educational platform, the Change Cadet Action Network. Photography by Aubrie Pick.
We are looking at the news today and trying to figure out how to sum things up for ya—the SF school board recall, the police deciding accountability actually isn't working for them, a white female Olympian getting a pass on a failed drug test. And while the flurry of news stories and opinions make it tempting to throw up our hands and say "It's complicated"... it's actually not that complicated. It's actually pretty damn predictable. The longtime activists knew this moment was right on the heels of all that loud and proud allyship and solidarity back in 2020. The backlash against antiracism is real and it's wrapped up in all kinds of "complicated" political issues that can understandably make anyone's head spin. But that's why it's important to stay clear and focused and educated on the issues. Our advice? Ditch the news for a few days and instead sign up for Dr. Akilah Cadet's brand new Action Network (below). Reacquaint yourself with the core principles of antiracism and learn from someone who has been at it her whole professional life. Stay the course, stay committed. It's only going to get messier and we need your help.
Here are your 5 Things.
SIGN UP FOR THIS. Dr. Akilah Cadet just announced the launch of her educational platform, the Change Cadet Action Network (CCAN)!!! If you did the Ally Nudge or miss my public workshops this platform is for you. You can learn through text messaging or self-paced content full of modules, videos, and resources on the platform. Content will be added regularly so you can continually learn and unlearn to show up for those who may have less privilege than you. And for the international folks all content is available online so you can access it without having a cell phone number or up at midnight. First up, Ways to be Anti-Racist which is fitting module for Black History Month. So what CCAN you do to be anti-racist today? Sign up right here!
WATCH THIS. On Wednesday, San Francisco Unified School District and San Francisco Public Library children's librarians teamed up to talk about Black Joy in youth kidlit. BIPOC librarians, Ayana Thompson (SFUSD), Rachel Fiege (SFPL) and Jason Hill (SFPL), share favorite books and resources including Coretta Scott King award titles and much more. For kids and their families. Watch the inspiring, informative talk right here!
DONATE TO THIS. Yesterday would have been the 80th birthday of Huey P. Newton, the co-founder of the Black Panther Party. Honor his memory by donating to the Oakland based Huey P. Newton foundation, which preserves and promotes the true legacy and ideals of the Black Panther Party.
KNOW THIS. Yesterday, 19 Austin Police officers were indicted and charged with assault with a deadly weapon for their brutal assaults on innocent men, women, and children all over the city after the murder of George Floyd. Austin, like SF, recently elected a progressive DA, Jose Garza, and this indictment is the result. It’s the single biggest arrest of violent police in American history. Meanwhile, SF's DA, Chesa Boudin, is facing a recall and a police department doing everything it can to strip him of his authority when it comes to investigating police violence.
GO TO THIS. The brand new BIPOC environmental justice storytelling collective, People Over Plastic, is hosting their FIRST story salon on 2/24 in San Francisco at Shack 15 in the Ferry Building. With 99% of plastic coming from fossil fuels today, POP believes conversations about the climate crisis AND the plastic crisis must center people of color and indigenous voices who are most impacted from it. Hear stories from renowned environmental attorney and thought leader Patrice Simms, river protector and Trump border wall plaintiff Tricia Cortez, and community organizer defeating big oil—Goldman Prize winner Sharon Lavigne. The salon style conversation will be moderated by globally recognized communicator and plastic pollution expert Shilpi Chhotray. RSVP right here!