We are with you.

It is with a heavy heart that we write this post, however we both believe it is necessary for us to speak up. Our black friends have suffered long enough to be able to have access to basic freedoms and rights which we have so easily received. Thus, we stand in solidarity with the Black community and condemn the murder of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others. As 1st generation South Asians in America and Canada, we recognize our privilege and inability to remain silent. It is our responsibility to raise our voices and take action against anti-black injustices and acts of racism. We are putting our money and time where our mouth is, and encourage you to please do the same if you have the means. We are aware that there is a lot of information out there, so we have compiled a list of resources in which you can help the Black Lives Matter Movement by donating funds, signing petitions, or watching movies to understand the struggle.

Donate:

• Mutual Aid Collective ATX

• National Bail Fund Network

• Split Donation to 37 Bail Funds

• Reclaim the Block

• Black Owned Businesses

• Homeless Black Trans Women Fund

• Gas Mask Fund

• EMW Women’s Reproductive Freedom Fund

Petitions: [please do NOT donate any $ to change.org!]

• Get all 4 Officers Charged

• Justice for Breonna Taylor

• Pass Georgia Hate Crime Bill

• Fire Michael J Reynold

• Text “JUSTICE” and “FLOYD” to 55156

Movies:

• Becoming - Documentary based on Michelle Obama’s Memoir

• 13th - Documentary on the racial inequality in the US

• American Son - Movie starring Kerry Washington trying to find missing son

• The Hate You Give

TV Shows:

• Dear White People - Show about social injustices surrounding black students

• When They See Us - Docuseries about the Central Park Five

• Rest in Power - Show about Trayvon Martin’s Story

Podcasts:

• Code Switch - NPR

• Still Processing - New York Times

• 1619 - New York Times

Readings:

• How It All Went Down - Kekla Magoon

• All American Boy - Brendan Kiely & Jason Reynold

• Becoming - Michelle Obama

• Beloved - Tori Morrison (One of Sadhna’s personal favorites)

• I Know Why The Caged Birds Sing - Maya Angelou

• Everybody’s Son - Thrity Umrigar

Of course we aren’t experts and there are dozens of other resources that can be used, but please take the time to educate yourself and learn how you can help. We know things are difficult right now and there is an overwhelming amount of information and bad news out there at the moment. With that being said, every individual has a role to play in the fight against racism. There is no clear solution or one right answer to doing this. It can be difficult to know what to say and do but we urge you to do more than just posting a story on your Instagram. This is a great way to spread awareness and become involved, but now is the time for action and stepping up. Not everyone will be able to make social media posts or donate (especially due to COVID-19), but we encourage you to do whatever is possible. Vote for politicians who support Black Lives Matter. Call out people in your life for making racist comments. Educate yourselves. Change your own views. There are a plethora of actions you can take, big and small, that will help further this movement and make change. Be sure to take mental health breaks as well and take this time to think about your role in this fight and what you can do. If you want more information on how to help, visit: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#. We stand in solidarity with the Black community and we hope you will stand with us and thousands of others. Change starts with us.

No Justice. No peace.

- D & S