How can we do better?

This week brought personally exciting news, big announcements, and difficult decisions. It was a real rollercoaster, on top of the heartbreak in the world.

Usually, this space is for uplifting things like chickens on UFOs and beautiful choreography, but this week, I want to ask you to sit with a little discomfort if you can. There will still be some lighter things, but I'm going to hold your face towards the fire for just a moment.

As a white woman writing to the white portion of my audience, I say: Don't look away because it is uncomfortable. Allow yourself to be held accountable for your actions - and your inactions. Be open to learning how to be better for your Black neighbors. If that brings your defenses up and makes you want to say, "But I - " stop and consider what it is about decentering yourself makes you uncomfortable. This beauty of being anti-racist is that you do not have to be perfect, but you have to be willing to learn and unlearn as we dismantle the systemic racism that oppresses our neighbors.

If you want more information about anti-racist work, do the research and do not expect or demand that Black and non-Black POC activists provide you with free resources on their own time. Many of them have literally written the book on dismantling white supremacy - buy their books. Pay them for their emotional and intellectual labor. LISTEN when they do offer free education and do the work for yourself.

I love you, even when life is hard - because life is hard. Because my ancestors have taught me that living fully means knowing that the world may break your heart, and loving it anyway.

Black lives matter.
Here are just a few ways you can love your world:

TAKE ACTION

- Sign the Color of Change petition for justice
- Sign the Black Visions Collective petition to defund police in Minneapolis
- Reach out to your local SURJ chapter to see how you can support local actions

DONATE

- The NAACP and your local Black Lives Matter chapter
- The Loveland Foundation which provides mental health services to Black women and girls
- Also consider: Color of Change, Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU, National Bail Out

READ

- Rachel Cargle's "When Feminism is White Supremacy in Heels" (Harper's Bazaar)
- Layla F. Saad's "I need to talk to spiritual white women about white supremacy"
parts one and two
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

WATCH

- Ok, you've looked at hard things, have a cookie: Taika Waititi talking about creativity (YouTube)
- Have you ever wanted to be a raptor biologist? Ride along with Caitlin Davis in this REI short film (YouTube)

LISTEN

This week’s playlist is as moody as I am. (Spotify)
Deliberate and Doing it Afraid podcast with Jamila Reddy has dropped so much knowledge into my heart lately (Spotify)

And before I sign off for the weekend, don’t forget to check out this week’s big release:

The Unbridled Creative Workbook!

This is a free creative resource to help guide artists through blocks and cultivate resilience.

Read more about the process here

Learn about the other services I will be offering in the coming months

Or get the free pdf download here! (Available free through July 2020)
EDIT AUGUST 2020: Workbook now available HERE!

Have a wonderful week! Take care!

xx

Callahan

Sunday Souvenirs // 6