Hello Colleagues,

There are so many challenges in our world and our life right now, it can be overwhelming. We are reaching out in an effort to feel some connection during this hard time of isolation, and further, a time when racism is making headlines and the headlines are heartbreaking.

As community members and citizens we have the power to influence our culture, and work to transform our smaller and larger circles. It is our hope that we can all find ways to work in an anti-racist manner, with discussion, reflection and upstanding. We strive to identify what racism looks like in each of our lives, and in the lives of people around us and make small and large changes to push that out and create a new cultural norm, rebuild a culture that recognizes all human lives as equally valuable. Unfortunately at this point that takes a lot of dismantling, and there is no better time than now to do this. the world is being rebuilt as we read this email, let's have a part in what that looks like as we rebuild our own lives.

Some of these resources are American, but are still useful here in Alberta.

There will be a rally on Friday night at 6:30 pm at the Edmonton Legislature for those who are interested in attending.

Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLnH7i906LM&feature=youtu.be

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=177878283640430&ref=watch_permalink

Current film festival on reconciliation (Until June 7, we are sending it again cause it is worth it!)

http://risedmonton.ca/reconciliation-film-festival/

Deaf Power Black Lives Matter

http://www.deafpower.me/blm

If I am a white person, what can I do?

https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

If you are looking to educate yourself, here is a recommended book list:

https://www.charisbooksandmore.com/understanding-and-dismantling-racism-booklist-white-readers

Articles related to the crisis

https://www.compasspoint.org/blog/pushing-back-against-habits-white-supremacy-during-crisis

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdshcqb3lRSwRuohxyOPuDuVK7vzIteXItuwaLmqNL4a5cS5A/viewform?link_id=1&can_id=e9513849d9705780416c06ac2544b9d2&source=email-update-getting-people-out-of-detention-centers-prisons-and-jails-before-covid-19-spreads-further-6&email_referrer=email_781857&email_subject=how-to-use-race-class-narratives-ian-haney-lopez-apr27

https://www.nfg.org/news/intersections-justice-time-coronavirus-cara-page-eesha-pandit

If you are a parent, or have kids in your lives, talking regularly about race has proven one of the most effective tools for creating a different reality in the long term-

https://www.embracerace.org/resources/teaching-and-talking-to-kids

If members have suggestions of actions we can be taking collectively during this time, or more resources they want to share, please reach out to Shelly at membership@aslia.ca.

With gratitude,

ASLIA's Addressing Race and Privilege Committee