If you ever wanted to learn more about equity, diversity and inclusion and how to challenge the status quo, now is the time!

I would like to support our community’s process of learning how to be anti-racist and what steps to take, learning about intersectional feminism, trans inclusion and many others. There are some innovative and incredible resources out there and experts who are willing to teach us! Please do circulate this among your networks, your colleagues, your students, your family! As always, #blacklivesmatter #blacktranslivesmatter #protecttranskids

• Public Dialogue hosted by the Prince George's County Library in Maryland. It is a presentation by Ibram X. Kendi on "How to Be an Antiracist." This will be available on Youtube for the next 30 days. ASL interpretation and live open captions will be available for this program on all broadcast platforms

 

“Ibram X. Kendi's concept of antiracism reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in America--but even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. Instead of working with the policies and system we have in place, Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it.”

 

You can order his book from the local independent bookstore Inside Story, and anywhere you buy your books!  It is a great primer for how to be an anti-racist. For people with young children, like me, buy his book: Anti-Racist Baby!

 

• An Introduction to Anti-Racism for White Folks, hosted by PSAC, Public Service Alliance of Canada. Please find the recording here: http://psacunion.ca/anti-racism-resources This virtual discussion streamed on July 20^th 2020, and reached the max of 1001 participants!

 

• Disclosure Documentary Now streaming on Netflix. This is a beautiful documentary about Trans representation in the Media. It’s a great opening documentary for everyone, trigger warning for discussions of violence. “According to a study from GLAAD, over 80% of Americans don't personally know someone who's transgender. That means most people learn about trans people from the ways they're depicted in movies and TV.”

 

• A set of workshops hosted by Platform, and in collaboration with Girls Action Foundation, called Feminist Summer School. These are a series of workshops that are pay what you can, and open to women, trans and non-binary folks. The workshops are held online throughout July and August 2020.

“Feminist Summer School aims to increase young women and gender-diverse youth’s ability to practice intersectional, anti-oppressive leadership. As a part of our Framing Our Future program, Feminist Summer School will bridge the gaps in accessible intersectional feminist education through knowledge-sharing and community-building.  Rooted in our commitment to transformative leadership, this co-designed program endeavours to create a space for learning and unlearning where participants can challenge their perceptions and develop new understandings on intersecting social issues.”

 

 

If you watched, read or heard something and would like to chat about it, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am open to discussions to support everyone’s journey.

If you have any resources that you think I should know about, please send them along!

Hopefully we can use this time at home to learn and unlearn some important insights and nuances about our society,

Sincerely,

Polly Leonard, MSW, RSW