We invite you to join us in learning how to help support the Black community and inform ourselves regarding racial injustice in New Zealand and abroad. We have listed some resources below, with learning being the first step to being an ally to the Black community. We understand these are difficult conversations to have, but we know that the hearts and minds of our customers are open, compassionate, kind, and willing to step out of their comfort zone in pursuit of personal growth for the world’s greater good. Links to essays, articles and websites to help self-educate: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a22717725/what-is-toxic-white-feminism/ http://convention.myacpa.org/houston2018/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/UnpackingTheKnapsack.pdf https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/13/opinion/sunday/heartbeat-of-racism-denial.html This document by Bryanna Wallace and Autumn Gupta has a schedule of learning resources for each day, separated by time slots 10 minutes/day, 25 minutes/day, 45 minutes/day: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H-Vxs6jEUByXylMS2BjGH1kQ7mEuZnHpPSs1Bpaqmw0/preview?pru=AAABcptFf7s*9tmyu6j-FsU2uP_LH_DrmQ https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/04-06-2020/the-whakapapa-of-police-violence/ https://givenothing.co.nz/about Podcasts:1619 by New York TimesIntersectionality Matters! By Kimberlé CrenshawCode Switch by NPRThe Diversity Gap by Bethaney Wilkinson If you wish to donate, these funds lend direct support: Black Lives Matter Global Network: Funding the movement to end state-sanctioned violence, liberate Black people, and end white supremacy forever.https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019 Bail Funds: Your donation can be split among multiple bail funds on the ActBlue website, these bail funds include the Philadelphia Bail Fund, the LGBTQ Freedom Fund, the Community Justice Exchange National Bail Fund Network and the Mississippi Bail Fund Collective.https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bail_funds_george_floyd Official George Floyd Memorial Fund: Created by George’s brother, Philonise Floyd, this fund has been established to cover funeral and burial expenses; trauma and grief counselling; lodging and travel for all court proceedings; and to assist the family in the days to come as they continue to seek justice for George. A portion of these funds will also go to the Estate of George Floyd for the benefit and care of his children and their future education. https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd Petition for Justice for Breonna TaylorBreonna Taylor, a 26-year-old African-American emergency medical technician, was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police Department officers on March 13, 2020, when they entered her apartment without a search warrant and blindly open fired, killing her. The officers were not looking for her or her partner, but an unrelated suspect who did not live in the apartment building. Only one of the officers has been fired for deadly force, and no charges have been laid. Please find a petition here demanding justice for Breonna Taylor. Image in from Black Lives Matter march in Aotea Square, Auckland New Zealand. June 1st, 2020.