06 Jun The Time is Now to Stand Up Against Racial Injustice

Hello my friends.  It’s been a tough week.  I’m not sure you’re feeling like I am, but I feel like I got the wind knocked out of me. We’ve seen George Floyd murdered right before our eyes by police brutality.  It’s shocking and unconscionable. As a result, we’re in the thick of major protests sweeping across the country in the middle of a global Pandemic. No words I say will be exactly right, but I felt that it was important to say something to you. Today I’m sharing some resources and a powerful essay in the LA Times written by my friend Marques Harper. It’s had a profound effect on me. I’d like you to please read and share it with your family and friends because the time is now to stand up against racial injustice.

I Stand With You

Know that my thoughts and prayers are with the families of George Floyd, but I know this is not enough. Mr. Floyd was murdered by police brutality. While thousands march in the streets against racial injustice, we are witnessing more police brutality against peaceful protestors. This is wrong. Very wrong. As a white woman, I know there are privileges I take for granted, but I will no longer be blind to the injustice before me. I’m also a mother, and my heart goes out to all black mothers who fear for the safety of their sons and daughters.  This has to change. I’ll do everything in my power to help change the racist, unjust system that is against black America.

I hear you.

I see you.

I stand with you.

Week 5 Canceled

Normally I’d be sharing Week 5 of the One Room Challenge, but they canceled it, which was the right thing to do, and went silent this week to instead share resources.

We stand in solidarity over the racial injustice and murders of George Floyd and the many other victims of police brutality and racism. To both honor and respect these victims there will not be a Week 5 of the ORC and posting will return next week. The ORC team will use this time to better educate ourselves to be the best possible allies. – One Room Challenge

The One Room Challenge website HERE shares anti-racism resources, petitions, donations, articles, and podcasts. Also books to read to educate ourselves so we can stand up against racial injustice.

Emotions Running High

Like many of you, I’m still grieving.  I’m still angry. I’m still sad.  I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything that’s going on in this important moment in history. I stepped back from my regular programming on social media this past week to support the Black Lives Matter movement. I wanted to listen, really listen. I’ve been learning a lot. And instead of talking design, I’ve been sharing the voices of people of color in my Instagram Stories and I will continue to do so. While I may not be able to actively march in the streets, I stand with the protesters and want to do everything I can to support them and find #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd.

One Man’s Story on Being Black in America

Me with friend Marques Harper.

This story below is not just by any black man.  Marques is a dear friend of mine who used to live in Austin.  He was the fashion writer for the Austin American Statesman.  I knew him as a very private person.  It was only when he offered me a lift home one evening after an Austin event, and I sat on top of a huge stack of newspapers in his passenger seat, did we become friends.  While we don’t see each other often, here we are celebrating our birthdays at, what now is, Aviary Kitchen, on one of his visits to Austin.  I cannot imagine the thought of Marques being killed from police brutality, but as you’ll see in his essay, it is all too real a daily fear. We must change this, and the time is now.

Graphic by Michael Fluellen / Los Angelos Times.

As a black man, I felt lucky to turn 40 – and sad that so many have not 

by Marques Harper | Image Editor | LA Times, June 5, 2020

When I turned 40, I didn’t take a victory lap to celebrate my successes in L.A. after a bumpy landing during my early years in the City of Angels. I didn’t focus on the wonderful memories I had or the deep sadness and melancholy that are simply a part of life, especially if you live and love long enough to reach middle age.

There was no big party with my closest friends. There were no….

Read full article HERE.

Take Action Now

Image via @blacklovebible.

There are so many things we can do to help black America. Like support black businesses, donate to organizations for racial justice, vote, and more.  Also, a simple phone call or text to our black friends to check in on them to see how they’re doing let’s them know we care. There are numerous resources online to help us all take action and I encourage you to seek them out.  I believe it is vital that we don’t let our confusion paralyze us into inaction.  As a designer, I am doing what I can to support my friends who are black designers and getting to know other designers and their work every day on Instagram. But it’s tricky….because it is important to be sensitive to their perspective. Don’t ask them what to do. Find out for yourself. Let’s be the change and stand up together against racial injustice now!

Here are a few resources that I’ve found helpful below:

Los Angeles Bucketlist

Taking Action in Solidarity with Black Lives

How black Americans can practice self-care during these trying times. And how everyone else can help them.

Resource Guide to Creating Change in Austin

35 Black Designers You Should be Following on Instagram

Black Interior Designers Network

Next week, I’ll be resuming our Kitchen Renovation for the national One Room Challenge, as I have a job to finish, design decisions to share, and sponsors I’m responsible for promoting. But know I will continue to listen, learn, and take action against racial injustice from this day forward.  Silence is no longer an option. Clearly the time to act is NOW to stand up against racial injustice. I hope you will join me and remember that we need to be in this for the long haul until we create equality for all black men and women.

Stay safe and well. XO PG