Happy Labor Day!
As Black Philanthropy Month closed on
August 31st, our hearts are burdened by the murders of Michael Brown and Dawnn
Jaffier. Two of our own, whose lives, from the day they were born until the
their very last breaths, demonstrate the perilous position of Black people in
American society.
The two losses, one from within and the
other at the hands of our supposed protector, point to our need to take control
of our communities to create our own destiny. Jaffier was shot in broad
daylight in an instance of apparent gang retaliation, allegedly by a Black man.
Brown was shot six times by a White police officer whose motivation is as yet
unknown.
From now on, more than ever before, we
have the power to protect our family, our children, and communities. We
can no longer let people get away with murdering us, whether it is someone in
and of our community, or someone charged with protecting our community. We
should feel obliged to reset the conversation, and reframe the image of our
people. Whether it is Dawnn Jaffiers or Michael Brown, we must stop and
take charge of ourselves and our communities!
From now on, whether it is the media
portraying our community as unruly, or philanthropy that only highlights
poverty or violence, we can no longer let tragedy pimps enrich themselves on
the backs of our people by telling their story of our sorrows and their
salvation. No longer may our systems, our media, and our language
perpetuate the insidious racism of passive looks and demeaning characterization
of our youth and, ultimately, ourselves. In the 21st century
this is unacceptable; we keep demanding more and accepting less. This
time is different -- from now on we must break through these false paradigms
that are killing us.
From now on we must join each other in
supporting our youth, families and communities. We must pick ourselves up
and define our own future. No longer can we hide behind the stereotypes
that others paint on us. We must care, nourish, develop and
enhance our community through our own time, talents and treasures.
From now on we have to use Black philanthropy to take up this mantle and save
ourselves.
Now let’s get to work!
You can join us for a local
conversation of questions and solutions through philanthropy!
Sign up to join NEBIP’s Responsive
Philanthropy for Black Communities Forum in Fall 2014 by emailing
NEBIP your contact information - rgibson@nebip.org
You can help
the community of Boston!
Help solve the death of Dawnn Jaffier
– See something, say something to homicide detectives at (617) 343-4470.
Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by
calling the CrimeStoppers Tip at 1(800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’
to CRIME (27463).
You can join the national conversation
about Police Brutality!
National Campaigns
Facebook Campaigns
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-Mike-Brown/1453132474947612
Twitter Campaigns
National Social
Justice Organizations
Maynard Institute:
From now on let’s take charge of our community
through civic action -- we will change the future!
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