Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc.’s Post

How far have we truly come since Juneteenth? As we commemorate the day when the last enslaved African Americans were informed of their freedom in 1865, it's shocking to note that today, systemic inequality still pervades our society. While there are notable areas of progress to honor, we have a lot more work to do, especially when we think about health equity. Today, Black Americans are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of white Americans, and nearly 50% of Black inmates have a diagnosed mental health disorder, highlighting the ongoing struggle for true justice and equality. On this Juneteenth, let's honor the resilience and strength of those who fought for freedom and reflect on the work still needed to achieve a society where everyone is truly free. Happy Juneteenth! #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #CelebrateFreedom #EqualityForAll

Recommended Viewing: Black, White & Us delves into the complexities of racism in America by following the journeys of four white families who adopt African American children. As these families navigate the challenges of raising children from different racial backgrounds, they confront their own deep-seated biases and strive to become advocates for racial equality. This documentary offers a powerful exploration of whether our country can bridge its racial divide. Through the lens of transracial adoptive families, viewers witness firsthand the systemic racism their children encounter daily, shedding light on the urgent need for societal change. For additional recommended viewings, please visit bit.ly/3w92EfO #blackwhitus #adoption #mixfamily #racialdivide #transracial #transracialfamilies #utah #constitution #race #racism #hbcu #civilrights #civilrightsmovement #educate2endhate #jtmfoundation #educateyourself #scholarship #education

Recommended Viewing: Black, White & Us delves into the complexities of racism in America by following the journeys of four white families who adopt African American children. As these families navigate the challenges of raising children from different racial backgrounds, they confront their own deep-seated biases and strive to become advocates for racial equality. This documentary offers a powerful exploration of whether our country can bridge its racial divide. Through the lens of transracial adoptive families, viewers witness firsthand the systemic racism their children encounter daily, shedding light on the urgent need for societal change. For additional recommended viewings, please visit bit.ly/3w92EfO #blackwhitus #adoption #mixfamily #racialdivide #transracial #transracialfamilies #utah #constitution #race #racism #hbcu #civilrights #civilrightsmovement #educate2endhate #jtmfoundation #educateyourself #scholarship #education

🎉🎊 Happy Juneteenth from all of us at the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI)! 🎊🎉 Today, we join in commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrating the resilience, strength, and contributions of Black communities across the nation. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, marks the day—June 19th, 1865—when news of emancipation reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice, equality, and freedom. At CJI, we are committed to advancing racial equity and dismantling systems of oppression within the criminal justice system. We recognize that the fight for justice is inseparable from the fight for racial justice, and we remain dedicated to centering the voices and experiences of communities disproportionately impacted by mass incarceration and systemic racism. #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #EmancipationDay #RacialEquity #JusticeForAll

🇸🇪 Sweden: The Criminalisation of Black Disability and Ableist Racism (Post 2) Things are clearly not working for the most marginalised people amongst us. How many times do we have to say this? Black disabled people are hardly given space at the DEI table so are we really surprised this has been happening to Emmanuel since 2019? The world was too busy praising Sweden and other Nordic countries for their advanced white feminism. ❌ Superficial corporate DEI is not working! ❌ Undisturbed racism that is NOT talked about is not working! ❌ Organisations pretending to care and giving focus to gender, PRIDE, disability and mental health while racism is safely embedded into society's structures is not working! ❌ This is happening in institutions that are supposed to care for human health and supported by the laws created by and to only protect one group of people primarily! The focus on white feminism whilst neglecting the rest of us is racist! What are those in positions of privilege going to do to help Emmanuel and how has this abuse and injustice gone on since 2019? Sweden!!!!! 🤷🏾♀️ Video credit: Emmanuel Fru #Racism #AbleistRacism #AntiBlackness #DiversityEquityInclusion

Audre Lorde reminds us that all oppressions are interlocking and we need to address them intersectionally because we are impacted either directly or indirectly by multiple systems of oppression. It's important that we get to bring our whole selves every where we go and that means addressing oppression intersectionally. #DanceForAllAbilities #RepresentationMatters #DisabilityJustice #BlackDisability #DisabilityCommunity #DisabilityInclusion #BlackAndDisabled #DisabilityPride #Ableism #Accessibility . . . [Image Description: At the top of of the image is a black and white photo of Audre Lorde, a black woman with a short loose afro and blouse. The image is set on a white polaroid border. Below there is a white quotation mark above a quote in black text, "THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SINGLE-ISSUE STRUGGLE BECAUSE WE DO NOT LIVE SINGLE-ISSUE LIVES. -Audre Lorde" There is a rainbow beneath the quote in the colors of purple, blue, and white. The image is set on a peach background.] Transcript: The image on this slide is Audre Lorde, a dark skinned black woman with a loose blouse and afro. The photo is black and white. The quote here says, "There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives."

🌟 Honoring Juneteenth and Addressing Disparities 🌟 As we commemorate Juneteenth, a day of immense historical significance, PAAR stands in solidarity with our African American community. We recognize that the fight for freedom, equality, and justice extends to all aspects of life, including addressing the disproportionate impact of sexual violence on black survivors. Juneteenth represents the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, marking a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that systemic racism and its interconnections persist, contributing to the disparities faced by black individuals, including survivors of sexual violence. Studies have shown that black survivors disproportionately experience sexual violence, often facing unique challenges when seeking support and justice. At PAAR, we are committed to amplifying their voices, advocating for their rights, and providing a safe space where healing and empowerment can occur. We encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the intersection of racial injustice and sexual violence. Let us use this Juneteenth as an opportunity to deepen our understanding, have difficult conversations, and support survivors in their healing journeys. Together, we can work towards dismantling systems of oppression and creating a more inclusive and equitable society. #Juneteenth #PAAR #BlackLivesMatter #SexualViolenceAwareness #Empowerment #Equality #Justice #Healing #Support #Inclusion

The United States' history of enslavement, segregation, economic injustice, and institutional racism contributes to an overrepresentation of African Americans in the #childwelfare system, and it likely also contributes to the larger percentage of Black children in informal grandfamilies. Use this tip sheet and #toolkit from Generations United as reference tools to improve culturally responsive services for Black #kinship families and #grandfamilies. https://buff.ly/42cwA6H

“Building solidarity for our collective futures requires a rethinking of how we relate. It requires looking to the land, to our elders, and to one another for guidance. But this will not be easy. As queer Black feminist Audre Lorde reminds us, ‘any future vision which can encompass all of us, by definition, must be complex and expanding, not easy to achieve.’ When I consider expansion, I think about how we must constantly reevaluate, bring in new ideas and people, and find new ways to relate. Perhaps it will build on Black and Indigenous radical traditions; it might also require creating and developing new traditions. We should never be afraid to create new ideas of self, culture, identity. I propose we consider kinship as solidarity. For example, what if First Nations, in Canada and the United States, in exercising sovereignty, began incorporating Black people into their nations using our clan systems? We can quibble about resources, practicality, and so on, but what better way to build kinship than to expand our web of responsibility?” —Kyle T. Mays To read Kinship as Solidarity and Accountability” in full, click here: https://lnkd.in/ggs7-Yht Kyle T. Mays is an Afro-Indigenous (Saginaw Chippewa) writer and scholar of US history, urban studies, race relations, and contemporary popular culture. He is an Associate Professor of African American Studies, American Indian Studies, and History at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). This essay is a response to our Question series, “How do we come together in a changing world?” curated by Editorial Fellows Kailea Frederick and Kate Weiner of Loam. This publication was produced with generous finding support from our partners at the Kalliopeia Foundation. #solidarity #elders #Indigenous #kinship #sovereignty #AfroIndigenous

As we commemorate Juneteenth, the day marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865, we reflect on its significance and the ongoing journey toward true equality and justice. Understanding our history is crucial to building an inclusive and equitable future. Juneteenth is a reminder of the resilience and contributions of Black communities and a call to action for all of us to foster an environment where everyone can thrive. If you are a part of the Black community, we hope today is filled with peace, hope and inspiration for you. For everyone else, here are actions and resources to support this important work: 1. Educate Yourself and Others:   - Books: “The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander, "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi, "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson.   - Podcasts: "1619" by The New York Times, "Code Switch" by NPR   - Websites: Equal Justice Initiative, NAACP and BLACK LIVES MATTER 2. Support Black-Owned Businesses and Initiatives:   - Utilize platforms like WeBuyBlack, Official Black Wall Street and buy from National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) businesses: https://lnkd.in/eXuT8-Xw   - Donate to organizations working towards racial justice, such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Color of Change, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. 3. Advocate for Change Within Your Organization: - Establish or support Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) focused on racial equity. You can and should join ERGs that do NOT reflect your identity so you can learn, support and connect with people who don’t look like you.    - Advocate for transparent hiring, promotion, and pay equity practices.  - Encourage your company to conduct regular DEI training 4. Amplify Black Voices:   - Listen actively and give space for Black colleagues to share their experiences and perspectives. - Recognize the efforts of your black colleagues and recommend them to represent your company at conferences, panels, and other visible events.   - Share content from Black creators and thought leaders on your social media platforms. 5. Engage in Community Action:   - Volunteer with organizations that support racial justice and community development and/or provide support: one that we support at Wet Cement is Covenant House International, which helps unhoused youth find a safe place, food, resources and hope. Together, we can make a difference and pave the way for a more inclusive and just society. Happy Juneteenth from all of us at Wet Cement! #Juneteenth #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #BlackHistory #Freedom #WetCement #Allyship #SupportBlackBusiness