The killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers has sparked collective outrage, and his name joins a long list of victims of racist policing and white supremacy: Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Emmett Till - the names trace a continuum of violence and oppression that dates back centuries. Bindlestiff Studio stands in solidarity with fellow Black artists and Black communities. We will listen, support, and amplify the Black voices within our communities. We support those working to end systems of oppression that create the conditions for these tragedies to repeat.
As Pilipinxs and Asian-Americans we may empathize with Black trauma (given our own experiences with colonization and ongoing prejudice - particularly amid coronavirus scapegoating), but we must actively challenge ourselves to examine the ways we fit within the contours of privilege and how we prop up the very racist structures we hope to dismantle. The fact that an Asian American was complicit in the murder of George Floyd cannot be ignored. The model minority myth has been used to divide Black and Asian communities, and we must work to dispel it.
Protesting is the most visible direct action, but we are still in the midst of a pandemic. There are various forms of activism to take. We encourage everyone to be safe while participating to uplift the voices of Black communities. Below is a compiled list of resources, petitions and calls for donations.
In honor of Breonna Taylor’s 27th birthday, June 5, please consider these 10 direct actions to bring justice for her and her family https://msha.ke/30flirtyfilm/
We join other AAPI organizations to commit to anti-racism and stand with the movement to demand that Black Lives Matter! APICC Statement of Solidarity: https://www.apiculturalcenter.org/statement_of_solidarity
Aureen B. Almario
Artistic Director
Oliver Saria
Managing Director
Ways to Contribute
Support Victims' Families
Donate to Organizations & Resources for Black Communities in Minneapolis
Black Visions Collective - Black, trans, and queer-led social justice organization
Reclaim the Block - grassroots organization fighting for violence prevention, housing, youth resources, and mental health response
Minnesota Freedom Fund - local organization helping bail out protestors
Coalition of Asian American Leaders in Minnesota
Unity & Solidarity for George Floyd - Individuals and organizations can sign on
Contribute to Bay Area Resources
Black Earth Farms - delivering free food to Black people who have been arrested, bailed, injured or traumatized during Oakland uprisings
SoOakland - Rebuilding Oakland Black Businesses
Support Black-owned Bay Area Restaurants
We recommend Cal Shakes list of resources
Things You Can Start Doing Now
Thank you to Leigh Rodon-Davis for sharing these actions.
1. Think before you reshare graphic videos of violence against Black people. While these images are important to raise awareness and show others the extremity of this brutality, you risk re-triggering or traumatizing Black and brown folx in your communities.
2. Take time to educate other non-Black folx and challenge anti-blackness and racism in your families and social networks. This labor should not fall on people of color who are living these experiences.
Read this next:https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/05/9841649/allyship-ahmaud-arbery-george-floyd
3. Participate in advocacy to support the victims and their families; do your due diligence and make sure the organization is actually donating to the proper parties (cough, cough Sh*un K*ng).
A useful tool: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0074-giving-charity
Black and Asian American Solidarity References & Resources
More Tools & Resources
Thank you to Theater Mu, Crowded Fire Theater, Theater Bay Area, Cal Shakes, APICC, and Leigh Rodan-Davis for these resources.