“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor” – Desmond Tutu
In light of the several recent racist events (and in recognition to the countless unseen and ongoing struggles of black oppression), we are reminded that when we see injustice, it’s up to us to step up and demand change. Regardless of how limited our platform may feel, as just a small Canadian company that sells photography management software, it would be a disservice to our community and dishonest to our team’s morals not to acknowledge and speak up on the matter.
Sprout has always believed in growth. Helping you grow your photography business, grow as an entrepreneur, and grow long-term success. This time however, we’d like to reflect and focus on growth within ourselves–to educate, to listen, to think critically, to come together, and to do what’s right… as we have much to unlearn. We stand in solidarity with the fight against systemic oppression of the black community and while we do not know all the answers, we do have the ability to take action.
If you feel the same, here are some resources we have found helpful to do so:
IF YOU WANT TO WATCH
Films & TV Series:
- 13th – Ava DuVernay
- American Son – Kenny Leon
- Selma – Ava DuVernay
- When They See Us – Ava DuVernay
- Queen & Slim – Melina Matsoukas
- Dear White People – Justin Simien
- The Hate U Give – George Tillman Jr.
- See You Yesterday – Stefon Bristol
IF YOU WANT TO READ
Books & Novels:
- “Their Eyes Were Watching God” – By Zora Neale Hurston
- “Me And White Supremacy” – By Layla F. Saad
- “Heavy: An American Memoir” – By Kiese Laymon
- “I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness” – By Austin Channing Brown
- “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” – By Maya Angelou, foreword by Oprah Winfrey
- “Americanah” – By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- “Between the Word and Me” – By Ta-Nehisi Coates
- “The New Jim Crow” – By Michelle Alexander
- “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” – By Reni Eddo-Lodge
- “How to be Antiracist” – By Ibram X. Kendi
- “So You Want To Talk About Race” – Ijeoma Oluo
- “White Fragility” – By Robin DiAngelo, PHD
Highlighting Black Canadian journalists/activists and their books:
- “The Skin We’re In” – By Desmond Cole
- “Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present” – By Robyn Maynard
While we recognize that many of us have Audible and Amazon Prime for quick access to these books – it is always best to buy from an independent book store. A Different Booklist is a Black-owned independent bookstore in Toronto that offers free shipping in Canada.
IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN
Podcasts:
- Code Switch – NPR
- 1619 – New York Times
- Pod Save the People – Crooked Media
- The Diversity Gap – Bethaney Wilkinson
- Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast – Race Forward
IF YOU WANT TO TAKE ACTION
Sign Petitions & Make Calls:
- SIGN Justice for George Floyd on Change.org
- SIGN Charge All Four Officers on ColorOfChange.org
- SIGN Raise The Degree on WhiteHouse.gov
- SIGN Stand with Bre on StandWithBre.com
- SIGN Fight for Breonna on JusticeForBreonna.org
- SIGN I run with Ahmaud on Change.org
- SIGN Justice for Belly Mujinga on Change.org
- SIGN Reclaim the Block on ReclaimTheBlock.org
- SIGN Juneteeth as a National Holiday on NextGenAmerica.org
- TEXT Floyd to 55156
- TEXT Justice to 668366
- CALL the Minneapolis Mayor’s Office demanding for all 4 officers involved to be arrested (the number provided gives you instructions what to say)
- RESEARCH information and tips before protesting
- WRITE a message to your congressional representative (wherever you are in the world!)
IF YOU WANT TO GIVE
Donate to anti-racist and justice-driven organizations:
- Color Of Change – actively challenges corporate decision-makers and government officials to push for change
- National Bail Fund Network – pays bails/bonds while also fighting to abolish the money-bail system and pretrial detention
- Campaign Zero Project – deliberate action by policymakers at every level of government to end police violence
- NAACP – works to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
- Black Lives Matter – focuses on issues concerning racial injustice, police brutality, criminal justice reform, Black immigration, economic injustice, LGBTQIA+ and human rights, environmental injustice, access to healthcare, access to quality education, and voting rights and suppression.
- George Floyd Memorial Fund – funds directly supporting George Floyd’s family
- Center For Policing Equity – a policy plan for policing in America to reconstruct the system to prevent harm and lead with the truth
- Know You Rights Camp – provides resources for black and brown communities, including hiring defence attorneys for anyone arrested protesting police brutality
- Minnesota Freedom Fund – covers bail for jailed protestors
- Fair Fight – ensures fair elections and combats voter suppression
- Black AIDS Institute – develops programs that create awareness about the HIV crisis in Black communities, provides training to build capacity at the individual and community level, and mobilizes Black communities to advocate for themselves.
- Audre Lorde Project – is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color centre for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area.
- Committee To Protect Journalist – fights Press freedom violations worldwide
- The American Civil Liberties Union – provides legal assistance whenever civil liberties are at risk
- The Bail Project – covers bail to prevent incarceration and returns the funds at the end of a clients case
- Grassroots Law Project – works with activists, scholars, policy experts, and impacted families to craft a policy plan that will radically change the system and confront police brutality and mass incarceration head on
*Edit: The Minnesota Freedom Fund has received over 2 million dollars in donations and now is encouraging that you donate to other organizations
IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW
Accounts with influence, credibility, and knowledge (who need our support)
- @blklivesmatter | IG
- @shaunking | IG
- @grassrootslaw | IG
- @AntiracismCtr | T
- @eji_org | T
- @theconsciouskid | IG
- @colorlines | T
- @blackwomensBP | T
- @raicestexas | IG
- @UnitedWeDream | FB
- @SisterSong | FB
- @civilandhumanrights | FB
IF YOU WANT TO LEARN
- Authority Collective – has compiled a similar list to this one but with an emphasis on resources for safety and support with Photography/Journalism/Documentary
- Authority Collective – an important messaged directed to photographers and the ethics of photography
- Sunshine Behavior – a resource hub for mental health issues facing the Black Community
- Black Men Matter – a mental health guide that examines the historic and everyday issues that impede the quality of life among Black men
Please continue to read, share, ask, attend, voice, and document* (our duty as photographers). We are committed to carrying on the conversation here at Sprout. We are also committed to being mindful and responsible in the continuation of our social posts. We are a small business and the reason we have this platform to which we can speak on, relies heavily on showcasing our product. Moving forward, we promise do so with grace and vigilance, both on and offline. We hope you do the same.
Please comment below any further suggestions or recommendations.
Hero Image : Logan Weaver @lgnwvrphto
Complied Resources:
- Sarah Sophia Flicker& Alyssa Klein
- Good Good Good Company
- Official Millennial Black
- Obama Foundation
- Nikki Ogunnaike
Feel free to download and share the images below. Don’t stop, amplify your voice.
