Read on Twitter
Indigenous fam. Imma give you some concrete things you can do to address Anti-Black racism in our community. I wavered on this, but if it helps prevent more pain, I’ll expend some labour.
This one seems the most simple. Speak out against it. Call it when you see it. Your friends, families, dare I say elders, community. It seems simple, but most people do not do it.
Don’t expose Black people to experts, elders, artists who aren’t with the program. Listen to Afro-Indigenous people when they say that so and so has caused harm.
Stop centering yourself. Chances are people know you’re Indigenous, we don’t need to say NativesforBlackLives or whatever the hashtag is. ESPECIALLY if this is your first time speaking out.
Don’t support people who participate in anti-Black racism. I’m looking at you Kent Monkman fans. You shouting BLM is looking pretty shady right now.
Amplify Black/Afro-Indigenous voices.
Make spaces safe for Black people. Ceremony, Powwows, Friendship Centers, Student centres, classes, committees. Ask these places what they are doing to ensure Afro-Indigenous people feel safe.
Take a look at speakers list, panels, writers, podcast guests . If you are not regularly including Afro-Indigenous people, why? I can guarantee you that we are around and have expertise in whatever the topic.
Don’t “redwash” Afro-Indigenous people in your art. Don’t support people who do. Or better yet, support Afro-Indigenous artists, singers, dancers.
Understand that all the shit issues, racism, poverty, cops, government, Afro-Indigenous people get to experience that through two lenses.
We also get to experience joys through two lenses, but it’s been a traumatic fucking year so far.
We also get to experience joys through two lenses, but it’s been a traumatic fucking year so far.
Piss off with that blood quantum bullshit. And recognize that many Afro-Indigenous people were/are rejected, unenrolled, pushed away from their nations and communities.
And yes, many of us are reconnecting or “urban” just like many white or brown natives are reconnecting or “urban” and don’t and use “urban” as a dogwhistle.
Please check in on us. We are not okay, please offer an ear, keep us in your prayers, include us in healing ceremony, befriend us, distract us, love us, because we are your relations.
Anyhow, this is all I have for now. Please feel free to add, I did write this before fully awake, so forgive the usual typos and grammatical errors.
