What happened to George Floyd and the many other Black men and women who have shared his fate is gut-wrenching. The incidents caught on video are only a sliver of what the Black community is enduring every day across this country. The sense of helplessness can easily flood in and stutter me to inaction. What can I do? What can I say? Will I say the wrong thing? How can I make a change?
I am white and I will never, ever begin to understand what it is like to be Black. I grew up with the veil of white privilege guiding me through life and it remains today. I recognize things were easier because I was white; it’s not fair and I can’t be complacent any longer.
This week is a week of education, inquiring within and outside about why things are the way they are in our nation. How the cards were stacked against some from the start. And how the protests of the last week are not only about these recent events but rather built-up anger from centuries of oppression with a system rigged against some while a clear path was built for others.
We didn’t discuss racial injustice very much in my house growing up. Instead it was a quick discussion after history class about slavery and that was that. Aside from “be polite” and “respect authority,” we didn’t talk about what to do when you’re pulled over by a police officer. In my white suburban neighborhood, I frankly didn’t ever stop to think about what it might be like to be Black. I listened to music from Black culture. Slang we used and clothing styles we wore were influenced by Black culture. But I never stopped to think who created these songs or sayings. I never stopped to think about what their journey in life might be like.. beyond the music and the terminology we used.
White households need to have deeper, broader, and more meaningful discussions around the systemic racism and oppression in this country; its history - past and present - and what they can do to make a tangible difference as they grow up into this world. I don’t have all the answers but I believe in humankind and our power for empathy and compassion.
I can’t rewind time, but I can try to make change today and into the future. Please join me in taking time to educate yourself on these issues, fight for what’s right, and do our part to make an impact. Doughp is a brand built deeply on compassion. As we say, we’re “here to make the world a little sweeter, one scoop at a time.” Our commitment to that mission has not wavered.
Today, Doughp will be making a donation to three nonprofits supporting the Black community. First, a nonprofit that addresses the injustice in our legal system. Followed by two nonprofits supporting mental health care for Black men and women.
If you planned to purchase from Doughp this week, I encourage you to please take that money and donate to one of those organizations with us, or one of your choice that directly supports Black lives. If you still plan on making a purchase, know that Doughp will also donate $5 from each purchase made through June 7th.
Our support can’t stop with this one week. It can’t be one big hoorah, then silence. In an effort to continue our support into the future, Doughp is going to be joining the Black community in honoring and celebrating Black holidays that we’ve otherwise been quiet on. We will be making additional donations to the nonprofits above and others involved in the fight for equal rights. We are also taking a hard look into our culture and practices as a business to ensure anti-racism work is happening within our company, too.
To the Black community, I will never know your pain. But know that I see you, I hear you, and I’m committed to doing whatever I can to support you.
With love and respect,
Kelsey
Doughp Founder
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I wanted to also take this chance to share some valuable resources for you from a list compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein in May 2020.
Resources for white parents to raise anti-racist children:
Articles to read:
Videos to watch:
Podcasts to subscribe to:
Books to read:
Films and TV series to watch:
Organizations to follow on social media:
More anti-racism resources to check out:
