As a community, we mourn.
We mourn the senseless and tragic death of Daunte Wright at the hands of police. His life is yet another loss in the community where we live and work. We join in grief, anger, frustration and fear at the pattern of systemic racism that has stolen lives.
We have also witnessed an alarming and related increase in Anti-Asian hate crimes.
This pattern of collective trauma takes its toll, particularly for BIPOC and AAPI communities. We pause to process and grieve. There are resources that can help.
Reflecting on systems change
As changemakers, we have work to do.
The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last summer became a tipping point in the conversation of racial inequities here in our community and around the world. And while there has been renewed focus on actions that can address systems change, there is a lot that needs to happen before we see true change at a community level.
We believe the role of communications is essential in shifting the narrative and reforming systems built on racism that are still in place today.
Our work in empathy with the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding has taught us the impact of communities coming together to deepen connections, align values and share resources for lasting, positive change.
Related: The challenges of social justice are multi-layered and systems-level. They must be addressed as such.
Tools for transformative action
Transformative work for social justice is vitally important and urgent. It requires changemakers to work together to create a more positive future for everyone. New tools are emerging every day to support this effort on team, community and industry scales.
Tools for your organization: Racial DeckEquity is a card deck developed in 2020 by service designer Alex Schexnider to help operationalize racial justice, diversity, equity and inclusion in your organization. The cards provide suggestions and tips to improve departments including communications and development, finance, IT, data, and metrics and innovation.
Tools for your community: The Racial equity resource directory from Wilder Research and the Bush Foundation is a searchable directory of racial equity programs and providers to combat racism and increase cultural competence.
Tools for market systems change: FSG has developed A Practitioner’s Guide to Supporting Market Systems Change toward inclusion and equity.
Related: Racism is a public health crisis. We can start by reframing the narrative.
Changemakers advancing this work
We support and partner with leaders who are already leading this work in our community and around the world. The Penumbra Center for Racial Healing is a dynamic performing arts, retreat and learning center developing new work, ideas and sustainable strategies for social change led and generated by artists.
Related: Black changemakers are leading systems change in health, sustainability, community and empathy.
A renewed commitment
As we continue to engage in this work, Mindsailing renews our commitment to working alongside BIPOC and AAPI communities to critically examine systemic patterns of injustice and racism, build communications that support positive transformation and create a more equitable future together.