We live in a society that is structurally and systemically racist. I commit to using my privilege as a white cis-gendered woman to contribute to the dismantling of these structures in my professional and personal lives.
Those of us who are privileged not to experience this racism firsthand must believe the stories of those who do.
Here are the things that I have been doing and will continue to do in my anti-racism work:
donating all royalties from patterns with Quince & Co. to Seed Commons
donating all proceeds from sales of the Peace de Resistance mittens to charities for the purpose of working on larger, underlying structural issues such as systemic inequality, reparations, support for business and job creation in marginalized communities, and reproductive health care options worldwide; please see pattern page for a list of previously selected charities
using social media to amplify and support petitions, fundraisers, and voices that further the cause of justice and equity
buying from and working with businesses owned by members of the global majority*
refusing to participate in events and projects where the diversity of the knitting community isn’t represented
working with a consultant to better ensure that my values and emphasis on diversity and inclusion is forefront in my continuing work
volunteering as a peacekeeper at rallies, to de-escalate counterprotestors and police and help create a safe space for protest and expression
volunteering for political campaigns that further the movement towards justice and equity
writing and speaking to representatives at all levels of government
speaking out within personal relationships
continuing and recommitting to my ongoing anti-racism education
This is by no means an exhaustive list of actions and I am open to feedback and suggestions if you feel that there is something more I could be doing for your community. Please feel free to email at any time at bristol@bristolivy.com.
*I am consciously choosing the term “global majority” here to refer to Black, indigenous, people of color, and other communities often seen as marginalized within American society. To call them marginalized or people of color sets white Westerness as the norm, rather than the actual minority of the human population that it is. Here’s some great further reading about the term: