Let's stand.
Hi everyone, Ash here
We hope you are well.
Usually, in our mid-week email, we discuss ways to strengthen your mental health by sharing our own mental wellbeing journey. However, like most of you, we have had a wake-up call this week. A realisation that we haven't been doing enough to help put an end to the injustice faced by Black people all over the world. Sam and I promise to do better.
Lots of recommendations are on social media as to how you can educate yourself on black history, the civil rights movement and racism. If you haven't seen these recommendations then please see the list below (we know there are many more but have recommended the most common suggestions we have seen) -
Books to read -
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F.Saad
Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Movies/Shows to watch -
13th (on Netflix)
When They See Us (on Netflix)
Selma
If Beale Street Could Talk
We also encourage you to follow Black voices on Instagram and seek out information through articles and podcasts. Please share recommendations with us and we will share with the community.
I know I can do better.
I love documentaries. Why hadn't I watched 13th? (I watched it on Monday and was floored).
I've been saying for ages that I wanted to watch When They See Us. Why hadn't I, then?
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings has been sat in my pile of books to read in my bedroom for 2 years. 2 years! Why hadn't I read it yet? (I'm starting it today).
On holiday last year my friend Jake was reading Why I'm No Longer Speaking To White People About Race and was telling me a lot about what he was reading. I was shocked and interested. Why didn't I ask to borrow it from him? (I have now).
These are questions I'm asking myself, even though I feel uncomfortable about it. I have always said I care about people, all people! Why haven't I done more to help? I don't have the answer to that, but I promise I am going to do more. I am going to learn. I am going to ask more questions. I will research. I will show how much I care. I will not sit in silence.
Sam and I stand.
If you were in our Beyonce and Rihanna class today you will know that we have donated £1 for every person who was at the class to Black Lives Matters. If you are in a position to, please donate and sign petitions.
We have always said that we are a community that looks after each other. We have always said that SMASH is special because of our diversity. Kindness, care, love, positivity and respect are all words associated with our wonderful wellbeing family.
Let's stand.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
Sam and Ash
