| June 4, 2020 Dear Ones, These are trying times for everyone, but none more than the people of color of this country, who have never achieved equality or justice though a light has been shined on that disparity so many times, before our lifetimes, and in our lifetimes. The responsibility for changing this is on us all, but most especially the white person. We have the greatest responsibility to use our privilege to work toward a solution. I thank you all, so many of you literally on the front lines, and those who are finding other ways to “show up” during these times. It is very difficult trying to navigate this all during the pandemic already in progress, and hardly over. But this is indeed two pandemics now and they do need to be addressed. Below, we have gathered the most comprehensive list we could find about how to help in all those various ways, face to face, and in isolation, but still connected. It is critical now that we not judge our internal responses, but learn from them and one another. There is a lot on our hearts, minds, and souls, competing, compelling expectations. Try to be gentle with one another if at all possible. As a person reminded me about the Buddhist principle of looking up on other people and situations right now with “soft eyes” first. That is part of my daily prayer now. As are all of you. Faithfully, Bishop Greg Rickel |
| Bishop Rickel’s Reflections from May 30 http://www.bishoprickel.com/blog/the-value-of-a-black-mans-life-in-this-country Dean Thomason’s Statement from May 30 https://saintmarks.org/2020/05/dean-thomason-racial-violence-and-gods-call-to-a-new-normal/ Presiding Bishop Curry’s Statement on President Trump’s Use of a Church Building and the Holy Bible https://episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/statement-presiding-bishop-michael-b-curry-president-donald-trumps-use-church Presiding Bishop Curry’s Interview on MSNBC on President Trump’s Use of a Church Building and the Holy Bible https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/episcopal-bishop-cites-christian-gospel-in-criticism-of-trump-84274757611 Bishop Budde’s Response to President Trump https://www.edow.org/about/bishop-mariann/writings/2020/06/01/bishop-marianns-response-president-trump Black Lives Matter Seattle – King County https://blacklivesseattle.org/ Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County is a grassroots, volunteer-run, social-justice nonprofit organization focused on the empowerment and liberation of Blacks and other people of color through advocacy and direct action. BLM Seattle centers leadership on Black femmes, women, and queer people organizing and taking direct action to dismantle anti-black systems and policies of oppression. Donate to the Black Lives Matter Seattle Freedom Fund https://blacklivesseattle.org/bail-fund/ In these trying times, we understand the urgent need to be in the streets and Black, Indigenous, and people of color are going to be disproportionately arrested and held on bail. Cash bail is an inhumane system built to unfairly limit the freedom of those without financial/class privilege. The funds collected through this fund will go to the immediate release of people protesting the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Manuel Ellis (May 2020). Any remaining funds will continue to be used for future bailout efforts as an ongoing community bail fund project. Local Protesters Donate to a local protester who is documenting the protests on social media. Many are also providing medical supplies to protesters and have a Venmo page. Black Lives Matter Resource Page https://blacklivesmatter.com/resources/ Donate to the Northwest Community Bail Fund (NCBF) https://www.nwcombailfund.org/ The Northwest Community Bail Fund (NCBF) provides cash bail for marginalized people charged with crimes who are unable to afford bail and find themselves incarcerated while awaiting routine court appearances in King and Snohomish Counties in Washington State. Seattle Indivisible – Daily Actions https://www.seattleindivisible.com/daily-actions “Confronting Racism – Working for Change” – Resources from Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle https://saintmarks.org/2020/06/recognizing-racism-working-for-change/ “How to Support Protesters from Home” – PC Mag https://www.pcmag.com/news/how-to-support-protesters-from-home “George Floyd Protests: How You Can Help, Donate, and Learn” – Innocence Mission https://www.innocenceproject.org/how-to-help-justice-george-floyd/ Help Supply the Puget Sound Medic Collective https://pugetsoundmediccollective.noblogs.org/https://www.facebook.com/PSmedics/ We are a group of healthcare workers and educators from a variety of backgrounds, all united to provide inclusive healthcare support for direct action regarding social, economic, healthcare, and environmental injustices. We provide first-aid support, de-escalation, and solidarity for such events. (Puget Sound Medic Collective) “Where You Can Donate to Support Seattle’s George Floyd Protesters” – The Seattle Met https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2020/06/where-you-can-donate-to-support-seattle-s-george-floyd-protesters “How to help Black Lives Matter: 9 things you can do for the George Floyd protesters right now” – Fast Company https://www.fastcompany.com/90511515/how-to-help-black-lives-matter-9-things-you-can-do-for-the-george-floyd-protesters-right-now “5 ways to support Black Lives Matter protesters—even if you can’t join a protest” – Fast Company https://www.fastcompany.com/90512176/5-ways-to-support-black-lives-matter-protesters-even-if-you-cant-join-a-protest “6 Ways To Help Feed And Support Black Lives Matter Protestors” – Delish https://www.delish.com/food-news/a32758005/support-black-lives-matter-protestors-with-food-supplies/ “George Floyd Protests: How to Help, Where to Donate” – The Cut https://www.thecut.com/article/george-floyd-protests-how-to-help-where-to-donate.html If you have additional resources you would like to share, please send them to communications@ecww.org. |