Sunday, August 9, 2020

Craftivism & What Racial Equity Looks Like to Me

I am working to integrate my activism with my craft (pottery) = craftivism. In Knapsack meetings, we are Crafting Together for Racial Justice and Writing Out, Speaking Up

This is my "craftivism" response to the writing prompt: What does racial equity look like to you? 

It is important that we have goals. That we take time to imagine what the end result we want looks like.

"The difference between equality and equity must be emphasised. Although both promote fairness, equality achieves this through treating everyone the same regardless of need, while equity achieves this through treating people differently dependent on need." Mar 29, 2019 Equality and Equity :: Social Change

I am putting some of my thoughts (words) into my pottery:

"A life affirming future for all" 
is my initial response to the question of what racial equity looks like to me. 
I learned that was a goal at a BLM Cambridge meeting years ago. 

Makes sense to me!



A Healthy Community (vase)

A healthy community meets 
at a common center, 
coming together 
even though groups and individuals might be separate.
A healthy community includes 
diverse groups of people 
balancing together to hold each other up. 
Needing each other. 
Supporting each other.


A healthy community uplifts 
sensitivity and femininity 
not the patriarchy. 

Systems support everyone,
and all are equal.
Everyone has diversity in their friends;
even strangers are treated like friends. 


Everyone is respected
and valued
even when mistakes are made.
I want racial equity!


"I see you" (bowl):


We have huge hurtles to get to a place of racial equity due to the everyday reality of white supremacy, historical trauma from slavery, Jim Crows laws, lynching, and the colonization of indigenous land and the attempted genocide of indigenous peoples. We can't get around these serious issues; there are so many challenges. We can't erase or ignore them. We have to recognize and take responsibility. We need to take ownership of our advantages (if we are white). Change the narrative. Change how history is taught. And we need to confront the systems that don't support racial equity. 

I want to continue to push myself to visualize this "so far from reality" ideal of racial equity. What could it look like if we got past the hurtles? 

I do not want to describe this ideal world in "not" comparisons, for example: having a potential leader of the country who would not be accused of being born outside this country just because his name and color frightened others. 

I want to use positive language in this worthy and positive goal: 

Everyone is seen as unique and valued. Power is shared by all genders. Gender is more than binary. All sexual preferences are valued and understood. Since everyone has disabilities, the abilities of everyone are utilized and treasured. We use trade and mutual aid, so currency is rarely needed. Instead of prisons and police, there is transformative justice and active bystandership. Those struggling with mental health are cared for without incarceration.

I will think about this more. This work is not done. 



Finding Compassion in our hearts is a good first step to reach these goals.


We call for an end to racial and cultural inequity and injustice. We call for: 
 
I. The support, recognition, and prioritization of the leadership of Black people, Indigenous peoples, and people of color (BIPOC).
II. The reversal of long-term inequities in funding, hiring, and resources in the arts and culture sector.
III. Investment in arts and cultural ecosystems for BIPOC.
IV. Investment in building healthy communities through centering cultural and racial equity.
V. Accountability, commitment, and integrity in the pursuit of cultural and racial justice.