Originally posted on: 2014/11/25

By now you probably already know that Darren Wilson wasn’t indicted  yesterday, November 24th, 2014 for murdering unarmed Black youth Mike Brown on August 9th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ever since that day, folks around the world have been showing their support, as well as massive hatred, towards the Brown family. Today in Canada, there will be protests in Toronto & Vancouver as well as in Hamilton on December 1st. So what does this mean to us, mixed-race identified people? While I can’t speak on behalf of all mixed-race identified people, here are some thoughts that come to mind about how it affects us.

NON BLACK-MIXED FOLKS: Show your solidarity to your Black-mixed brothers, sisters & trans* siblings. Black and Indigenous folks (mixed-identified or not) face the most heinous forms of state-sanctioned violence around the world and here in Canada. Our struggle is your struggle, just as yours is ours, all oppression is connected. #IdleNoMore #BlackLivesMatter

FOLKS MIXED WITH WHITE: Calling out white supremacy does not mean that you don’t love your white family. If anything, seeing our friends and family as real people with flaws, is true love. We have all been raised in this system, we are all complicit. Let us remember that the revolution starts at home.

BLACK MIXED FOLKS: Make sure to take care of yourself and if you can, reach out to our brothers, sisters & trans* siblings. Take time for self care and care of the community. If you have felt rejected by the Black community in the past, please put that behind you today. It is not about our feelings but about solidarity to our kin alive today and those who came before us. We come from first people of the world, we are magical, we are important, and there is enough room for ALL of us under the infinite umbrella of Blackness. I’d also like to take this time to remind ourselves that all Black lives matter, particularly thinking of Islan Nettles (Black Trans Woman who was murdered in front of a Police station), Gizzy Fowler (Black Trans Woman who was killed on NOVEMBER 14th, 2014 – 11th TWoC this year), Renisha McBride (Black cis woman who was murdered for asking for help), & Marissa Alexander (Black cis woman who has spent an enormous amount of time in jail for self protection against her abusive cis male parter). Black cis and trans* women matter. Black (dis)abled folks matter. Black queer folks matter. #AllBlackLivesMatter

Ways you can show solidarity:

• Social media: Use your social media to show that you care using the hashtags: #BlackLivesMatter #justice4mikebrown Let’s break the Internet for something that matters.

• Support protesters: See what protesters need in your area need (food, water, blankets, candles et) and bring it if you can.

• Shield: Stand between protesters and the police & intervene if you see a protester being accosted

• Support each other: Send notes to each other to help lift spirits – we are hurting and need each other

• If you think of more, pls feel free to share in the comments!