Our Statement on Antiracism
Black lives matter.
Collective grief. Collective anger. Collective longing for justice.
The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and countless others are rooted in historical and ongoing racism, white supremacy, inequity, and systemic oppression.
We need collective action.
At Peace in Schools, we are committed to antiracism and social justice in every facet of our organization. To borrow the title of Rhonda V. Magee’s powerful book, we are committed to The Inner Work of Racial Justice, as well as larger structural change.
Mindfulness, when taught as being inseparable from social justice, can give rise to healing, compassion, empathy, altruism, healthy relationships, and a wise heart. It can create empowered schools and communities within which students can thrive and experience safety and true belonging with one another. We are dedicated to realizing this vision for all, and in particular, for Black, brown, and Indigenous communities.
Racial equity and social justice are central to our core values. And, as a white-founded organization, we have much more learning and growing to do. Our work and commitment will not go away when the current protests die down.
There are many ways to participate in antiracism. Here are a few of the teachers we have worked with and learned from directly:
Sonali Sangeeta Balajee
Yee Won Chong
Michelle Johnson
Dr. Sará King
Kerri Kelly
Tuere Sala
Kalissa Scopes
Rev. angel Kyodo williams
As well as other teachers whose work has deeply impacted us:
Ruth King
Konda Mason
Rhonda V. Magee
Lama Rod Owens
Justin Michael Williams
This is only the beginning of a long list of teachers who are using mindfulness and social justice in powerful ways. We encourage you to support their work, learn from them, and share them widely!
Finally, here are some additional ways to stand in solidarity, compiled by our friends at Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBme):
1. Support local Black-led organizations by donating and getting involved for the long term. Below are some orgs that are on the front lines right now.
- @BlackVisions and @ReclaimtheBlock are leading and supporting organizing in Minneapolis, as people are on the streets demanding justice for George Floyd. (https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/ and https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/)
- The Just Georgia Coalition is fighting for justice for Ahmaud Arbery. (https://www.just-georgia.org/)
- The Louisville Community Bail Fund is bailing out protesters that are demanding justice for Breonna Taylor. (https://actionnetwork.org/f…/louisville-community-bail-fund/)
- The Tallahassee Community Action Committee is organizing to demand justice for Tony McDade. (@tallycac)
- Find your local bail fund here at the National Bail Fund Network. (https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory)
2. Get involved with the Movement for Black Lives to support and uplift national demands to #defundpolice and defend Black life. (https://m4bl.org/)
3. We are in the midst of a pandemic, and protesting is a personal decision. This is a great resource on 26 ways to be in the struggle beyond the streets. https://issuu.com/nlc.sf.2014/docs/beyondthestreets_final
In love and solidarity,
—Peace in Schools