Solidarity, respect and gratitude

In solidarity with the protestors fighting for justice allover the US, and around the world, we decided not to send out a newsletter, as scheduled at the start of the week, or to share anything promoting our business on social media this week. This week was a time for reflection and action. 

To our Black and BIPOC customers, we see your pain, and your exhaustion, and we hope that you’re able to find rest, community and love.

Black lives matter. Black queer lives matter. Black trans lives matter.>

On Monday, we began by donating all of our online sales over the weekend to Black Visions Collective, a Black-led, queer and trans centring organisation that is on the ground in Minnesota. This week, we'll be donating 20% of all sales to them. For the rest of June, we'll choose a different organisation to donate to each week, focusing on smaller, queer and BIPOC led groups. If you weren't otherwise planning to make a purchase we’d like to encourage you to donate directly, if you can.

If you’re white, we’d also like to encourage you to begin, or continue, digging into the deep, challenging, and ongoing work of anti-racism. We too will be looking for direct actions we can take with the resources we have and ask that you join us in this. Whether that’s joining a protest, donating to organisations, community action groups and bail funds, contacting your elected officials, shopping from Black owned business, or signing petitions, to name a few, now is a time for action. If you’re not sure where to start we’d recommend the work of Layla F. SaadRachel Cargle, Nikole Hannah-JonesIjeoma Oluo and Reni Eddo-Lodge. We are grateful for the readily available resources, accessible to varying income levels, that they have worked to provide. Remember to respect their time and spaces, and to do your own work and research. Wherever possible, financially support that labour too. 

We will be back on Monday 8th June with a newsletter focused on updates. This will not be a return to “normal”, which should not be the goal when so much change is required. We will continue with this necessary work.

We wish each of you sanctuary and safety this weekend.