Black Lives Matter
CKC President Jennifer Lindsay sent the following email to CKC Members and Friends to state unequivocally that Black Lives Matter and that CKC stands in solidarity with communities of color. On July 1, 2020, CKC revised its membership structure to be more inclusive, and we are continuing to center equity and inclusion in our plans for growth.
June 8, 2020
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dear CKC Members and Friends:
Black Lives Matter.
Today we extend our deepest condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the many other victims of senseless, violent, racial discrimination and police brutality in America. We stand in solidarity with our Black and Brown brothers and sisters, family members, friends, and colleagues, and with peaceful protestors across this nation, to demand an end to what Paul Butler has called the “opposite” system of justice in America for Black and Brown people. Institutionalized racism and the opportunistic racism of white people go hand in hand.
At CKC, we believe that “[t]he love of creating knows no boundaries” – that craft and the activity of making can heal and connect us in ways that uplift, empower, and ignite transformation and change. But to state this belief requires living into it more fully. We will work harder and do more to promote and support diversity in our organization, and to address the aspirations and concerns of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color as CKC makers, members, content creators, scholars, and leaders.
To all our members and friends – our goal is to innovate, to serve, and to inspire you. As we work to improve equity, access, and representation for CKC’s current and future online visitors, members, and leaders, we appreciate your continued support and invite your suggestions and feedback.
Below are some resources and opportunities for action against racism that CKC’s Board members have found helpful. We hope you will too. Stay healthy, stay kind, spread hope.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Lindsay
President
Center for Knit and Crochet
Self Help & Understanding:
Support Racial Equality & Justice:
Neighborhood Fiber Co. “NFC Momentum Fund” (from Ravelry)
Support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Fiber:
BIPOC in Fiber (a new professional directory by and for BIPOC makers and designers)
Jeanette Sloan, A Colourful Debate
Read and Reflect on Next Steps:
The Knight Foundation (on Digital Equity and Bridging the Digital Divide)
