“If you believe in a cause, be willing to stand up for that cause with a million people or by yourself.” ― Otis S. Johnson
We are vocally taking a stand against white supremacy, racism, and white privilege. We are educating ourselves to make us better advocates, to recognize and acknowledge systemic racism and white privilege. These issues exist in every sector, the law included. We will fight for equality, social change, and justice. We will do better. We will stand by you. One step, one action, towards a better future. The luxury of silence is over.
Founding Partner Anna Byrne started the firm with the goal of hiring people of different colors and ethnicities. “I have always been looking for and seeking ways to help lift those that might not have access to what I have had, whether through hiring, volunteering, choosing where to live, and where to open a business. I seek out and work with other professionals and diversity is a mindful part of that selection process. Walking the talk is very important to me and I would not tolerate anything else.”
We hope the following resources begin an educational foundation to set you in the right direction, to fight with us. This may just be a start, but we are committed to seeing it through, and invite you on our journey to a better world.
RESOURCE SUGGESTIONS BY TEAM MEMBER KRISTIN N.G. DZIALO:
Waking Up White – the “101” book for white people.
Movement for Black Lives – the umbrella organization, including for Black Lives Matters, that gives us daily/weekly actions.
Showing Up For Racial Justice – specifically for white people to learn and organize in ways that don’t further harm and exhaust people of color.
From Privilege to Progress – the national movement to desegregate the conversation about race.
The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge – a FABULOUS tool designed to push a person quickly up the learning and acting curve.
BOOK SUGGESTIONS BY TEAM MEMBER NOAH EVANS:
“The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,” by Michelle Alexander.
“Between the World and Me,” a letter by a Black man to his teenage son about what being Black symbolizes and means in America today. By Ta-Nehisi Coates.
ARTICLE SUGGESTIONS BY TEAM MEMBERS ANNA BYRNE AND NOAH EVANS:
Anna: “Former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe Shares Voice of Emerging Leader, Tessa Solomon” https://www.snoweleadershipinstitute.org/understanding/
Anna: Commit to the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge https://www.eddiemoorejr.com/21daychallenge
Noah: “Walking While Black – Garnette Cadogan on the Realities of Being Black in America” https://lithub.com/walking-while-black/
Team member Audrey Gardner has been attending Black Lives Matter vigils in Watertown, MA with her family. Her recent pictures reflect some harsh truths and community responses – when someone tried to wash out the word “Black” from Black Lives Matter, and George Floyd’s name, other members stepped in to re-apply chalk. No community is immune to racism. To find out more information about how you can get involved, visit https://watertowncitizens.org/working-groups/watertown-for-black-lives/
or
https://blacklivesmatter.com/chapters/
