It’s in the spotlight folks: we can’t achieve justice for one without justice for all.
We at Tease Industries HQ want to clearly state our solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, the calls for police accountability ringing out across the world, and acknowledge the struggle communities of colour continue to endure under the weight of systematic racism. The tragic losses of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others across the world including on Australian soil, have been compounded by a global pandemic that has disproportionately devastated communities of colour.
This is a state of emergency and demands a response not just in words, but in swift and continued action.
We acknowledge that our Arts community is critical to the work of dismantling oppression. As an organization, we’re working to develop how we can all be better allies and stewards. Internally, we recognize that, while we’ve taken lengths to ensure we are steered by diverse voices, our small team is comprised of white women. We’ve committed to doing our own work to better educate ourselves and our families on our role in the work that must be done now.
To industry leaders: this is not the time for empty words; it is the time for radical support. Step outside of the standard ethos and do the hard work of accommodating those who may be grieving and emotionally exhausted from the continued threat to their existence. The future has and always will be founded in a strive toward equity — show up in this way today.
We recognize that we have not been perfect allies, that we have more work to do, and that we must vigilantly address systemic racism as it shows up in our community spaces, in our organizational ethos, and in ourselves. We are committed to fighting for sustained change. As keepers of space, we cannot continue to simply be open to all but must begin to diligently invite people of colour into the spaces that we create and to shape those spaces in response to your needs. We are deeply grateful to each of you that has helped inform us and we will continue to invest in developing these relationships.
With all that said, we know that many are unsure where to start or how best to devote their time. Here are some easy ways to show up now, from wherever you are in your journey:
- Read up and take action with some Australian resources
- Read up and take action with some American resources
- Pick 5 actions from this list of 75 things White People can Do for Racial Justice and complete them with your friends and family.
- Talk to your family and friends about racial justice. Here are some examples of where to start.
- Learn about how to be a better co-worker to your Black and Brown colleagues right now.
- Check out this free anti-racism packet, compiled by Jasmine Mitchell.
- If you don’t have money to donate, search “Black Lives Matter donate playlist” on YouTube and let it run in the background of your day, the ads donate.
Stand up, speak up, and take action.
And when you do, do it from a place of kindness and compassion.
With love,
The Sugar Duchess / Jessica Anne Gough – Director