Black Lives Matter
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| Photo: Maria Oswalt/Unsplash |
By Zazie Todd, PhD
There seems to be only one thing to say this week: Black Lives Matter.
The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others are the result of systemic racism that has deep historical roots. It cannot be allowed to continue. We need to see justice for their families and we need changes in society to prevent it from ever happening again.
I’m writing this from Canada, but racism exists in Canada too.
If you want to donate, you can help the family of Regis Korchinski Paquet in Toronto. The official fundraiser for George Floyd’s family is here.
You can also support the civil rights work being done by the NAACP in the US. And there are many Black organizations and bail funds to which you can donate if you want to support people in your local community. The Georgia Straight has compiled a list of Black organizations and fundraisers in BC. There is also a COVID-19 Protest Relief Fund to help protestors who may contract COVID-19 because all of this is happening during a pandemic.
Many people have put helpful resources together, and I’ve seen this antiracism resource compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein shared many times in the last few days. Teen Vogue shows yet again that they are essential reading with this post by Zyahna Bryant on Beyond the hashtag: how to take anti-racist action in your life. And this piece on white privilege by Lori Lakin Hutcherson is moving and important.
I also want to recommend We Need Diverse Books, who have put together a list of resources for race, equity, anti-racism and inclusion.
This brutality isn’t just happening now, it is something that has been ongoing for a long, long time. This isn’t just a moment; it has to be a turning point. We need to build anti-racism into everything we do.
I will do my best. I’ve always tried to make Companion Animal Psychology a safe space for all, and will continue to do so. My inbox is always open if you need me.
Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, writes The Pawsitive Post premium newsletter, and also has a column at Psychology Today. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and two cats.
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