The tragic and senseless death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a horror gruesomely documented on video in unsparing but necessary detail, is an indelible stain on our national character, an enduring shame shared by us all, and a troubling glimpse of the darker image reflected in the mirror of our national conscience. And yet, this is not an anomaly, but a continuation of a growing cancer on our body politic. George Floyd is the latest Black man to be murdered by police and others, joining Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many more Black and Brown people whose lives have been unjustly taken from them. Anger over the embedded racism in our society is pouring out on the streets of Seattle and in cities across our country.
As Ibrahim X Kendi wrote, “What’s the problem with being ‘not racist’? It is a claim that signifies neutrality: ‘I am not a racist, but neither am I aggressively against racism.’ But there is no neutrality in the racism struggle. The opposite of ‘racist’ isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘antiracist.'”
This is difficult work and we must engage in it. While the challenge to change hearts and minds may seem insurmountable, we are inspired by the words of our tradition: “It is not yours to finish the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.” Especially as Jews well tutored in the sting of prejudice and long suffering of the violence it spawns, we are commanded to stand up, to speak out, and to heal a world in dire need of repair. If not now, when?
We know the Black members of our community are especially hurting right now. Your rabbis see you and we are here for you.
At Temple we are deeply engaged in the work of racial justice. See our Race and Reconciliation Page. We are forming a racial justice task force at Temple. Be in touch with Rabbi Fine to join our efforts. Please utilize the resources below and join us in the essential and holy pursuit of justice.
Rabbi Daniel Weiner
Rabbi Callie Schulman
Rabbi Avi Fine
Educate Yourself
Books to Read:
So You Want to Talk about Race by Ikeoma Oluo
How to Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
The Color of Love by Mara Gad
White Fragility by Robin Deangelo
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Join Temple in reading and discussing a book about race. Email Rabbi Fine if you are interested.
Articles to Read:
Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge
The Latest from the URJ/Reform Movement
What White People Can Do for Racial Justice
The Black Jews are Tired
Films to Watch:
Little White Lie – A portrait of Black and Jewish identity
On the Brink – A portrayal of the challenges of gentrification in the historic Central District of Seattle
Interfaith Gathering to Protest George Floyd Killing at First African Methodist Episcopal Church
Learn The Vocabulary
- Glossary: Racial Equity Tools via Racial Equity Tools, list of definitions (SCROLL to BOTTOM) is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity.
- Glossary from the Center for Diversity and Inclusion via Washington University in St. Louis
- Race and Ethnicity – What’s the Difference? from Rosetta Lee
- Race Definitions and Racism Definitions via the Center for the Study of White American Culture
Talk to your Children
It is important to talk to your children, no matter how old, about fairness, equality, and race in our country. Here is a good place to start:
- 31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance
- How to talk to kids about racism, racial violence and police brutality
- A Resource for Talking About Race with Young Children from Raising Race Conscious Children
- 100 Race-Conscious things you can say to your child to advance racial justice via Raising Race Conscious Kids
- Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice
- Anti-Racism for Kids 101: Starting to Talk About Race
- Embrace Race Action Guides
- Resources for Talking With Kids About Racism
- Raising Race Conscious Children
- The Conscious Kid
- Anti-Racism and Jewish Resources
Support Black Businesses
Arts and Community:
Emazing Photography, LLCO
Our Fabric Stash, Pike Place Market
Captured by Candace Photography
Estelita’s Library, 2533 16th Ave S.
Enjoli Izidor Design
United Reprographics, 1750 4th Ave S
Beauty, Spa & Hair:
In Bloom Salon & Beauty Boutique, 101 Cherry Street
Andro, 219 James St
QueenCare, 2702 S Hudson St
MassageFit
Earl’s Cuts & Styles, 1162 23rd Ave
Good Hair Salon, 1918 E Yesler Way
How We Met Apothecary
Health and Wellness:
iNfinitely Well LLC, 3021 S Willow St
Rival Fitness, 510 E Pine St
Columbia City Fitness Center, 2609 S Jackson St/4860 Rainer Ave S
The Ride, 112 E Lynn St
City Sweats, 1928 43rd Ave E
Project 968, 5617 37th Ave SW
Down to Reiki, 3400 Harbor Ave SW
www.multiculturalcounselors.org
Shopping:
Jacob Willard Home, 5600 Rainer Ave S
Joyce’s Market & Cafe, 2717 E Union St
Exclusive Boutique, 1141 MLK Jr Way
Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry, 1419 S Jackson St
Lika Love, 535 Warren Ave N & 6031 California Ave SW
Clean Greens Farm and Market, 116 21st Ave
Flowers Just 4-U, 701 23rd Ave
Reach Out and Act
Reach out: For those of us who are not Black, reach out to your family, friends and coworkers who are Black and ask: “How are you doing? What can I do to support you right now?” And then listen. We must align our intention to be allies with an open and willing heart to hear what is needed by those most affected.
Act: Raise your voice in declaring that black lives matter. Post the concrete steps you are taking to be anti-racist.
Donate
- NAACP We are Done Dying Campaign
- Urban League of Seattle
- Washington Building Leader of Change (WA-BLOC), a local Seattle organization that supports Black and Brown young people to become change agents
- Campaign Zero
- Color of Change