Successes in Anti-Racism Activities

Sewing supply vendors:

With the boycott of JoAnn’s, Hobby Lobby and Michael’s and the big four pattern companies, a message is being sent to sewing supply sources that do not actively support diversity. The best result of this, for me, is awareness of other sources for fabric purchase.

A vendor list of diversity supporters  is available on Jacinta's instagram feed which offers  a wide range shopping opportunities. My caftan is Seamwork Micah#seamworkmicah made from gorgeous fabric from a new-to-me-fabric store, chizzyafrique which offers good service, quality fabric, fair prices and just happens to be black owned – an added bonus! I’ve browsed through many other stores on the list that offer exciting shopping opportunities.

Awareness of black pattern makers:  One good one is the goddess gown by Iviye.   I have the pattern and look forward to sewing it.

Increased anti-racism instagram acitivity : Black Makers Matter provides a resource for black sewists and an opportunity to discover new talent for the rest of us. Thanks to Meg and Loni, our Saturday evening happy hour has provided many resources and inspiration. These include resources for contributions to fight racism. I and many others have donated.

One of the future instagram live videos  is a discussion of the book  “Pageants,” Parlors and Pretty Women: Race and Beauty in the 20^th century” on Jacinta's instagram grid on Saturday, August 29 at 11:00 PST.

Discovering black authors – a few of these are:

“Piecing Me Together” by Renee Watsen. She is an excellent writer who tells about a black girl’s experience in an all white school. The book is fiction, but could be non-fiction.

“Liberated Threads” by Tanisha Ford. This is a detailed book about the how and why black women from New York City to Johannesburg integrated style and beauty into their activism. Although I’ve studied a lot of history, I still leaned a lot from this well written and organized book.

Any book written by Ibram X Kendi. He has an excellent video onTed Talks.

Increased awareness of police brutality and racist actions. Locally, our police department has started a training program and is establishing a citizen’s advisory board. How is this working? We’ll have to see, but it’s the right direction.

Diversity in the schools: Although required by law, our local schools dp have a non-discrimination policy. The equity office is monitoring current plans for students returning to school.

Some candidates for city council and school board in our local August primary are including the importance of diversity in their campaigns. They have my vote!