Fireworks and Flags

Out with the rainbow, in with the red, white and blue, here comes July! America's favorite month in all its firework and backyard barbeque glory. But beneath the punch and sparkle and star spangled banners, what exactly are we celebrating? Once again, it was time for me to reconsider what I am supporting with my time and energy.

I don't like the military. There, I said it. However, I have veterans in my family, I have friends who are active duty. And I do support them. In 2020, forty-three percent of active-duty military members were people of color, a disproportionately high demographic, and I support them, too. So how can I reconcile my dislike of the military machine, while still supporting those caught up in its gears? For me, I took to the internet in search of places to donate to veterans, who often get forgotten as soon as they are spit back out into civilian society. Minority Veterans of America (https://www.minorityvets.org/about/) was where I ultimately chose to donate. They pride themselves in altering the narrative in what it means to be a "traditional soldier" by supporting soldiers of color, women soldiers, LGBTQ+ soldiers and others. (A longer list of potential veteran donation sites: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=531).

For me, celebrating July 4th and the "freedom" that exists in America seems disingenuous now that I have educated myself on the racial disparities in our society. It also feels gross to applaud ourselves for being progressive and making strides, while disregarding the fact that we as white people are actively contributing to the oppression of people of color in our society, and our freedom parades are thrown on stolen land. Native American tribes have been shoved to the side in our pursuit of progress, and failure to acknowledge this continues to contribute to this disenfranchisement. In addition to donating to the ease the generational trauma that has been inflicted upon Native Americans through the Native Wellness Institute (https://www.nativewellness.com/), this month, I also donated to the Native American Rights Fund (https://www.narf.org/?_ga=2.205067282.389121467.1628107195-1770254131.1628107195). Instead of ignoring the struggles Native Americans today are continuing to face, donating to an empowerment organization draws awareness and makes positive progress.

July is unofficially recognized as Disability Pride Month. The July 26, 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) opened new doors to people otherwise denied normal freedoms enjoyed by other able-bodied Americans. Though that started the journey towards acceptance for disabled Americans, the fight continues today. Deciding on somewhere to donate to support our disabled siblings in the community is difficult, as the population is so diverse, but there are several in depth lists on the internet you can consult for potential donation locations (this list is specifically for black disability advocacies: https://www.nylon.com/life/black-people-with-disabilities-donations-resources). Ultimately, I decided to donate to the Autistic People of Color Fund (https://autismandrace.com/autistic-people-of-color-fund/). Disabled people of color are even more vulnerable to homelessness and violent altercations with the police, and this organization offers funds to support the members in this community, and educate allies on autism.

I have always enjoyed watching fireworks on the fourth of July, but there was a part of me over the past few years that wondered if I could do something more proactive during the month of July as opposed to just sitting back and occasionally feeling guilty for what the fireworks symbolized. This July, I feel more involved in changing that which caused my guilt, but I am aware that there is much work still to be done.

Other places I donated this month:

RAICES: One of the most stark illustrations of the lack of freedom this country offers is the Mexico/United States border crisis. RAICES (The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) advocates, empowers and supports families currently in need of assistance. (https://www.raicestexas.org/our-mission/?ms=actionnetwork)

List of other places to donate to help with the border crisis: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/26/how-to-donate-to-help-migrant-children-at-the-border.html

Center for Racial Justice in Education: In honor of my Papa, who passed away at the very end of July, I made a donation to support the on-going effort of racial justice education. I would like future generations to continue to fight for racial justice through understanding of other people and their experiences, I believe it is a positive legacy that can be left in my Papa's absence. (https://centerracialjustice.org/)

List of other places to donate to continue the fight against racial inequality: https://www.classy.org/blog/donate-racial-justice-equality-efforts/

Marsha P. Johnson Institute: promotes and supports the survival and existence of black trans individuals. (https://marshap.org/)

Arts Administrators of Color: program that supports the livelihoods of administrators and artists of color. (https://aacnetwork.org/)

Denver Indian Family Resource Center: combats the overrepresentation of American Indian children in the welfare system through community initiatives which support American Indian families in the Denver area. (https://difrc.org/)

onePulse Foundation: memorial and educational venture, dedicated to the victims of the Pulse Nightclub massacre. (https://onepulsefoundation.org/)

The Bail Project: pays bail for individuals facing incarceration. (https://bailproject.org/)

The Audre Lorde Project: a community organizing group focused on social wellness for LGBTQ+ people of color in the New York City area. (https://alp.org/)

Stop AAPI Hate: organization fighting against Asian-American and Pacific Islander discrimination. (https://stopaapihate.org/)

Creators of Color on YouTube I like (support them on YouTube and Patreon!):

chai tii: (https://www.youtube.com/user/sweetsprouts)

ToonrificTariq: (https://www.youtube.com/user/ToonrificTariq)

cheyenne cassidy: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCypLVuXnRq7HT5P6JiL-rjg)

Charlie Gold: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0flRv1RHTb4B3VrCmJZ_g)

An Honest Conversation: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN5WOBO0Uj38q56cNCbqkoQ)

Khadija Mbowe: (https://www.youtube.com/user/dijybaby)

Jessica Nicole Dickerson: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ERoD9U2epxemhl_EatOWw)

ZZAVID: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9SJfPaQpqMfhpA6876p-og)

Frederic Chen: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGEEOORgz4yqBNcg1wA4Rxw)

SWOOP: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHZdrDcZhhRO11m67Tgz4A)

MacDoesIt: (https://www.youtube.com/user/MachaizelliDoesIt)

Sophia Phan: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfyCFBQGDRQnM9fY1pJ977A)

Greta Onieogou: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrTdbheEP9KMrm1Vw08DwQ)

Lakia Jai TV: (https://www.youtube.com/user/kiatoocute)

La'Ron Readus: (https://www.youtube.com/user/Readus101)

Kennie JD: (https://www.youtube.com/user/KennieJD)