May 24, 2022 | Michelle Ramos, Executive Director, Alternate ROOTS
Hello ROOTS Community,
I hope that you all are holding strong and holding each other in the midst of the challenging times we find ourselves in.
We are deeply grieving the anti-Asian shooting in Dallas and the anti-Black shooting in Buffalo, as well as the many others against BIPOC folk since the beginning of 2022. We have also been carefully watching the actions of the Supreme Court since the draft decision was leaked, and are in partnership with organizations who have been engaged in Reproductive Justice for decades. And we are in solidarity with everyone organizing against the anti-trans and anti-queer legisltation sweeping the South and the country right now, including two ROOTS staff members who are on the frontlines of this fight.
One of the challenges during these times is the desire to be responsive in the moment, while also honoring that these issues directly impact our staff and leadership. As a BIPOC-led and run organization, we feel at a visceral level the gravity of these times and must honor ourselves with space to breathe and process as we do our best to show up for all of you.
We are an organization defined by our mission to eliminate all forms of oppression everywhere. This includes murder in the name of white supremacy, the reversal of reproductive rights, and legisliation that limits the freedoms of trans and queer people.
We are committed to amplifying and supporting ROOTS’ artists, activists, community organizers, and culture bearers on the front lines of this work. We see you and we celebrate you, just as we see and celebrate our ROOTS staff members who are on the front lines, working to be the change this world so desperately needs.
Sending everyone love, strength, and grace as we hold each other now and in anticipation for what we know is coming.
In love & solidarity,
Michelle