fbpx
translate
menu
Donate

Select Your Language

Posted April 20, 2021

Black Lives Matter

View All Posts

Updated April 20, 2021

Row New York stands in solidarity with those calling for justice for Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, and countless others. Their lives matter and their families deserve justice. 

Police brutality is part of a system of white supremacy and racism faced by communities throughout the country, including here in New York City. 

Row New Yorkers, these events are distressing and it’s normal to need some extra support.  Reach out to a coach, academics staff, or any other staff member at Row New York if you need mental health support during this time. 

Below are some ways to stay updated on news and action items. 

Web

  • George Floyd Memorial Foundation
    • Founded by the Floyd Family
  • National Agenda for Black Girls
    • The National Agenda includes six national policy priorities that were informed by the experiences and self-identified needs of Black girls across the United States
  • Girls For Gender Equity
    • Through education, organizing, and physical fitness, Girls for Gender Equity NYC encourages communities to remove barriers and create opportunities for girls and women to live self-determined lives.

Instagram

  • @justiceforgeorge
    • Instagram account for the George Floyd Memorial Foundation, founded by George Floyd’s family, posts action items and updates. Check here for updates on Derek Chauvin’s trial. 
  • @justiceforgeorgenyc
    • New York-specific, an organizer-run account that posts information on protests, virtual events, ongoing trials, and more. 
  • @theconciouskid 
    • Resources for educators and parents
  • @ggenyc
    • Through education, organizing, and physical fitness, Girls for Gender Equity NYC encourages communities to remove barriers and create opportunities for girls and women to live self-determined lives.
  • @natagenda4blackgirls 
    • The National Agenda includes six national policy priorities that were informed by the experiences and self-identified needs of Black girls across the United States

New Yorkers, Get ready to vote

There is a New York City Primary Election on June 22nd. New York City will use ranked-choice voting for Primary and Special Elections for the following municipal offices: Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, City Council Elections. Click here for more information from the Board of Elections. 

Inclusive Rowing

Take action at your boathouse. Click here for 8 ways to make your boathouse more inclusive.

Feedback about this post? Email marketing@rownewyork.org

Updated June 23, 2020

Below are some lesson plans, lists of Black-owned businesses, action items and websites with stories from Black people.

Lesson plans

List of resources for parents and educators – includes lesson plans and webinars

Lesson plan for a listening circle -“The police killing of George Floyd has ignited outrage, grief, and protest across the country. Here are some suggestions to give your students space to share their thoughts and feelings about these events.”

Lesson plan- why are people out in the street?– “This activity has students listen to and reflect on the voices of those who are out in the street in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by police. What brings them there? And what do students think and feel about it?”

List of resources for talking to kids about racism

Black-owned businesses

List of Black-owned businesses

Another list of Black-owned businesses

Take Action

Change.org– sign petitions and receive updates on those petitions by the organizers. If you sign up for emails, you will receive petitions to sign with one click.

Here are eight petitions for Black Trans Lives on change.org.

How to demand justice for Breonna Taylor

Another resource on how to demand justice for Breonna Taylor

More

Black, Disabled and Proud– a website run by colleagues working in disability services at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Colleges and Universities (PBCUs)

Black LGBT people- Resources and an explanation of some of the issues they face

“10 podcasts that bring me happiness as a Black listener“

Follow @justiceforgeorgenyc and @ggenyc on Instagram

~

June 2, 2020

Row New York feels the deep loss of George Floyd and stands with the protesters in our city and country who are saying loud and clear that enough is enough. We urge everyone to pay attention, listen to black people as they talk about their experiences and take action. Don’t look away. Don’t stay silent. 

Students, alumni and other readers, below are resources to help you learn more, take action, and take care of your mental health.

How to take action

  1. Listen to Black people when they talk about their experiences. Listen and try to understand. However, do not expect Black people to teach you how to not be racist. It is your job to learn about anti-racism through existing resources. Click here for a list. More below.
  2. Learn about anti-racism. Do not expect praise during this process. You do not deserve praise for not being racist. Your work to support Black people should not be conditional on getting “appropriate” praise or reactions from Black people. Click here for a list of resources. More below.
  3. Amplify Black voices on social media and on any platform you have. If you are not Black, do not make the conversation about you. More below.
  4. Sign petitions. Click here to find petitions you can sign. This will take you only a few minutes. Petitions help bring attention to issues and signal to decision-makers and the media how many people care about a given topic.
  5. Text, call, and email. Click here to see a list. Calling and emailing your reps will show them their constituents care and are paying attention. Click here to learn about an effort in New York to repeal 50-a.
  6. Donate. Click here to see where you can donate. As an organization that relies on donations, we attest to the power of your donations, no matter how small. More below.
  7. Protest If you are not Black, know that you show up to protests to support Black people. Click here to learn about your rights as a protestor in New York. More below.

Mental Health Resources

It is important to ask for help when you need extra support.

Row New York athletes, reach out to your Academics managers, coaches, or Michelle (reach her at mfalcon@rownewyork.org).

Below are additional resources in case you do not have access to the resources above.

Click to see the list compiled by Healthyish

NYC Well App Library

Click here to see a list of apps to help with anxiety, stress, depression, addiction, and more.

Click here to see a similar list by NYC Well with apps that are free during the pandemic.

Taking Action (cont.)

Below are more details on how you can listen to rowers of color, learn about anti-racism, amplify Black voices and donate to organizations doing this work.

Listen To Rowers of Color

The podcast “Rowing In Color” features people of color talking about their experiences in our sport. Find them wherever you listen to podcasts.

The movie A Most Beautiful Thing is set to premiere on July 10th. It chronicles the first African American high school rowing team in this country (made up of young men, many of whom were in rival gangs from the West Side of Chicago), all coming together to row in the same boat. 

Learn About Anti-racism

Graphic from @ibramxk’s Instagram

Above is a list of books you can read to expand your knowledge about anti-racism.

Below are some posts about combatting anti-blackness that you can read more quickly:

Amplify Black Voices

Amplify Black voices on social media and on any platform you have. If you are not Black, do not make the conversation about you or about your experiences with oppression.

Instagram

Accounts, posts and hashtags you can follow to stay informed

Do you know of Facebook and Twitter accounts we can add to this list? Private message us the account on Facebook or Twitter @rownewyork.

Donate

Minnesota Freedom Fund, Brooklyn Bail Fund, and Free Them All for Public Health are requesting donations be routed elsewhere because they’re currently overwhelmed with funds. That’s the power of your donations!

Bail funds are set up to cover bail for folks who are wrongfully convicted.  Right now, they are all focusing their energy on protestors who have been jailed.  Here are some specific funds: Philly / Chicago / Massachusetts and a VERY detailed Google doc here.

You can also donate to funds directly supporting Black people in Minnesota. Some important ones are: Reclaim the Block (supporting Black grassroots movements in Minnesota), Northstar Health Collective (providing health care at protests and other large activist gatherings), Black Visions Collective (black activist group).

Here are some memorial funds set up by family members of recent victims: George Floyd Memorial Fund / Ahmaud Arbery Fund / Tony McDade Fund

Protest

If you are not Black, know that you show up to protests to support Black people, not to speak over them nor instigate violence. There have been cases of nonBlack people attending protests and starting trouble. Please understand that the repercussions of your actions can negatively affect Black people and is not helpful. Instead, follow the lead of the Black organizers. To find protests near you, stay in touch with local organizations through social media or email. Instagram accounts of some of those organizations are linked above. Show up prepared with supplies and knowledge.

If you have feedback for this post, send it to marketing@rownewyork.org.

Related Posts

Snapshots From The Water