Photo by Jessica Castro
Written by Jackson Bird
This week we’re sharing holiday tips for talking to your family, practicing gratitude, and giving back to communities that need it.
What we’re checking out…
Gratitude is the theme of the week and The Cru’s newsletter has some practical tips on how to make gratitude a habit in your life.
If you’re spending this week or any of the upcoming holiday breaks with family members you don’t always see eye-to-eye with, we recommend Define American’s “Guide to Difficult Conversations.” They put together a perfectly cringeworthy and hilarious video showing you what not to do as well as a series of graphics with seriously helpful advice.
We also recommend reading and bookmarking Rachel Elizabeth Cargle’s piece “How to Talk to Your Family About Racism on Thanksgiving” for reference over the upcoming holidays. It’s on all of us to hold our own communities, and families, accountable.
While many of us are enjoying visits with our loved ones, thousands of families remain torn apart at the border. One way you can help is by purchasing a copy (or several!) of Coloring Without Borders, a children’s coloring book created by artists from all around the world. All proceeds go to Families Belong Together.
Though you hopefully spent some time yesterday ruminating on the true history of Thanksgiving (and maybe even attending a National Day of Mourning event), this whole season is a great time to listen to native communities and give back to them however you can. Here are some of our favorite causes to donate to:
- The Navajo Water Project, bringing clean, running water to the Navajo reservation
- The Mitakuye Foundation, a native youth suicide prevention organization
- The Lakota People’s Law Project, defending the human rights and sacred lands of Native communities
The latest from our speakers…
Mychal Denzel Smith published an absolute must-read in Harper’s Magazine about the burden of the black public intellectual.
Mia Birdsong and Shanelle Matthews’ new initiative, The Black Mama’s Storytelling Fellowship, got an amazing feature in Blavity.
Common performed a concert for the U.S.’s largest women’s prison and Jamil Smith was in attendance to report on the event for Rolling Stone.
Simran Jeet Singh turned a bike crash injury into a thought-provoking piece for Religious News Service about the tension that can occur between faith and medical treatment. Don’t worry, he’s safe and recovered now!
Sarika Bansal’s BRIGHT Magazine is putting together a book! Donate to the crowdfunder for Tread Brightly here.
And ICYMI we announced our new class of 2018 speakers! Read all about each of them here.
Like what you see? Get the reFRESH in your inbox each week.
Leave a reply