10/19/2020
Here is what is on the sign on the door to our library. Every once in a while I'll see someone stop to read it, and then look through the books.
Hello Neighbors,
On Monday, May 25, George Floyd died after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by Minneapolis Police Officers. Derek Chauvin, a white now-former Minneapolis police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for at least 8 minutes, despite Floyd telling him repeatedly that he could not breathe. This violence against black and brown bodies in our communities must stop. We cannot be silent. It is our responsibility as white people, as US residents, as HUMAN BEINGS to stand up for our brothers and sisters of color who are in pain. We are part of the problem and we must be
part of the solution.
If you are new or novice to this work like we are, here are two solid first steps: 1. Self-educate and 2. Start a conversation about race.
We want to support our neighborhood and community in doing both of these things. For that reason, we have decided
to build a little free LIBERATION LIBRARY. To quote Aboriginal rights activists in Australia, “If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mind, then let us work together.” We are not free until all are free. Our liberation as human beings is directly connected to the liberation of our
black and brown neighbors.
We are committed to filling our liberation library with books that will help primarily white people to educate themselves
about the reality of American Racism and about the responsibilities we, white people, have for dismantling white
supremacy in our world. Many of the books are meant for white parents of white children. Start these conversations
NOW, no matter how young your child is. Please take a copy of some questions you can use to start conversations with
your kids (in the resource folder). Don’t shy away from them. We must start these conversations now if we are to build a
better future.
The only things we ask is that you only take books you commit to reading (so 1-2 books at a time) and when you finish
the book, PLEASE RETURN IT TO THIS LIBRARY so that others may embark on the learning that book provides. If you have books that you would like to add, request, or if you’d like to contribute money to keep this library well-stocked, please
email Erin at [email protected]. We are also more than open to conversation to further the work we
are doing together.
Please continue to check back as we will be adding titles all summer long and plan to provide other resources that
provide ways that we can take action on behalf of liberation and love for all.
Looking forward to doing this work alongside you,
Erin & Ben
