Happy Juneteenth fam,
How are you? Have you checked in with yourself lately? If you’re not OK right now, that’s OK. I don’t think many of us are OK after this three-week marathon of mourning Black lives that have been taken from us prematurely.
George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. Tony McDade. Rayshard Brooks. And so many others. It’s exhausting to see those who look like us being killed by the same ones who are supposed to protect and serve us. It’s exhausting to see Black cis and trans women going underprotected and getting erased in the movement. It’s maddening to see so many celebritiesmisuse their platform at such a critical time. Meanwhile, many brands, corporations and politicians are making changes that should've been made a long time ago and expecting a pat on the back.
And we have to deal with all of this in the middle of a pandemic that’s still wreaking havoc and impacting Black people at a disproportionate rate. We’re tired.
Today, as we celebrate OUR Independence Day, I hope you are about to find some joy, if not, at least some rest and levity. Maybe it's supporting a Black artist or Black-owned business. Maybe it's revisiting a Black classic film. We're also hosting a livestreamed conversation around the importance of Juneteenth and this moment at 6 p.m. if you want to join.
However you decide to spend the day, make sure you're taking care of yourself today and everyday. We need it, especially now. | 
