RACIAL JUSTICE

It is important for us to continue to acknowledge and confront the racism that still plagues our nation today and to work to better understand how we can come together to create a safer and & more equitable future for all black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC).

At Thirst Project we spent much of 2020 listening, learning and leading our team to better understand the experience of BIPOC in America today. Now in 2021 there has been an alarming rise in violence against our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) friends & family in recent months – following more than a year’s worth of xenophobic rhetoric & racial stereotyping amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

For us, that meant & continues to mean having tough conversations amongst staff, disagreements on what to do or what to say and ultimately accepting the reality that nothing we have done personally or corporately has been enough. However, as an organization founded, registered, & headquartered in the United States we are a stakeholder in the fabric of the society of the country we are based in, it is important to make clear both our position on these issues and the actions we have and will continue to take to fight to ensure equality within our organization and to dismantle systemic racism outside of it.     ⠀

With that said, here is what we commit to do:⠀

💧 We have been working to and will continue to work to diversify our Board of Directors.⠀

💧 We have been working to and will continue to work to further diversify the Employees, Interns and Vendors we hire.⠀

💧 We will continue to encourage students to watch the recordings of the Zoom sessions our student community participated in where students discussed how they are handling these issues in their local communities and provide action steps for them to make a difference. ⠀

💧 We will create opportunities for students to use their time, voice & vote to end police brutality & racism. ⠀

💧 We will work to maintain an inclusive workplace where all voices feel heard & respected. ⠀

💧 We will give additional paid time off during the workday to any Staffer who wants to volunteer to organize at organizations leading the fight for anti-racism & racial equality. ⠀

💧 We will maintain a space on our website where individuals can learn more about where we stand on this issue and ways to take action from anywhere in the world, as well as our progress towards completing the above goals.

If you had any question where we stand on these issue, let us say it extremely loud & clear #BLACKLIVESMATTER & #STOPASIANHATE

RESOURCES

DONATE

  1. The Innocence Project – With multiple branches throughout the nation, The Innocence Project works to exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes by providing free legal assistance.
  2. NAAPC LDF (Legal Defense Fund)- LDF works to protect the most vulnerable in our society. The fight to defend our civil and human rights has never been more critical. LDF works to win landmark legal battles, protect voters across the nation, and advance the cause of racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.
  3. AAPI Community Fund – This organization aims to amplify AAPI voices and uplift, empower & protect them by addressing the urgent issues that face the AAPI community as well as broader, systemic problems.
  4. AAPI Women Lead – They are on a mission to strengthen the progressive political and social platforms of AAPI communities in the U.S. through the leadership of self-identified AAPI women and girls.
  5. Black Girls Code – On a mission to increase the number of black women working in computer programming, BGC hosts after-school programs and workshops. The organization plans to train one million young black women in the field by the year 2040.
  6. My Brother’s Keeper – An initiative of the Obama administration, this organization aims to unite and amplify the voices of black men through mentorship.
  7. ACLU – The American Civil Liberties Union works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States

ACT

  1. Register to Vote – True leaders VOTE by example.
  2. Change.org – Taking action will help amplify your VOICE.
  3. Report a Hate Crime – Strong communities stand together against hate.
  4. Study Hall – Share experiences & learn from other students across the world.

LEARN

  1. Systemic Racism Explained – Take a minute to better understand the issues being discussed across the United States and learn how you can help.
  2. TIME Magazine – A thoughtful piece by Cady Lang about how hate crimes against Asian Americans are on the rise.

WATCH

  1. The Hate U Give
  2. 13th
  3. Amanda Nguyen’s Call to Action
  4. Asian Americans (PBS)

STUDY HALL SESSIONS

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3