Posted: June 4, 2020 – 4:20pm | Updated: June 11, 2020 – 1:22pm
Hello Partners,
At such a pivotal time, SCY is working to remain a source of connection and information for partners and stakeholders in our missions of violence prevention and positive youth development.
We are all mourning the death of George Floyd, and processing the events of the past week. We all process differently, and are using a variety of resources to help us through that process.
I wanted to share some of the information that SCY staff has been utilizing, as well as what is being shared with us by our partners and stakeholders. We hope these resources help you as we move through this difficult time, and through the myriad of difficult discussions that will continue.
Ongoing Protests:
Social media has become an invaluable tool for up to the moment information pertinent to developments around the city of Chicago. Here are a few links to Twitter accounts for Chicago organizations putting out evolving information as protests and demonstrations continue throughout the Chicagoland area:
- City of Chicago: @Chicago
- Mayor Lori Lightfoot: @chicagosmayor
- Chicago Police: @chicago_police
- Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) : @cta
- Metra: @metra
- Block Club Chicago: Want to clean up? Need food? Here’s how to donate or get help amid protests for George Floyd
Clean Up and Food Resources:
- City of Chicago Grocery Store Status Map:Due to recent riots, many local grocery stores have been closed while stores take time to rebuild. Click here to find out the status of your local grocery store as well as nearby shopping alternatives.
- As many businesses recover from break-ins and vandalization that occurred last week, some residents struggle to access food and essentials. The city is working to assist those adversely affected. Families needing emergency food can call (773) 553-5437. Additionally, seniors and families without children should call 311 for emergency food needs. Affected businesses that may need boarding up due to damage or to prevent damage can email nbdc@cityofchicago.org for requests. Volunteers are also needed to assist small businesses board and clean up. Those interested in this opportunity can sign up here. For more information and updates on COVID-19, text COVID19 to 78015, email coronavirus@chicago.gov or visit Chicago.gov/coronavirus.
Local News Updates:
Conversations Surrounding Race, Policing, and Protests
- CNN: How to talk to your children about protests and racism
- New York Times: These books can help you explain racism and protest to your kids
- MBK Alliance: Obama holds a virtual town hall on policing and civil unrest
- Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream: Silence is NOT an option. – While an unlikely source, the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Company has a history of speaking out on issues of social importance. In addition to their response to the murder of George Floyd, related articles from them include:
- Washington Post: Understanding racism and inequality in America
- Reprint from the New York Times:
How should parents discuss race with their children? Start early, and keep the conversation going. Talk about racial differences in positive ways. Make sure any home library has books with black protagonists.
These suggestions — and many more — come from Jessica Grose, editor of The Times’s Parenting section. She spoke with experts and wrote up a list of suggested books. She told us:
We wanted to provide information for parents who want to have conversations with their children about racism and the protests over the killing of George Floyd. We also wanted to make clear that it’s a privilege to choose to have these conversations; as many of my sources emphasized, black families are having and have been having these conversations, and reading these books.
The big takeaway here is that non-black families don’t just need to talk about racism with their kids — they need to show their kids they are also taking action.
One comment, from Jacqueline Dougé, a pediatrician and child health advocate based in Maryland, really stuck with me: “Because of our culture, I have a heavy burden as a black mom. But if I think my kids are going to end racism alone, I’m deluded.”
More resources: Jessica also recommends the conversation guides from EmbraceRace and Raising Race Conscious Children. And you can subscribe to Jessica’s newsletter here.
