STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY

To the XO community:

Across the US, we have witnessed numerous injustices and trauma inflicted against the Black community. We are devastated and outraged by the unjust deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and the many other Black folx whose lives were tragically cut short due to anti-Black racism and police brutality. We stand in solidarity with Black communities across America who have mobilized to demand justice and change.

White supremacy underlies all aspects of our society, manifesting in countless acts of violence, discrimination, and prejudice as well as in less-visible manners -- including media representation, and lack thereof. As an organization that aims to highlight marginalized voices and experiences, XO denounces white supremacy, racism, anti-Black violence, and police brutality in all of its forms. Many folx whose voices we seek to uplift in our publication continue to be harmed by institutionalized racism and other systems of oppression that continually devalue Black bodies, voices, and experiences. This is unacceptable.

We encourage you to take action by:

  1. Making monetary donations to bail funds and racial justice and prison abolition-based organizations, if you have the means, or through no-cost contributions via video streaming (ex. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NokTSpMH44A)

  2. Taking concrete actions to support the BLM movement (ex. https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co)

  3. Educating yourself, your family, and your friends about racism, race-based trauma, and anti-Black violence (see resources below) and engaging in dialogue, however difficult.

As an organization, we are committed to supporting folx who are organizing protests, demonstrating, and working to demand and enact change. We believe in collective action, and we will be matching NEW donations to bail funds and racial justice and prison abolition-based organizations, using funds raised from XO fundraisers and contributions by XO staff. Once you donate to a bail fund or racial justice or prison abolition-based organization, please send us the receipt via Instagram DM (@xo.magazine) or email (xomagazinebrown@gmail.com). We will match donations up to $300 [UPDATE: Donation match limit has been reached. Thank you to everyone who donated!]

Anti-racism work is continual, and our efforts must persist beyond these current times. Re-envisioning and rebuilding our country’s foundational systems is needed to address the ingrained roots of racism, a task that will require time, focus, and commitment. We know this isn’t nearly enough. Our efforts now are merely a starting point—let us do whatever we can in order to sustain and build upon them.

Black lives matter then, now, and always.

Yours in solidarity,

XO Magazine

A small list of additional resources:

An anti-racist reading list: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/books/review/antiracist-reading-list-ibram-x-kendi.html

List of Black-owned bookstores: https://www.elle.com/culture/books/g32758181/black-owned-bookstores/

Anti-racism resources: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic

Guide to protesting: https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protest-safely-gear-tips/

List of organizations to donate to: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html

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