Hi friends - It’s been a week. I went back and forth on whether or not to address the racism, protests, and heartbreak we’re seeing across the nation in my blog newsletter which is usually a medium for me to share new recipes and food ideas. Many times, we’re told to avoid politics and “stay in your lane”. However, the issue at hand is simply too important to ignore. George Floyd and the countless other Black lives that have been lost due to police brutality and racism embedded in our society must end now.

Additionally, seeing people I admire from famous chefs, athletes, local leaders, and friends using their voices to get the message out has been inspiring. It felt shallow and out of touch to send my usual newsletter without addressing the pain, anger, and frustration that we’re seeing all around the US. And, if you think about it, food has always been political. There’s a reason why Black, Latino and Native American communities suffer from health problems at a higher rate than white communities and affluent neighborhoods. These groups are twice as likely as whites to be diabetic or suffer from chronic health issues. One of the reasons for this is access to healthy and nutritious foods. On top of that the systemic racism built into the health care system, barriers to affordable health care, and lower incomes all play a part. If you’ve never had to think twice about where to find fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy groceries, that’s your privilege working for you. I hope the next pointers will give you tips on using your privilege to help others by first, understanding what it is.

If you're not comfortable attending protests, here are some actionable items to commit to in the efforts to create a change.

Educate Yourself: Take it upon yourself to learn, don’t place the burden on Black people.

Understand your privilege and read up about the history of racism and the Black community, white supremacy, and how it relates to the violence against Black lives. Systemic racism is especially hard to break because our country was built this way. I believe that knowledge is power, the more you learn, the harder it becomes to turn a blind eye to the situation. Here are some books to start with:

Support Black-owned businesses. Noah Sandoval is the chef of Michelin starred restaurant Oriole, in Chicago. He (a white man) announced he was closing up his take out business to “make room for Black-owned businesses in our city”. And, guided his followers to links to donate to organizations for the cause while giving them a list of Black-owned restaurants they can support. Check your local restaurant guides and support Black-owned businesses during this time. Soleil Ho, the SF Chronicle’s food reporter has compiled a list of Black-owned restaurants you can support if you’re in the Bay Area. Staying complacent is just as harmful and being an ally means using your voice to elevate and support Black voices and businesses.

Donate. If you're able, there are many places to donate to. I chose the Black Votes Matter Fund because voter suppression is one of the biggest challenges we are up against for the  election in November.

Become an ally, have a conversation: Staying silent in times of injustice is privilege. David Chang summed it up in his latest Instagram post, “Hey Asian Americans… Call your parents and make sure they understand how George Floyd was murdered, the necessity of the protests and the need for solidarity with Black Lives Matter.” Having a conversation with someone can open up the door to more people understanding why this is happening and how to help.

VOTE. VOTE. VOTE. We have to elect government and city officials who are responsive to our demands. Voter turnout in local races is historically low and that has to change. Use your right to vote so that your ballot counts and we’re electing candidates who will act on reform. A great resource for voting is Vote Save America.

In the 2016 election, Wisconsin's strict voter-ID law suppressed 200,000 votes in a state won by only 22,748 votes. Guess why, racist voting policy that disenfranchises Black voters is still happening in so many places! (info from How To Be An Antiracist). This has to change immediately.
 

Thanks for reading. I hope you're inspired to take action this week and beyond. If we do not use our voices to elevate Black communities then we are not helping. Being not racist isn’t enough anymore, we have to be anti-racist. As an Asian-American woman it pained me to see someone in our bordering city posting “go back to your country” letters on the front door of her Asian-American neighbors because of COVID (Thankfully, she was arrested). And with that in mind, I cannot even begin to imagine the pain of watching someone you love die because of their skin color. We have to do better and we have to do it now. ~Kelsey

PS - Below are more resources to watch, listen and follow for more info.

Watch & Listen:

  • When They See Us - Ava DuVernay (Netflix)

  • I Am Not Your Negro - Raoul Peck (Amazon Prime)

  • Dear White People - (Netflix)

  • 13th - Ava Duvernay (Netflix)

  • The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas (Netflix)  *also a book

  • Just Mercy - free on all platform *also a book by Bryan Stevenson

  • Pod Save the People - Crooked Media (podcast)

  • 1619 - NYT (podcast)

  • United States of Anxiety - NPR (podcast)

Follow:

  • @blklivesmatter

  • @theconsciouskid

  • @breenewsom2

  • @mspackyetti

  • @ckyourprivilege

  • @iamderay

  • @ibramxk

  • @ava

  • @rachel.cargle

  • @clintsmithiii