June 5, 2020
In light of recent violent events, and the ongoing struggle for equality and justice represented by protests and uprisings across the country, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture stands in solidarity with the Black community, people of color, and all who have suffered the abuses of systemic and structural prejudice and racism, and the cycles of violence they perpetuate. We mourn the deaths of George Floyd and countless others who are victims of this system of violence.
We understand the long necessary road ahead requires that we actively address the toxic anti-Black ways of thinking and seeing in the Arab American community and elsewhere. We want to ‘call people in’, not exclude members of our community. We call for them to join us and unify in the work that needs to be done here and now.
Arab organizations across the country, such as the National Network of Arab American Communities and Arab American Institute have issued calls to action. We are pleased to see the launch of the Arabs for Black Lives Collective, organizing and advocating against centuries of systemic and structural prejudice and injustice. Together we are committed to stand with the Black community, to follow Black leadership, to advance the work of Black organizations to uplift and support the needs of the community. Because as Angela Davis said, In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.
The events in our neighborhood in West Philadelphia last weekend continue to lay bare the distance we still have to go before achieving justice and equality. The pain and trauma of oppression has long sought to make its voice heard and the current pandemic crisis has only widened and made evident the chasm of inequity in Philadelphia and across the country. Unfortunately, in the process people and properties were hurt and damaged. During such times we need a clear message and strong leaders who understand and represent the needs of the community. Small businesses are the backbone of our city and we support the initiatives of local community leaders such as the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative in their call upon the City of Philadelphia to support their five-part plan to repair and secure businesses and build a better, more inclusive community for all. We thank Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for her ongoing efforts in West Philadelphia to bring unity and heal wounds while continuing the struggle for equity as a voice of the people.
In 1965 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to a crowd of more than ten thousand at 40th St and Lancaster Avenue about the need for “Freedom Now”. Just two years earlier, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, at the heart of our nation’s capital, he told those assembled, The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright days of justice emerge. The work of Dr. King and generations since is not yet done. The poet of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes, once wrote in his poem called Harlem:
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.Or does it explode?
Because of that 20th century “dream deferred” we have not yet reached the mountain top. NOW is the time to continue that important work, to struggle against the forces that would divide us, and make the dream of liberation a reality. We cannot walk alone… We cannot turn back… We can never be satisfied as long as… [there] are unspeakable horrors of police brutality — MLK Jr.
We must strive for unity, to move forward in solidarity, to struggle for real change and freedom for all, because without justice there can be no peace. Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced — James Baldwin
Resources:
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter Protest Resource
Black Visions Collective
The Love Land Foundation
Color of Change
Reclaim the Block
In the coming days Al-Bustan will share a collection of resources, in Arabic and English, which provide information for Arab Americans and others to become better allies and supporters of Black voices in the ongoing struggle.
See Al-Bustan’s recommended list of children’s books on culture, race, and racism
See our summer series of conversations on Creating a Culture of Change
