Highlight: Minnesota Healing Justice Network
A Black mother, father, and small child enjoying the beach. This photo is in the public domain.
Today marks three months since the tragic murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. We at North Country Food Alliance (NCFA) are inspired by the worldwide action that has emerged in support of the movement to defend Black lives during this time. However, in the wake of yet another shooting of an unarmed Black man, we must recognize that as allies we have much yet to accomplish. We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Blake and his loved ones, and express outrage at the white supremacist system that devalues the lives of BlPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) people.
We affirm our solidarity with the BLM movement to honor, defend, and respect Black lives. To help spread awareness and support, NCFA highlights one organization each month that works for the health, well-being, and dignity of Black lives and BIPOC communities. This month, we highlight the Minnesota Healing Justice Network.
From their website: “The Minnesota Healing Justice Network is a collaborative network of over 100 community healers, bodyworkers & birthworkers, therapists & herbalists, artists & educators, nurses & more centering the wellness of Black and Brown families through mutual aid, health equity, and solidarity.
“The Solidarity network is a diverse circle of humans - from Minnesota and beyond, women and men, cis, trans, and non-gender conforming folks from all walks of life, families, and perspectives - who recognize their areas of privilege and are committed to healing justice and equity. We work alongside the MN Healing Justice Network in solidarity by offering our time, skills, social networks and resources, and standing by as specific needs arise.
“4 Ways to Help:
Have an anti-racist perspective
Press for legislative and policy change
Share your time & social networks
Make long-term investments through money & resources
“There are many ways to be a part of this movement, because no matter what your race, class, age, gender presentation or sexual orientation, each of us is diminished by racism in health care and the fact that black and brown babies and mothers die at alarming and unacceptable rates. The mission of health care is to care for all bodies, not the privileged few, and we envision a health system that is more diverse, more sensitive and more responsive to all. As Paul Wellstone famously said, ‘We all do better, when we all do better.’ The disparities in our cities are overwhelming, but we hope this list is not! Feel free to begin with 1 or 2 ideas that resonate most with you, and if any new ideas or projects emerge, please keep the voices of those most impacted by these issues at the center of conversations and decisions.”
Please see their website for more details on these four recommendations. You can also get involved through their mutual aid spreadsheet, and get connected through this form.
Thank you for supporting the health and wellness of BIPOC communities in the Twin Cities.
In Solidarity for a Better World,
The Workers of NCFA