We at Handknit Yarn Studio stand with the Black community against discrimination and racial injustice. While what is happening south of our border is terrible, we also acknowledge that racism is not a uniquely American problem; we need to do better as Canadians to address the systemic inequalities of Black and Indigenous communities in our own country.

We are committed to educating ourselves, our families and peers, and to do what we can to affect change in favour of Black, Indigenous and POC everywhere. We know that getting started is often the hardest part, so we've compiled a short list of resources to learn more, and we encourage you to do so as well. Here are some ways you can listen, learn, and give back in our community.

LISTEN

Who we're listening to in the knitting/making community:

• Support designers https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/bipoc-designers-13  
• Diane Ivey, indie dyer based in Boston, MA
• Alishia McCullough, licensed mental health therapist and social justice warrior 
• Felicity (Felix) Ward, knitter and sound artist
• Jeanette Sloan, author of Black People Do Knit
  
  

LEARN

Some books and resource we're using to learn more about race and racism in the world: 

• The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
• The Skin We're In, Desmond Cole
• Shut Up, You're Pretty, Tea Mutonji
• Look at this diagram of overt and covert types of racism - and reflect on where you see them play out in your life and community and speak up when you witness them. 
• This article from the Atlantic is great at explaining why colourblindness is a counterproductive ideology.
• Check out this list from the Hamilton Public Library for other great books to read - many of which are available as books, eBooks, and audiobooks.
• Support Black Canadian Bookstores
• Try Libro.fm for audiobooks, your first book is free. As an added bonus, you'll have the option to support a local bookstore of your choice.
• What does it mean to defund the police? Check out this Canadian specific page for more information. 

GIVE BACK

• Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion works in our community to create a welcoming and inclusive city.
• The Coalition of Black and Racialized Artists (COBRA) in Hamilton
• Support Black-owned Hamilton businesses - find a great in-progress crowd-sourced list here. 
• Donate to the Black Health Alliance, who works to improve the health and wellbeing of Black communities - many of whom experience healthcare barriers
• If you aren't sure how to help Hamilton/GTA community right now, consider donating to a local bail fund to support protesters.

 

When you're ready for more resources, check out this Ally Toolkit for Canadians.