#solidarity sistas

[the-holistic-goddess]

Honoring Black Maternal Health Week: April 11th - April 17th

From April 11th to April 17th, we recognize Black Maternal Health Week, a crucial time to raise awareness about the unique challenges and disparities faced by Black birthing mothers, birthing parents, and their families. This week is especially significant as it begins with the International Day of Maternal Health and Rights on April 11th, highlighting the intersectionality of maternal health and human rights.

Black Maternal Health Week shines a spotlight on the alarming disparities in maternal health outcomes experienced by Black mothers and birthing parents. Despite advances in medical care, Black women are disproportionately affected by pregnancy-related complications and have significantly higher rates of maternal mortality compared to their white counterparts. Black infants also face higher rates of mortality and morbidity, highlighting systemic inequities in access to quality healthcare and support.

It is unacceptable that in the United States, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. These disparities persist regardless of socioeconomic status, education level, or access to healthcare. Structural racism, bias, and unequal treatment within the healthcare system contribute to these disparities, perpetuating a cycle of inequity and injustice.

During Black Maternal Health Week, we stand in solidarity with Black mothers, and birthing parents, families, and communities, and we amplify their voices in calling for action. We demand policies and programs that prioritize maternal health equity, address systemic barriers to care, and center the experiences and needs of Black birthing individuals. We advocate for culturally competent care, access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, and support for maternal mental health.

As we observe Black Maternal Health Week, let's continue to take action to address the disparities in maternal health outcomes. Let's educate ourselves and our communities about the root causes of these disparities and the importance of advocating for change. Let's support organizations and initiatives that work to improve Black maternal health and empower birthing parents to navigate the healthcare system with dignity and respect. If we work together, we can create a future where every mother and family receives the care and support they deserve, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Organizations that we can support or promote to our Black Communities for assistance:

- Black Mamas Matter Alliance

- Black Women's Health Imperative

- National Birth Equity Collaborative

- Sista Midwife Productions

- National Black Doulas Association

- SisterSong

- The Shades of Blue Project

- Mamatoto Village

- Black Birth Justice

- Loveland Foundation

- Every Mother Counts

- Momology Maternal Wellness Club

- Sisters in Loss

- Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings

Dr. Deilen Michelle Villegas, Ph.D., DNM- Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Traumatic Stress Expert, Trauma Recovery and Behavioral Health Specialist, Certified Holistic Doula

[wosocomix]

I’m “on holiday”… but I have to work remotely. I hate it. Solidarity ✊

Thank you, sista. We can do it. 🥲

[sistazai]

This photo was taken years ago. I cannot remember the exact year but it’s the year I interviewed Dr Cornel West as an exclusive for the Community Radio Network. The producer worked for a Sydney community radio station and she gave great guidance in the lead up and with the edit. I was so nervous on the day we recorded the interview that I asked a fellow 3CR announcer to come into the studio to support me as the engineer and technician. No woman is an island. No woman stands alone. . . At the time of this interview, I co-hosted a Women’s & Indigenous Hip Hop Show called Hip Sista Hop. So, I was keen to talk with Dr West about his Spoken word albums and the importance of music for the revolution. This interview was all before The streets influenced Kendrick and Beyoncé (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!). . . The reason why I’m posting this pic from the archives is because yesterday I wrote that love/compassion/empathy/whatever you want to label it, “… feels like singing in a choir. You have to listen for all the parts and stay true to your own melody in the harmony. Harmonising is a practice, like love. It’s something I learned purposefully. I still fuck it up. And I keep trying. Just like my relationships.” I learned that from this interview with Brother West. We spoke about Music and Movements, Radical Love and Solidarity. We also spoke about the “Black Prophetic Voice” and how it’s not linked to a particular skin colour but rather to those folks who courageously stand up for the truth in a culture of mendacity (aka capitalist fuckshit). . . I love radio because I learn so much by listening to the interviewees in the moment. Sure, there’s preparation involved but really listening allows their narrative to guide the questions I ask. It becomes a conversation. A harmony. Radio interviewing is one of my favourite forms of storytelling. . . Would you like to listen? Screen shot this caption. Click on the links below and it’ll take you to the interview on SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/zai-selects/dr-cornel-west Or on MixCloud: https://m.mixcloud.com/zaiselects/dr-cornel-west-interview-with-sista-zai/ . . Create a beautiful day, my loves 🖤 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkHFWq3B0oc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[heavyweightheart]

For the last few weeks, I’ve been going through it. First there was the constant stream of news about the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on Black communities, then came the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade at the hands of police and the wrongful death of Ahmaud Arbery. Meanwhile I’m navigating this pandemic along with everyone else, and trying to figure out how to make a positive impact along the way. It’s been dizzying. And I know I’m not alone.

According to Naj Austin, founder of the social community for people of color Ethel’s Club, all of those complex feelings and mixed emotions are normal in times of crisis and collective trauma. Ethel’s Club, which previously offered free mental health counseling for members in its Brooklyn location, has now transitioned to a digital model. “The great thing about a healing space like Ethel’s Club is that it takes our identity, and everything that comes with that, into account. You can’t talk about these complex feelings without talking about Blackness.” The club’s online community is hosting free, hour-long grieving sessions twice monthly.

For many Black people practicing social distancing, the need for virtual resources has never been more clear. So, I’ve compiled a list of six more mental health resources, in addition to Ethel’s Club, that are providing virtual support to the Black community right now. However you choose to grieve, process, and/or stand in solidarity, remember that you’re not alone, and that your personhood and wellness still matter.

Dive in Well

Maryam Ajayi founded Dive in Well, an organization offering digital classes on various wellness practices, to create a more inclusive wellness industry. Dive in Well hosts donation-based digital events like breathwork classes and therapy sessions aimed at centering self care.

Sista Afya

This Chicago-based, community-driven organization provides women from across the Black diaspora with low-cost group therapy sessions, workshops, and free online conversations known as Online Sista Support Groups, which cover topics like managing the stress sparked by consuming news.

Healhaus

Founders Darian Hall and Elisa Shankle created this space in Brooklyn to provide accessible and inclusive wellness to their community. HealHaus is currently closed, but their ethos has continued virtually through live streamed classes, including a healing cypher for men of color.

Therapy for Black Girls

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford founded this organization to combat the stigma around therapy that might otherwise prevent Black women from seeking care. Now, TBG has become a successful podcast, a directory that aims to connect women with culturally competent therapists, as well as a private community Facebook support group. The organization holds free group support sessions weekly on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. EST.

The Nap Ministry

Performance artist and poet Tricia Hersey founded The Nap Ministry to champion Black rest as a form of reparations and resistance against burnout culture and capitalism. While she normally hosts free pop-ups where visitors can take brief naps and workshops in the Atlanta area, Hersey has been using Instagram to provide mini sermons about the importance of slowing down and getting more sleep when you’re a Black person fighting oppression day-in and day-out.

Inclusive Therapists

Austin-based therapist Melody Li founded the Inclusive Therapists database to provide therapists with training for racial trauma and connect people of all identities, abilities, and bodies with culturally sensitive care. Li herself, and many other therapists in the Inclusive Therapists network, offer reduced-fee teletherapy options to ensure that financial limitations do not keep people from pursuing care. Decolonizing Therapy and Viva Wellness are two other therapy practices with active online platforms.

[karajaynetoday]

hi i’m dropping in to say that i too was in jazz band in school and now i can’t stop thinking about annoying ashton on a day the teacher isn’t there 🥺 jazz band student ashton sparked something in me tonight

gemma omg i was also in concert band so solidarity sista (we only had one version of band) and lemme tell you - high school music student ashton? THE BEST 

like this interview (it's from five years ago but it is SO WHOLESOME) where Ashton talks to his old teachers and they mention how he volunteered to paint the music classroom on a weekend?? 

"thank you so much for motivating my school life" "he was a pleasure to have in every ensemble he played in" "centre stage every time" like STOP IT TOO MUCH 🥺🥺🥺 

also ashton loving the canteen ladies because they gave him free food, a MOOD

[cozycosmos]

hi friends,

please take a moment to read, though i know all of our media is saturated with this sort of content right now.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

this account stands in solidarity with the protests happening all around the united states. this account believes in justice for George Floyd, justice for all those who proceeded him in his unrightful death due to police brutality and racism, justice for black lives and black futures. this is a pro-black space and i will under no circumstances tolerate or serve anyone who does not feel the same way.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

now,

if you are feeling anxious, sad, overwhelmed, angry, etc, and would like to talk to someone, please feel free to use me as a resource. let’s talk about it together. let’s talk through the grief, the pain, the hurt, the fear, the passion, the disappointment, the belief that things can and will get better + change.

i am swamped with emotions right now. it is exhausting, as it should be! it is exhausting to watch injustice happen over and over and over again. i would love nothing more than to be a source of comfort for those who feel similarly, to the best of my ability. it’s so easy to want to turn everything off, to put everything away. please take care of yourself while taking care of others.

do what you feel is right to support; speak up publicly if that’s what feels right to you. donate if you can. if you feel safe (in terms of covid) attending protests, than attend them. above all, fight and support in your own quiet ways. continue to do so even when this is over because it will never be over until there is no more of this awful hate that america founded and continues to profit from.

i will not judge you, i will not make you feel bad or guilty if you have questions or comments about what is happening. let’s help each other. let’s get through this together.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

✨for my black followers, here are 7 mental health resources just for you:

💛Dive in Well

💛Sista Afya

💛Therapy for Black Girls

💛Healhaus

💛Inclusive Therapists

💛Ethel’s Club

💛The Nap Ministry

✨funding racial justice: where to donate!

💛George Floyd Memorial Fund

https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

💛Minnesota Freedom Fund

https://minnesotafreedomfund.org

💛Black Visions Collective

https://www.blackvisionsmn.org

💛Reclaim the Block

https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home

💛Capaign Zero

https://www.joincampaignzero.org

💛Unicorn Riot

https://unicornriot.ninja

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

i see you. i hear you. i stand with you.

stay safe everyone 💛

love,

cozy

[firstnationsfashions]

Slaving for my sista! First Nations Fashion by Jill Setah Weatherbee. #decolonizethemind #indian #inca #powwow #northernnations #nativeamericanstyle #repost #firstnation #solidarity #photography #navajo #ojibwe #travel #traditional #beadwork #history #original #ndn #indigenouspeoplesmarch #tribe #indigenous #firstnations #nativeamerican #art #native #aboriginal #nature #nativepride #artist #indigenouspeople https://www.instagram.com/p/B4tP5w9lRxj/?igshid=1itvhtlu1e9la

[antifainternational]

December 1, Torino - Solidarity Is A Weapon !

Benefit BridgesAcrossBorders L’Edera Squat in collaborazione con il collettivo Malafemme ospiterà due serate di solidarietà e benefit per l’associazione Bridges Across Borders. Bridges Across Borders è formata da un gruppo di volontari che lavorano insieme nei Balcani, principalmente in Bosnia, per creare, sviluppare e gestire progetti per aiutare persone vulnerabili o per creare cambiamenti sociali positivi. Si lavora con i migranti che scappano dai propri paesi ed utilizzano la rotta balcanica per arrivare in Europa. Bridges Across Borders non ha costi di amministrazione poiché tutti i volontari sono autofinanziati; BAB è pertanto un’associazione completamente orizzontale, non si avvale per scelta di fondi europei e tutte le donazioni vanno direttamente a progetti di supporto nel campo o per affrontare necessità sul territorio bosniaco. BAB si propone come scopo di raccogliere beni di prima e seconda necessità (vedi sotto) per consegnarli direttamente ai rifugiati sul territorio e il benefit della serata sarà destinato alla distribuzione di pasti caldi, al recupero di medicinali essenziali, allo spostamento dei mezzi tra i vari campi. Il sito di riferimento dell’associazione é: www.bridgesacrossborders.net ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Giovedì 29 Novembre 2018 dalle ore 19 alle ore 23:30 ore 19 CENA BELLAVITA “porta ciò che vuoi trovare e mettiti a cucinare!” ore 21.30 proiezione del documentario “Human flow” Sabato 1 Dicembre dalle ore 18:30 alle ore 4 ore 18/18:30 APERICENA BENEFIT con CHILLOUT Malafemme ed esposizione fotografica su argomenti affini ore 21 presentazione del progetto e discussione sui temi dell’immigrazione ore 23 LIVE SHOW Sub Sista Kween D.O.L.O. Vea + Putt_o (liveset)

[rogerscupboard]

We are some kinky people...BUT I LOVE YALL SO MUCH 🥰 WE ARE FAMILYYYYYY I GOT ALL MY SISTAS AND MEEEE

we have SISTER SOLIDARITY here 💖 this is a sister safe space for every kinky queen thought you have No Need To Worry 🥰 and keep these sin sunday asks coming because i L O V E them

[fearnotthedemons]

hey. i love you and you are valid. id die for you

Wow same!!

[creativemedicinehtw]

If you’re Black and talking about building a wall, stfu! We owe Mexico for our freedom today. #vicenteguerrero helped runaway Africans reestablish their lives in Mexico, even gave them free land. The Mexican army defeat of the French prevented them from getting arms to the confederate army. We need to celebrate the fuck out of #cincodemayo we need to stand in solidarity with the #afromexican population also, they are our brothas and sistas #blackbrownpride #Mexico 🇲🇽 https://www.instagram.com/realnegus804/p/BxXRm52g44w/?igshid=1bef229l8wym7

[black-girls-wizdom]

Colorism

So, today my godmother and I had a very candid conversation about color within the African-American community. I am a dark skin black woman and she is light bright damn near white. I’m not trying to invalidate light skin black women struggles because at the end of the day we’re all sistas and we’re still niggas to them. However, your lighter skin and your curly hair is a somewhat of a privilege not only within your own race but with others as well. Maybe it’s “Willie Lynch” syndrome, you know “divide the blacks by skin tone and you’ll have control over them for the next 400 years .”It’s not verbatim so don’t quote me on this. I can’t speak from anyone else experiences but my own when I say that as a dark skin black woman you go through a lot of hell especially growing up. You struggle with the jokes, the “oh naw, I can’t wear this because my skin is too dark” or “You’re pretty. . . for a dark skin girl.” And this isn’t coming from white people this is coming from your own people. Within the black community there’s a hierarchy of some sought and we’re on the bottom of the totem pole. You have

Light/Dark Black Men

Light skin black women

Brown skin black women

Dark skin black women

Don’t let social media fool you niether, we aren’t quote on quote “popping” we’re more of a fantasy. It’s solidarity be damn when it comes to us. It’s only been in the last 5 or 10 years or so that we’ve become comfortable in the skin that we’re in that has allowed us to flourish beyond complexion. But it’s still a hindrance. It still holds us back to a certain extent. This is why as a whole black people, not only African-Americans, but blacks globally we must start a dialogue because we have been indoctrinated for 400 years to be complicit with the “light is right” narrative and we pass that on inadvertently generation after generation. It’s important because we have generations of dark skin black women bleaching their skin. You have little, beautiful, black girls harming themselves to pass the brown paper bag test. I feel in order for us to be on the same page we must teach the same narrative. We can’t be out here speaking on black power, black unity, and black love because the black community doesn’t love all of its black people. I love my people, I truly do but sometimes it’s hard because I don’t know if my people will ever truly love me back. Our brown eyes are amazing too when the sunlight hits them right and our black skin glistens in the moonlight. All we want is respect, because we have carried the brunt of the pain and injustices done against us and rarely speak a word of it because we expect it. We look in the mirror everyday and we speak our affrimations so that when we leave our homes we can gracefully accept the everyday rejection from our own people.

Um, I guess I’m done here. I’ve spoken my peace, feel free to comment because again, I can’t speak from anyone’s perspective but my own. However, I can do the next best thing and start a dialogue. Just know that in my opinion BLACK GIRLS are the most popping in every way, shape, form, and fashion!

[noemi-huizar-blog]

Blog #4:How is “representing” related to the construction of one’s subjective identity in hip-hop?

Representing has a much more intense connection to their identity in hip hop since it is a way, they would advertise their home territory proudly. “The Compton and South-Central LA crews were not only serving notice to their neighboring communities that they were in charge, but they were also serving notice to New York and the entire hip hop nation that the new sound had arrived and the balance of power” (262). Representing is a form to demonstrate to the other hip-hop communities how they have more power and who could make rhymes better than the rest. “Compton’s central significance is maintained through the lyrical representation of activities that are space-bound and which are then discursively traced onto the identities of the rappers who “claim” Compton as their own” (263). Since their city is what shapes them to become who they are they feel some type of ownership and duty to protect their home because “…for him the city also has a personally meaningful history that is manifested in his identity as a gangster turned rapper…” (262). In the “…Compton environment are defined as the product of an evolving growth process, as a child becomes a man” (262) because of the unfortunate circumstances they were living through and had to adapt and own their city for what it was. Although, “… it is an expression of spatial solidarity and loyalty to the hood, yet it also refers to the pronouncement of a life sentence and the apparent hopelessness of eternal imprisonment in the city’s streets and alleys” (263). Hip hop was their only hope of escaping their unfair environment and were able to in a way tell the community who had it worse and who was more influential and could recruit people to form a new community. The main point in representing is that “Framed in terms of gun violence and human decimation, these expressions are intended to diminish the presence of others who represent other cities and other hoods” (263) was to keep clear from any other hoods from invading their city with their music. They basically used their music to announce to the whole hip hop community who they are and specifically who they represent as a community.

The artist I choose to analyze was Coolio whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey. He is from the area of Compton from South Central L.A Some songs I found that were “representing/territorial” are: Gangsta’s Paradise, Rollin’ with My Homies, For My Sista’s, and The Revolution. In Gangsta’s Paradise the lines, “I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the stripes So I gotta be down with the hood team and my homies is down so don't arouse my anger, fool Death ain't nothin' but a heartbeat away I'm livin' life, do or die, what can I say.” Here we can see how the gangs were intertwined with their music and how they are proudly representing and fear no competition. Some lines in Rollin with my homiesare, “I'm seein' bodiez in the alley and blood in the valley From the shores of Maine all the way to Compton Cali I'm callin' rally to the homies in the street lightI'm doin' some recruitin' to bring mo' troops in Niggaz don't be doin' what they 'posed to do.” Here we see how explicit they talk about what is going on in their territory and how they are very much serious about the roles they represent and are welcoming more to expand their reach. The lines For my sistas are, “This goes out to the young black queens On the neighborhood scene Who haven't lost their dream I know sometimes it seems like it ain't no love And to get where you go ya got to push an' shove Around the way girl with hope in your heart I know it's gettin' scary And all these wannabe pimps is all that ya meet But ya gotta shake 'em off like fleas an' n**** meat And use your God-given talents and abilities.” In these lines it shows how as a group they made sure to reach out to everyone in their territory and for anyone who isn’t aren’t worthy of being talked to and should be tossed like they’re no one since they aren’t representing with the group they can only be tossed a side.

[ummmaymoonah]

🍃 Solidarity

In our travels between our homes and the outside world where we often find ourselves the only Muslimah on the train or on the sidewalk (pavement), amidst the strangeness of it all, you are greeted by one of your own, your sista!

Whether it be a subtle head nod or slight smirk, this simple sisterhood is a universal code that instantly gives us a sense of relief, a sense of belonging if you would. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala tells us the etiquette of offering and returning greetings of salaam among the Muslims. He Az Wa jal says,

وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَآ أَوْ رُدُّوهَآ “And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with a better greeting or (at least) return it (in a like manner).” Surah an-Nisa Ayah 86

Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): “Which act in Islam is the best?” He (ﷺ) replied, “To give food, and to greet everyone, whether you know or you do not.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Sisterhood is something worthy of establishing and taken care of:

This sisterhood in action is witnessed by taking care of each other. But what is the force and motivation behind taking care of each other, when we so often see examples of women competing with each other and putting each other down? Why is it strange for sisters to genuinely make an effort with each other? Why must there be motives behind it other than Allah? Isn’t it true that when we love someone for the sake of Allah this action in itself brings us closer to Allah?

“None of you truly believes (in Allah and in His religion) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Loving the believers for the sake of Allah, in truth is aiding us to draw closer to Allāh.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of that which will strengthen love between you? Spread (the greeting of) salaam amongst yourselves.” (A Hasan hadeeth. Jaami’ al-Tirmidhi, 2434).

[thesoulfulveganista]

*Womxn, femmes, and all feminine-aligned genders. This also goes for classism, heterosexism, cissexism, and alladat! Last night, I attended a beautiful workshop about Womxnism at @thefraybaltimore and was so moved by the sense of community in the space🙏🏾💕✨ —— I’ve already been into black feminism/womxnism for years now, but I learned so much in the few hours I was there and it inspired me to dig deeper. We don’t have to choose what to fight against when all systems are against us, so we have the right to call out said systems while finding our peace in the process. —— The best part is that we don’t need anyone’s permission to do it though we are always met with backlash for our resistance. Why though? What is so intimidating about black womxn and femmes seeking liberation? It doesn’t even matter because we’re going to finish what we started. Much love to all my sistas and gender non-conforming fam. I got your back✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 #solidarity #womxnism #blackfemmemagic #thesoulfulveganista https://www.instagram.com/p/Boy6fu2HUT8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9y36ymga06lo

[dawndcollins]

LiUANA ALWAYS has a sista's back in solidarity. We are about to hit these streets. #solidarity #Dawn2020 #MetroCouncil6 #liuna https://www.instagram.com/p/CFmnCckn4cb/?igshid=1rgbgz8r40cuq