Dear Friends of Interfaith Outreach,
On April 20, Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer responsible for the death of George Floyd, was convicted of murder by a jury of his peers. While the verdict holds Chauvin accountable for his actions, there is still work we need to do within our communities.
In the context of civil rights, Floyd’s killing sparked a broader conversation regarding the inequity of Black people and other people of color around access to food, clothing, housing and employment opportunities. Against this backdrop, Interfaith Outreach’s work has never been more important, our mission more meaningful, our purpose more powerful: Equity in all things for all people. We will allow no one in our communities to be held back or to be held down.
As we work together to transform our communities, the role you play has never been more important. And yet, for many this is an emotional time triggering fear, anger and sadness. Below are resources to support you as you process this challenging moment in calm and peace.
The circumstances of George Floyd’s murder compel us to assert the humanity of our community members who are people of color. The tragic fact that this “opportunity” continues to plague our city and nation does not diminish the urgency of this imperative. We must continue to connect through courageous conversations, focus on solutions, and ignite our community to overcome systemic and individual barriers to improve the quality of life for all of our neighbors.
For the energy and commitment you bring to this shared endeavor, I thank you.
Your ED,
Kevin Ward
Executive Director
RESOURCES related to the trial
- Self-Care for Activists (Augsburg University’s Center for Wellness and Counseling)—includes links to multiple resources
- Trial Community support (The Legal Rights Center)—includes weekly community restorative processing sessions on Zoom, resources for youth who are processing the trial, and explanations of a criminal trial
- Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Bulletin: Mental Health Check-in—In the midst of the Derek Chauvin trial, another cop has killed yet another Black man and Black communities are exhausted. Join Dr. Joi Lewis, Sam Simmons, and Catrice Jackson for a mental health check-in. YouTube video (1 hour 10 minutes)
- Stories and Voices from Activists in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis, November 13th, 2020—University of Minnesota’s Interdisciplinary Collaborative Workshop Program. YouTube video (1 hour 40 minutes)
RESOURCES related to RACIALIZED TRAUMA
- Black Mental Health Resources (SELF Magazine)—People and organizations to follow on social media and directories for Black therapists
- Counter Stories Podcast: We Want Life—As we find ourselves mourning for another unarmed Black man killed by police, the Counter Stories crew reflect on the trauma our communities are experiencing. We’re joined by lawyer and mother Calandra Revering who penned a letter to her son that touched the hearts of all who read it. (44 minutes)
- Healing from Racial Trauma (Augsburg University’s Center for Wellness and Counseling)—includes links to multiple resources
- Racial Stress and Self-Care: Parent Tip Tool (American Psychological Association’s RESilience Initiative)—resource for parents
- Racial Trauma (Mental Health America)—Directories of therapists for various cultural groups
- Coping with Racial Trauma (Workplace Options)—includes links to multiple resources
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Disasters and Other Traumatic Events: What Parents, Rescue Workers, and the Community Can Do (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Racialized Communal Trauma: Prep, Context and Healing Remembrance Utilizing Cultural Somatics & Psychological First Aid (MN Dept of Health and Resmaa Menakem, author of “My Grandmother’s Hands”)—YouTube video (1 hour 8 minutes)
- Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence (Child Mind Institute)—tips and additional resources