June 1, 2020
DanceATL is a multi-ethnic, multiple racial organization that stands in solidarity with the black community during this time of crisis. Members of the dance community in Atlanta created DanceATL as a service organization for dancers who live and create in our city. From the outset, DanceATL has been committed to principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, and racial and social justice. We aim to serve the entire dance community in Atlanta and will continue to work and grow our reach to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), communities we may not have reached prior. As outlined in our Mission Statement, “We connect artists to resources, grow and engage audiences in the city, and support the full range of the industry by cultivating an awareness and appreciation of dance that is sustainable and expansive.” We share in the responsibility to dismantle the legacy of racism and white-supremacy and seek justice for George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and countless others who have had their lives stolen through racial violence.
There is no question that there is a lot of work to be done. We support organizations that have started the work and continue to do so. Myself, our Founding Board of Directors, and our volunteers are working to identify what we can do to further support BIPOC now and in our long-term plans and programming. To start, below are some resources for everyone to take action and to continue to educate ourselves. If you have anything you’d like us to share, please send to info@danceatl.org. More information about a listening session and further plans will be released once they become available.
Now is not the time to be silent. To our Black community, we see you, we hear you and we support you.
In solidarity,
Jacquelyn Pritz and DanceATL
As with all of our resource pages, this information will be continuously updated.
George Floyd Memorial Fund
Minnesota Freedom Fund
Black Visions Collective
Reclaim the Block
Campaign Zero
Unicorn Riot
Black Lives Matter
American Civil Liberties Union
Colors of Change
Innocence Project
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Center for Black Equity – Your gift to the Center for Black Equity will help us build a global network of LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, community-based organizations and prides dedicated to achieving equality and social justice for Black LGBTQ+ community through Health Equity, Economic Equity and Social Equity
Atlanta Solidarity Fund– A fund to support people in Atlanta who have been arrested for taking action against social injustice. Focused primarily on bailing out arrestees, with priority for those who have the most need.
Anti-racism Resources for White People provided by goodgoodgood
“This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues.”
This document includes sections: resources for white parents to raise anti-racist children, a list of articles to read, videos to watch, podcasts to subscribe to, books to read, films and tv series to watch, organizations to follow, and more!
Timeline: By the end of his life, Martin Luther King realized the validity of violence
Dance/NYC: Open letter to the dance community in response to the murders of black people
- End broken windows policing
- Community oversight
- Limit use of force
- Independently investigate and prosecute
- Community representation
- Body cams/film the police
- Training
- End for-profit policing
- Demilitarization
- Fair police union contracts
BIPOC Project Solidarity Principles
- Decolonize Stories – Seek, learn, share and affirm the distinct histories of BIPOC communities; and unlearn dominant narratives
- Develop a Power Analysis – Consider how each BIPOC community is differently situated in the racial hierarchy and differently affected by issues
- Uplift Native and Black Humanity – Honor the legacies of Native and Black resistance to colonization and white supremacy; and actively examine how disparities and injustices uniquely affect Native and Black communities
- Organize Your People – ‘Call in’ your communities to deeper understanding and empathy for all BIPOC communities with love and compassion
- Build Intergroup Connections and Relationships – Build just relationships; and invest in one another’s liberation
- Commit to Personal and Collective Healing – Practice both individual and community care; acknowledge ruptures and invite connection; and center healing and transformative justice
How to Support the Black Dance Community, Beyond Social Media
The dance community’s response to the death of George Floyd was immediate and sweeping on social media. Dance artists, including Desmond Richardson and Martha Nichols, used their social platforms to make meaningful statements about racial inequality. Theresa Ruth Howard‘s leadership spurred ballet companies including Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre, and New York City Ballet to pledge that #BalletRelevesForBlackLives. Among the most vocal supporters have been dance students, who continue to share the faces and gut-wrenching last words of Black men and women who have died in police custody on their Instagram feeds and Stories.
The work being done on social media as a community is important and necessary—and we should keep at it. But now, that momentum must also carry us into taking action. Because to be a true ally, action is required.
A responsible ally amplifies Black voices. They choose to listen rather than speak. And they willingly throw their support, and, if they can, their dollars, behind Black dancers and Black dance organizations. Here are some ways you can do your part.
JUSTICE AND EQUAL DIGNITY FOR BLACK LIVES
The recent murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd and the frustration felt in communities of color regarding police violence against black and brown bodies have rocked our nation once again. We all have a role to play in calling out injustice and creating change in our systems.
We invite you to watch our open conversation around the events sparked by the murder of George Floyd with The Center, activists Johnetta Elzie and Allison Bantimba, and Atlanta City council member Andre Dickens. We hope that this dialogue will foster hope and spark actions to create change.
How to Protest Safely: What to Bring, What to Do, and What to Avoid
Know Your Rights: Protestors’ Rights
How to Safely Support Black Lives Matter Online
Support Black Owned
Support Black Owned (SBO) is a free Black and African American owned business directory and blog filled with thousands of 100% Black, Moorish, and African American owned businesses, spread all over the world. Our goal is to list every Black Owned business, church, entertainer, restaurant, etc, in the whole world. Our Black Business Directory offers a free listing and is the “BEST” resource for Black owned businesses (learn more). We believe that all black businesses, whether large or small have the right to be represented online, and SBO can help you gain more exposure with lower prices than the competition. So join today to add your business to our Black business list or help circulate the Black dollar by patronizing one of the businesses that you find on our directory.