John --
As people around the globe came together to celebrate, strike, and rally for May Day, Black communities in Michigan, and across the country, were calling out MayDay -- the universal sign of distress.
Distress is putting it lightly. Right now, we are dying at unfair and unjust rates compared to white folks. Black Michiganders account for over 40% of COVID-19 deaths, but make up less than 14% of our population.
Unfortunately, this trend is not unique to Michigan. Black people everywhere are being hit harder by this virus. Black people everywhere are dying at rates too high to ignore. We demand a racially equitable response to and recovery from COVID-19.
And so we keep calling: MayDay, MayDay!
Angela Water Austin, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Lansing and Black Lives Matter Michigan, is leading the chant -- and she wrote an opinion piece to make sure those in Washington hear it.
Hear her voice, add yours, and let’s amplify our message. Check out Angela’s Medium post, and share it with friends, family, and on social media.
Angela is calling on the people to stop putting their faith in government systems that continuously leave us behind and to start supporting the organizations that are on the ground doing the work to support our communities.
In Michigan alone, there are so many initiatives, including the newly-launched Black Lives Matter Michigan Fellowship for Black leaders. This program will help Black leaders build power and advocate for a racially responsible COVID-19 response across communities in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Benton Harbor, and Lansing.
We’re calling MayDay! And until those in charge start hearing it, we’re taking matters into our own hands to keep our loved ones safe in Michigan and across the country.
To learn more about the Black Lives Matter’s Michigan Fellowship for Black Leaders and their COVID-19 efforts, read Angela’s opinion piece, then share it and chip in to support their mission, if you’re able to at this time.
Thank you,
Black Lives Matter Action Fund
