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Dear John,
Since starting three years ago, the National Bailout Collective1 has bailed out over 450 Black women and caretakers across the country. In Maryland, over 50 Black women escaped the nightmare of a jail cell.
In preparation for next year’s Black Mama's Bail Out, local organizers in Maryland are taking their efforts to the next level by launching the first-ever #FreeBlackMamas house. The #FreeBlackMamas house will be a communal space for Black women to rest easy, breathe and clear their heads, get healthy, and most importantly, build their case for when they go back to court.
We know that getting released from jail is only half the battle. Once a Black woman is freed, she will need to find the resources to fight her charges, but that becomes increasingly difficult to do once her life has been disrupted by money bail. That is why we are raising money for #FreeBlackMamas DMV, so local activists can provide housing to recently bailed out Black women for at least one year. The #FreeBlackMamas house represents a chance to beat the odds.
Black women often serve as anchors for many Black families. Once a Black woman is jailed, she is more likely to disappear into the system because there is hardly anyone to support her. She is often alone. And while a Black woman sits in a cage, awaiting trial, she could lose her job, her home and in some circumstances, even her children.
Thankfully, we have another vision that is powered by our love for Black women. In the #FreeBlackMamas house, Black women will receive access to legal support, career coaching, and the chance to participate in wellness programs such as art, yoga, and so much more. Black women will also be able to connect with each other as they begin to navigate the criminal legal system. This is Black love in action. This is what true community looks like. And this is where you come in, John. We need your support to make it happen.
If we raise $20,000 in the next 4 weeks, the #FreeBlackMamas House can get off to a good start. Here's how.
- If 25 people give $25 then the cost of groceries will be covered for at least one month.
- If 50 people give $50 then Black mamas will not have to worry about childcare expenses as they work to rebuild their lives.
- If 100 people give $100 then Black women will have a guaranteed roof over their heads in 2020.
For too long, the money bail system has wreaked havoc in our community. In fact, the two billion dollar bail bond industry is quite literally profiting from the separation and destruction of Black families. But we are creating something new -- something more powerful with the #FreeBlackMamas house. Since we started doing Mama’s Day Bailouts 458 women have been reunited with their families. We can do so much more -- but it starts with your contribution.
Until justice is real,
-- Clarise, Rashad, Arisha, Scott, Erika, Malachi, Marybeth, Madison, Leonard, Marena, Tamar, Neosho and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References:
- National Bailout Collective. 2019.
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