We stand in solidarity with black people around the world. And we want to do more to help, but we’re not sure how.
We’ve spoken with some of our African-Canadian teammates and they’ve told us of how they have come to accept a fear, even here in Canada, that people of European descent just don’t experience.
This has to stop.
If you have some ideas, please share them in the comments below. One of the best things I've heard in the last several months is to listen and learn. We are all ears.
Comments
We must educate ourselves by reading and listening to Black authors and activists. It would be good to highlight Black designers of your T-shirt’s and more political slogans that promote diversity.
Encourage people of color to come forward and share their stories to open peoples eyes . I am a 54 year old white Woman who is NOT racist so I was in the dark as to how many people still are . It saddens me to know that white people can be so shallow to believe their lighter skin makes them superior . We all walk this earth together . I love and embrace diversity . It’s what makes us all individuals . That’s to be celebrated . I am ashamed to be considered Caucasian right now .
A mentor of mine told me once that I should consider what brings me joy and Consider what the world needs, and then figure out how to offer what brings me joy in a way that gives the world something it needs.
In ETEE’s case, you are already offering products that help fill the need for plastic-free living. Are there ways you can use what you’re already doing to help fill the need to support the black community? Is there a place you can donate that supports environmental equity? Is there something product-wise that you can offer in a special way? Can you organize a clean-up of a city in Canada or the US, and hit EVERY neighborhood no matter who lives there?
These are probably imperfect suggestions from a person who is also trying to figure it out. But you guys do something special, and therefore you have something special to offer, I’m certain of that.
It always stands out to me how frequently and genuinely you reach out for the support and feedback of your customers. I love that and I hope you never stop doing it.
I really want to understand how this country got here. I have been reading a lot of different views… and I mean different views. One book at I have found to be very informative is “White Fragility” by Robin Diangelo. To quote her “Racial inferiority was created to justify unequal treatment” of people used as resources, such as work laborers… i.e. Slavery. "first we exploited people for their resources, not according to how they looked. Exploitation came, first, and then the ideology of unequal races to justify this exploitation followed. Race is a social construction and I am as much a victim of white privilege simply because I have been catigorized as caucasian. We did not buy slaves and of course never would, but we need to understand how our laws were written based on the economy at the time, and the economy depended on slaves. Our laws now need to change to protect all people equally. To do that we need to VOTE. It is the first step to change. Please people READ THIS BOOK… and talk to people rationally, people that are different. We must first understand and accept ourselves to understand and accept others.
Hey Steve and etee crew,
The best thing we can do right now to support the black community is to educate yourself on the history of the why and how we got to this point. Black people have been taught it their whole lives and we’ve had the privilege to ignore it. Don’t ask them to explain it to you, do the work yourself. Secondly, donate. Donate. Donate and support black run businesses and charitable organizations that support the movement. Finally, do not stop acknowledging racism. ALWAYS say something. Have those tough conversations with friends and family about their prejudices. Just be honest, learn, and grow from this experience.
Hey Steve and etee crew,
The best thing we can do right now to support the black community is to educate yourself on the history of the why and how we got to this point. Black people have been taught it their whole lives and we’ve had the privilege to ignore it. Don’t ask them to explain it to you, do the work yourself. Secondly, donate. Donate. Donate and support black run businesses and charitable organizations that support the movement. Finally, do not stop acknowledging racism. ALWAYS say something. Have those tough conversations with friends and family about their prejudices. Just be honest, learn, and grow from this experience.
Maybe in the present, people of European descent don’t experience as much fear now but my grandfather was Italian and was ostracised; treated like a 2nd class citizen not only due to his ethnicity but his faith. Signs on businesses in the late 1920’s in Toronto read: Catholics need not apply". He had to create his own company hauling metal, shovelling coal into people’s basements, teaching music lessons to feed his wife and 5 sons. Treat others as you wish to be treated.
Create a program that allows young business majors to buy into your company at a special low price and sell your product.
It is sickening to see that racism is resurfacing in our country. Not only towards African Americans but also to all ethnicity’s that are brown skinned. I think it is important to reflect and bring to light that we should no longer discriminate and treat ANY person of ANY brown skinned culture. Our country is not just black and white. Our conversations should not be only be about black and white. We should be REMEMBERING the other beautiful ethnicities that the European immigrants have looked down upon for centuries. Just as the white man lynched and beat the abused the African-American population which they forced into their abuse of power, they have done the same to the Native American Indians , Native Mexicans, and any other ethnicity not from Europe. They just don’t get remembered. Instead lost somewhere in American history. Intentionally “put in their place.” Deliberately attempted to be erased. Racism should be against the law, and the constitution should be edited to fit the 21st century with the freedom of speech allowed for everyone EXCEPT when used to be racist! George Floyd should have never been treated that way, EVER! This country is furious that there is still a divide that exists. What ever you decide to do to help, I just hope that you choose to include and remember ALL brown skinned people.
Listen to, or read, Thomas King, black author