To The Friends and Family of OrcaSong,

We are writing to you today to acknowledge current events and to speak out about what we are called to do at this moment. As a women-led, LGBTQ+ owned, managed, and allied small farm we are concerned about current events and the goal of dignity and justice for everyone. We must admit we as a society have not done enough in the face of police brutality and systemic racism and are now reorienting ourselves to respond meaningfully, starting by listening, learning, and taking action. We have gathered some of what we have heard from the community here and want to share it with you so as to amplify what needs to be done.
 

National Day of Mourning

Today, Thursday, June 4th, we are asked to observe a national day of mourning and think about how we show up for racial justice at this moment.
 

Learning & Listening

On this day of reflection, and many days moving forward, we are called to educate ourselves. Here are resources we’ve gathered from our community that is by no means comprehensive, but a good place to start:

• An anti-racist reading list by (the author of How to Be an Anti-Racist)
• 26 Ways to Be in the Struggle Beyond the Streets 
• Anti-racist Resources for White People
• 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

Taking Action

We are also called to take action. Once again, this is just a starting point: 

Donate to Memorial and Justice Funds

• Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
• Tony McDade Memorial Fund
• Justice for Breonna Taylor Petition

Donate to National Bail Out Funds

• Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County Freedom Fund
• Northwest Community Bail Fund

Uplift and Donate to the Black LGBTQ+ Community

• Black Visions Collective
• WFPC Mutual Aid Fund
• The Okra Project

Support policy reform and voting rights

• National Police Accountability Project
• 8 Can’t Wait by Campaign Zero  
• Not This Time
• Fair Fight

• Follow black organizers (like @blklivesmatter, @reclaimtheblock, @colorofchange).

• Share black stories, art, and uplift black voices.

• Call your elected officials. 

• Vote. 

• Protest.

• Support black-owned businesses.

• Talk to friends and family about social justice issues. This may not be easy, but it is the work we must do to bring those close to us to consciousness. 

OrcaSong's Position

OrcaSong Farm was created with the desire to foster healing and connection while supporting the community of this small island, as well as our customers and friends throughout the world. As a women-led, LGBTQ+ owned, operated, and allied small farm, we welcome everyone and create a nourishing space that respects all people and the land. We acknowledge that in order to truly meet our mission, we must also take actions for equity and address anti-racist work in this context head-on. 

We are anti-racist. We are not neutral. As the noted gay, black American James Baldwin said over fifty years ago, “Precisely at the point you begin to develop a conscience you must find yourself at war with society.” We stand against white supremacy. We will listen. We will learn. We will work on improving our own hearts first so we can help to build the society we all deserve. Where we can do better, we will. We will do our part to help in the fight to defeat the systemic racism that has poisoned our country for over four hundred years. We are in solidarity with those reeling from the ongoing terror of being black in America. No justice, no peace.

Thank you all for being with us on this journey.

The OrcaSong Team