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black lives matter means that black artists matter. we must hold our broadway community accountable. here’s a very minimal list of black-centered educational resources that theatre folks can utilize:

Things to read/watch/listen to

american son on netlfix- adapted from the broadway play, stars kerry washington and directed by kenny leon (a raisin in the sun, a soldier’s play). discusses anti-black police brutality, raising biracial children, black cops, & more. bring tissues and take notes. (tw: gunshot noises in second half). (1.5 hours)

“broadway is racist”- video made by actor and playwright griffin mathews (witness uganda/invisible thread) regarding his experiences as a black creator on broadway. includes issues with “diverse” shows, his play’s name change, and white creatives in power who do not speak up for black voices in the arts. (7 min)

“broadway’s jelani alladin explains why white silence is so painful”- I encourage you to not only watch this video, but also follow jelani (frozen, hercules) on his socials to further your education on anti-black issues that broadway regularly ignores. (3 min)

#starsinthehouse episode- seth & james shift their twice-daily show to raise money for the NAACP defense fund, talking about broadway silence and black equity issues with schele williams (original cast of aida and set to direct the revival) and afro-latinx actor robin de jesus (in the heights, the boys in the band). parts of this made me smile and laugh, and others made me stop and asses. a part of this is also recognizes appropriate etiquette regarding non-black LGBT folks and black allyship. (1 hour)

this list of black-created plays you can use as a resource to research or purchase to watch. some well-known names include: a raisin in the sun, schoolgirls: or, the african mean girls play, eclipsed, choir boy.

@blackonbroadway - a blog dedicated to spotlighting black artists and achievements in theatre.

“black lives matter: a virtual celebration of black theatre artists”- broadway sessions held a virtual fundraiser for BLM on june 4, but this video is still relevant in centering black artists and their thoughts on anti-racism and police brutality. features artists from: six, hamilton, tina, ragtime, and more. (3.5 hours)

HIGHER- a playlist amplifying black artists and stories in theatre, both on stage and behind the scenes. please read the caption before listening.

Organizations to support, donate, and sign 

NAACP legal defense fund

Broadway for Racial Justice / direct links to the Nederlander petition (who continuously donates to tr*mp) and BFRJ donations

Broadway Black / direct links to donate and sign

Broadway Diversity Project 

Black Lives Matter resource card

petition to make the apollo theater an official broadway house- there are currently zero black theatre owners. contribute by signing to make the change.

Broadway for Black Lives Matter- held by the broadway advocacy coalition from june 10th-12th. register now.

“what I think about when I hear that broadway is racist”- by heathcliff saunders, who explains how Black bodies are treated onstage most often as a dismissal of actual Black character and distinction within the casting of Black bodies alone. includes analysis of Black characters in: hairspray, the wiz, rent, dear evan hansen, hamilton, once on this island, dream girls, legally blonde, etc.

Broadway Black’s inaugural Antonyo Awards- a celebration of the Black broadway and off-broadway community, which will be held on Juneteenth (friday, june 19, 2020) at 7pm EST on the Broadway Black youtube channel. VOTING FOR ALL CATEGORIES IS NOW OPEN!

the wiz live! & NAACP fundraiser- the show must go on youtube channel is screening The WIZ LIVE! on June 12, 2020. this will be available for free, streaming for 48 hours only and will primarily hold fundraising for the NAACP as well as covid-19 related organizations. (link for direct sharing: xxx)

Here is a compilation of places to donate (IF you can, simply reblogging and sharing this can help) and petition to sign. I found these websites and organizations on twitter.

DONATIONS

THE MINNESOTA  FREEDOM FUND: Donate to this to collect funds to pay jail bonds for the protesters who get arrested.

BLACK LIVES MATTER: An organization fighting for the BLM movement. Donate if you can. 

BLACK VISIONS MN: an organization that is led by Black, Queer and Trans people. Donate if you can.

NAACP Legal Defense Fund: Fights for the overall equality fight. Donate if you can.

PETITIONS

Willie Simmons has spent 38 years in prison for a $9 robbery. He had two prior convictions similar to robbery that he served time for. He was prosecuted under the Alabama Habitual Offender law and was given a life sentence for his third strike - stealing 9 (NINE) dollars. Sign his petition. 

Breonna Taylor was killed by police who were conducting an UNANNOUNCED drug raid, where they gave no request to enter. They bashed her door and entered, shooting her EIGHT times. They were in the WRONG HOUSE. 

George Floyd was killed by a police officer who knelt on his neck and suffocated him to death, after George pleaded with the officer and told him he couldn’t breathe. The officer had pulled him from where he sat in his car on an alleged FORGERY. You can also text “FLOYD” to 55156

ARREST THE OFFICERS WHO KILLED GEORGE FLOYD: The main police officer who murdered George is being kept in PROTECTIVE CUSTODY. You probably have heard he was arrested, but this is NOT TRUE. He was placed under PROTECTIVE custody because of the riots and “threats” on his life. 

northstar health collective, organized healthcare professionals working with anti-authoritarian groups

reclaim the block, a collective that aims to redistribute funding away from police and towards more community-oriented projects in minneapolis

these are the links i send to my facebook friends who keep running their mouths about “the protests hurting the community”

minnehaha food shelf & calvary church food shelf are both centered in the south minneapolis area where the riots started. the grocery stores in the area have been decimated, so food shelves and food insecurity charities need a lot of love right now.

northside funders group is a philanthropic group in the twin cities that’s using all its funds right now for helping local businesses

migizi is a native american media/history nonprofit whose office was destroyed in the riots

we love lake street is devoting funds specifically towards rebuilding the lake street area in south minneapolis

some more groups that could use your help

the healing justice foundation is a national nonprofit that’s specifically focusing on mental health resources for bipoc right now

ctul is a nonprofit focused on low-wage workers and workers rights in minnesota

mpd 150 is focused on policing and specifically trying to reroute the conversation from “we need to change police procedures” to “the police need structural reform”

the spiral collective is providing funds for supplies, medic kits, and other things that protesters will need on the ground

unicorn riot is a media collective that has had people on the ground filming every night in minneapolis

last but not least some more bail funds

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