In solidarity with people risking their lives around the country and around the world to protest racism and police brutality, this week I am dedicating my platform and my voice to affirming that Black Lives Matter
 
I have watched these tragedies unfold year after year and have remained mostly silent. But I’m realizing that my silence has only contributed to the problem. And I’ve begun to wake up to the reality that just being “not racist” isn’t good enough. We need to be anti racist. 
 
I know this is much bigger than tiny houses but racism is everywhere, including the tiny house movement. Today, instead of sharing with you an episode about tiny houses, I’ll instead read the names of some of the people who have been slain by the police or who have been victims of hate crimes:

 
Trayvon Martin age:17
Tamir Rice age age:12
Michael Brown age:18
Eric Garner 2014 age 27
Sandra Bland age: 28
Freddie Gray age: 25
Alton Sterling age: 37
Philando Castile age: 32
Botham Jean age: 26
Atatiana Jefferson age: 28
Ahmaud Arbery age: 25 
Doug Lewis age: 39
Breonna Taylor age: 26
George Floyd age: 46
 
This week instead of listening to the tiny house lifestyle podcast, I invite you to read, listen, and watch content created by black voices in our community. I suggest following: Tiny House Trailblazers, Jewel Pearson, and Dominique Moody. For a podcast, check out Siri Lorence and the Kinda Hippie Kinda Hood Podcast. On Youtube check out Living Tiny with the Bushes and Off The Grid With A Kid. Read Iana Sundari’s recent experiences with racism on the road. 
 
Finally, I am currently listening to How to Be an Anti Racist by Ibraim Xendi, and I highly recommend it.
I’m humbled by the fact that I still have a lot to learn, but I know we can do this together. 
 
Thank you for listening, and see you next week.