Bryn Mawr Launches Racial Justice Work
There was widespread reaction to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020. The Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association (BMNA) acted by creating an initiative to address issues of racial justice highlighted by George Floyd’s death. The Racial Justice Committee embraces the following vision:
Racial Justice Committee Statement
We will not allow the realities of racism to remain alive and active in ourselves and our community. We will be critical of actions we take in Bryn Mawr and consciously promote racial equity. We will ensure that communities of color are included in conversation with the neighborhood association.
We acknowledge that Bryn Mawr is a predominantly white community inhabiting Dakota land. While many Bryn Mawr residents are committed to dismantling racism, we see that we need to do more. The deaths of unarmed Black people in our city and nation along with continuing incidents of violence against Asian people have shaken the Bryn Mawr community. We grieve with our city and the world.
We condemn the murders of George Floyd, Daunte Wright and so many others. We assert unequivocally that Black lives matter. We commit ourselves to actions that will change the systems that hurt Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in our country and in our neighborhood.
Your ideas and involvement are welcome as we walk these days together. Please join us.
Following are six initiatives the Racial Justice Committee has begun:
Diversification of the BMNA Board and Committee Membership
The BMNA values diversity in Board and committee membership and will encourage broader participation. If you have an interest in being on the BMNA Board or being on any committee, you are encouraged to contact any current Board member listed on the back page of The Bugle. Feel free to ask or recommend your neighbors.
Racial Equity Lens
The BMNA will develop and adopt a process which guides the evaluation, development, and implementation of policies, initiatives, programs, and budgets to address the impacts on racial equity when making decisions affecting the neighborhood. This will ensure that we consciously work to achieve practices of equitable development, transportation, environmental justice, education and affordability in our community. Read our Issue Review Process here
Community Education
The Committee will place antiracism books for all ages in Little Free Libraries throughout the neighborhood. Neighbors who have physical books on this topic are encouraged to circulate them through the Little Free Libraries as well. See a map and learn more here.
The Committee will offer subsidized antiracism classes for Bryn Mawr residents. Click here for more information of our Racial Justice Workshop.
Raise awareness about racial covenants in Bryn Mawr and encourage people to learn more about the Just Deeds project.
The committee hosted a Sacred Sites tour led by Reverend Jim Bear Jacobs as part of the Healing Stories initiative of the MN Council of Churches. According to the website, “Healing Minnesota Stories is an effort to create understanding and healing between Native American and non-Native people. Native people have suffered deep trauma over many years, losing their land, language, and culture, and all who call Minnesota home are the lesser for it. The tour offers an opportunity to learn about Minnesota history from a Native perspective through story-telling and experiencing the sites in silence / meditation / reflection.
The committee hosted a Film Series at SRF Consulting starting in 2023 with the showing of The Coop Wars, and Stories I Didn’t Know. Discussions with the filmmakers and those involved followed.
Support for BIPOC Owned Business
The Committee will promote awareness and patronization of BIPOC owned businesses through free advertising in a special supplement to The Bugle for those in Bryn Mawr and surrounding neighborhoods including Harrison, Sumner-Holmes, Willard-Hay, Jordan, Near North and Hawthorne.
The Committee will also solicit advertisements for Near North businesses for inclusion in The Bugle on a regular basis. Read more here
Bryn Mawr Schools
The Racial Justice Committee will work in concert with the BMNA Schools Committee to support our neighborhood schools with the goal of having fully supported integrated schools.
Volunteering and Donating
The Committee will place new emphasis on curating volunteer and donation opportunities on the BMNA website for those in our community looking to directly support BIPOC led organizations working to dismantle systemic racism and oppression. Read more here
The epidemic of racism is not new, but white supremacy is entrenched in all aspects of our culture and society. Transforming into an antiracist culture will demand deep and sustained effort by individuals throughout our neighborhood along with our city, state and country. The Racial Justice Committee invites your participation.
Contact us at racialjustice@bmna.org