Black Visions Collective - Why I support them on Threadless

THE BLACK VISIONS COLLECTIVE

"Black Visions Collective (BLVC) is an American non-profit organization for black liberation based in Minnesota, founded in December 2017. The group intersects with transgender, and LGBTQ communities. Active in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, BLVC has been involved in Black Lives Matter protests. They have lobbied for part of the Minneapolis Police Department budget to be diverted to programs which support people experiencing youth homelessness, opioid dependency or mental health issues." - extractec from Wikipedia

What the Foundation says about itself and what others say about it:

"If you’re just getting to learn about us, Black Visions is a Black-led queer and trans centering organization with a commitment to shared leadership, shared resources and self determination. From our beginning, we have been working to embody a commitment to sustainability, strategy, and long term vision, toward building a thriving and intersectional, Black organizing ecosystem." - extracted from blackvissionscollective.org

I have read many articles, which I would also encourage you to do so, and clearly, I can see that this collective is necessary, if not essential, for the communities that it is working with. It truly hits home when Kandace Montgomery explains what it means for the community if there was a successful police defunding to be had "It means we have the money that we need for education, health care, housing, workers’ rights. It is a total transformation away from a racist and violent system into one that truly fosters our safety and well-being." - which is exactly what my partner and I, our families and basically everyone in the world worries about when they go to sleep at night. No one wants to be on the receiving end of a racist and violent system, and I hope one day, nobody will be.

I won't go into detail about the tragic loss of life. We all can see the names and if you need to remind yourself just how horribly real this death count is, you can see them and get to know them here:

CLICK HERE IF YOU DON'T SEE THE ABOVE INTERACTIVE MEDIA

I believe this is a very clear statement that really conveys the feelings of the organization, and the direction they are going to purse change in their communities:

"In 2015, I think that we were very righteously angry, and we were clear about the problem. Now, we are clear about the solution."

My Conclusions and Hopes for the Future:

I don't have much to say that has not already been said. I hope, things get better. NOW. 

If you'd like to support my art as well as this amazing organization, do consider purchasing an artwork from this collection:

And as always, may your days be magical, I will see you in the next time.

Bye!

References:

• https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Visions_Collective
• https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2020/know-their-names/index.html\
• https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/lifestyle/business-politics/how-black-visions-collective-is-sustaining-a-revolution/
• https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/
• https://www.npr.org/2020/06/26/882001628/these-are-the-minneapolis-activists-leading-the-push-to-abolish-the-police
• https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/lifestyle/business-politics/how-black-visions-collective-is-sustaining-a-revolution/
• https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/black-lives-matter-bail-protestors-donate-charities-1234622677