To our Folklor Community, 

This week has felt heavy. The part the weighs on our hearts the most is the fact that this heaviness, this deep sense of pain has been experienced too long by POC, in particular Black men and women.

We have taken this week to listen. To reflect on our previous behaviour and how it has impacted others. We now know that not being racist is not enough. Our assumption that we were not a part of the problem worked to perpetuate inherent biases and racism. We must move forward with behaviour that is actively anti-racist. Silence is as bad, as painful, as racism itself. We have committed as individuals, as a family and as a business to do the work and ensure that our dedication to anti-racist behaviour is not a week-long social movement. It’s a lifelong commitment that will involve regular self-reflection and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. We will have conversations as a family and with our friends, as we question our previous practices and how we can do better.

We have formulated an action plan to ensure our accountability continues in the future. We know this is a marathon, not a sprint. We will continue to listen, to learn and to put in the work on a daily basis to change the narrative that has for too long been inherently racist.

In that regard, we have set-up a monthly donation to Black Lives Matter and the Federation of Black Canadians, to support those fighting the injustice both abroad and on our own soil. We are putting in the work by reading Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad and doing the accompanied journal exercises after each chapter. But this is just the beginning. We have compiled a list of anti-racist books that we are going to work our way through, including How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi, The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole and Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard. We are going to read them slowly and with purpose. 

And finally, as you know, Folklor is committed to supporting small business. We are now going to make a conscious effort, to ensure that we seek out and highlight Black-owned enterprises.

Our assumption that we were not part of the problem because we are not racist, was sorely mistaken. Racism is very much alive and it requires feet on the ground and active participation in anti-racist behaviour. Our promise to ourselves, to our children and to you, is that we will a better allies to the Black community. 

xoxo Megan