Things We Can Do

Back in March, I started the Pantry Project Purpose series to help keep everybody sane and connected during quarantine, and also because it felt good to offer a little escapist comfort from what is playing out in the world and the front pages every day. But the events of the last week have reminded me how privileged I am to even consider the concept of escape, when so many people in this country live in a state of fear every day of their lives. If you want to find me this week, I won’t be posting about food; I’ll only be on instagram, doing what I can to share resources and information about George Floyd and the systemic racial injustice in this country that leads to these incidents again and again and again. If you’re not on instagram, here are a few things you can do:

Sign the NAACP Justice for George Floyd Petition.

If you are in a position to do so, donate to the organizations fighting against racial inequalities on the front lines day in and day out, not just when high-profile cases bring to light America’s painfully deep-seeded inequalities: Southern Poverty Law Center, Equal Justice Initiative, Legal Defense Fund, and the ACLU.

Donate to the George Floyd Memorial Fund if you can.

However imperfectly, talk about anti-racism. Read about anti-racism, practice anti-racism. “‘I’m not racist’ is a slogan of denial,” says Ibram X. Kendi. If you are white, make a conscious decision to acknowledge your privilege, make a conscious effort to teach your children to acknowledge their privilege. If your kids (or you) are on social media, point them in the direction of the people whose voices need the megaphone right now: Rachel Cargle, Rachel Ricketts, and Kendi, even if — especially if — it makes you uncomfortable.

Adopt a State. One thing I know for sure, when the country is literally in flames, a real leader doesn’t stoke the fires of rage and divisiveness to galvanize his base, and better his chance of re-election. Four more years of Trump is unimaginable and we have to do everything we can to stop it from happening. Adopt a State mobilizes support and volunteers for six battleground states that will be crucial for winning 2020. Our family is adopting Michigan. I hope you will consider choosing one, too.

Stay safe.

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32 Comments

Brienne

Thank you so much for this post and thoughtful content. Our family is going to pick a state to adopt tonight.

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Karen Benson

Have been donating to WisDems and hope others do too. Ben Wikler has been so effective and the more $ they can get will help between now and November.

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Becka

Thank you! I’ve been looking for more black Instagram accounts to follow.

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Ann Muenger

As a Michigan resident, I just want to say thanks for adopting our state. I am so sick and tired of our current situation.

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Karen Benson

Thank you for your suggestions. I will add a few more if that’s okay. I am not a republican but I have donated to the Lincoln Project’s fund, which is 100 % intent on getting Trump out of office, along with complicit senators. Check out their current commercial #AmericaOrTrump, they are airing it in several swing states. It is an effective and sadly accurate depiction of the moment. Donations buy more air time. I have also donated to Jaime Harrison who is running for senate in SC (against Lindsey Graham). I was supporting him anyways because he is an excellent person but now seems like a good time to double down. And this is Barack Obama’s ‘things you can do right now” link: https://www.obama.org/anguish-and-action/ and for more reading, I though Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s op ed in the L.A. Times was really strong and good.What I really want to see is Bob Kroll ousted from the Minneapolis Police Union, NYPD revising their union and department and all police departments and unions taking a cue from Camden/Newark’s revision of how to create a new, working department that is not infected with systemic racism.

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Courtney

Thanks for the resources. I’ve adopted Arizona! We will miss you this week. Your daily posting have really been fun to read and a great escape.

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Megan

Thank you Jenny for these wonderful resources – it’s nice to add the Adopt a State to my email list. What a great organization. We have to do everything as a country to get that horrific blubbering baby out of office.

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Kate

The personal IS political and vice versa. Being apolitical is just as much of a stance as voicing a political opinion. I was heartened to see this post, Jenny, and that you’re using your platform to educate your readers and inspire deep reflection. Thank you!

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kate

Yes Michigan!! My friend — a fierce immigration lawyer and mom of young kids — is running for Congress in my district here — a district that has historically been so so red: http://www.hillaryscholen.com. She can win. She would be amazing. Mobilizing for her is mobilizing against Trump. I hope you’ll adopt her campaign as part of your efforts in my state. (And THANK YOU for adopting us. Your efforts are so welcome here.)

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Erin

I’ve recently (ie since pandemic times) discovered your website and so enjoy it. Maybe you can share with us some other food bloggers that you love and would like to promote, who likely aren’t getting all the attention they deserve.

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Kim

As a long-time Black reader, I want to say thank you for taking a break from regularly scheduled programming to draw attention to this important issue. I love your recipes and posts. Thanks for all you do.

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Amy Nguyen

This is what real allyship is about: It is about confronting privilege, using our platforms for good, and showing up consistently. Thanks Jenny!

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Libby Meade Moran

Somehow you always seem to know exactly how to set the tone. I come here when the world is scary and leave here feeling comforted and rejuvenated to face it again. Thanks for that. I adopted Michigan… my birth state!

November is coming…

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Kristin

You could also consider sharing your platform with more diverse voices. Have you ever looked at the racial breakdown of chefs, authors and bloggers featured on this site?

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Ellen Stewart-Klein

I really miss the week day posts. I understand and respect all that was said above and that people need breaks. This was one of mine every work day and I miss it.

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Samantha

Thanks for sharing Adopt A State. I had never heard of this. I’ve adopted Pennsylvania, me=y neighbor to the north!

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