Hey Impact Makers!
Kamila here. I’ve been posting on my personal Facebook, in our group, and mostly on my both Instagram accounts in support of the movement as well as amplifying Black voices from other leaders who are educating us all and sharing their message, but I wanted to make sure I make a statement here as well – on the website (after like, a long-ass hiatus from posting!).
We are 100% in support of our Black brothers and sisters and believe it is TIME for change to happen. We love being able to support many Black and POC entrepreneurs with our programs and content (paid and free), we love having been able to work with Black and POC contractors on my team in the past (and plan on continuing to hire in the future!), and we want to continue amplifying voices from our Black and POC community!
These last two weeks have been very eye-opening and enlightening for me. I realize I am not perfect. As an immigrant white woman living in America, I never realized how much white privilege has allowed me to benefit until just recently. I always thought that we make our own luck – and yes I still believe we do – but there is such a thing as the SOCIETY and the SYSTEM favoring those who look like me rather than those who don’t, making “creating your own luck” much easier for people who look like me.
While I have faced bullying, fears about the police, and others as well – as a white immigrant, I have had the privilege of blending in. I got rid of my Polish accent and few people who meet me even know I wasn’t born in this country. That is white privilege.
I also realize that the #BlackLivesMatter movement is not just about being muted on social media for a week (which we did) to amplify Black voices. It’s about continuing to take action to make change – inner and outer – beyond just one week. It’s a commitment for a lifetime.
And I don’t have all the answers. Not even close.
I don’t consider myself to be very political and I very rarely post political stuff on my pages.
But this isn’t a political issue. This is a human rights issue.
The police need MORE accountability, more training, de-escalation, psych evals and more. It is MINDBLOWING to me that you only need 6 months of schooling and a high school degree to become a police offer in the US – whereas in many European countries you need 2-3 years of schooling. And you wonder why those other countries see SUCH drastically lower rates of police brutality (if any).
There is some serious foundational restructuring that needs to be done.
Again, I do not have all the answers.
But I know, as entrepreneurs, we get to contribute by raising our voice and spreading the message.
So, what am I personally doing:
- Learning and educating about diversity, equity, inclusion, as well as anti-racism
- Listening and paying attention
- Amplifying Black and POC Voices
- Surrounding myself with more BIPOC voices
- Buying products from BIPOC entrepreneurs
- Taking action by donating when appropriate
And I know this is not nearly enough – but it’s a start.
I am sending much love to you all!
<3
Kamila
P.S. I also operate under compassion and love. I used to be one of those people who thought – all lives matter. Because I just did not understand. I do now. And I am sorry. And I also want to give the benefit of the doubt to others who say it too – I believe many may not be saying it maliciously, but simply may not be aware how damaging this is. But hopefully many will wake up to this and understand too and stand on the right side of history with me <3
