#Repost @tieks ・・・ “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” - Desmond Tutu ⠀ ⠀ Our hearts ache for the pain and suffering the Black community has experienced for far too long and the senseless tragedies that have stolen far too many lives. The inexcusable murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others were caught on video, but how many countless other incidents have remained invisible? Even more commonplace acts of racism, like Amy Cooper’s, force us to come to terms with just how pervasive systemic racism remains in our country. We stand against this hate, violence, discrimination, and injustice. ⠀ ⠀ Over the past week, our nation has been confronting these issues like at no other point in recent memory. We hope these recent tragedies will bring about dialogue, education, understanding, support for one another, and eventually healing—because in the end only love and light can drive out darkness.⠀ ⠀ Tieks and the Gavrieli Foundation have always given back through the lens of supporting individuals, whether through loans to women entrepreneurs worldwide or our #SewTogether campaign empowering community members to sew masks. As we reel from the pain and injustice of the last week, we’ve thought about how we can apply this same model to fight for social and economic justice. Community Development Corporations do direct and deeply personal work in Black communities across the country to increase educational opportunity, invest in economic justice, and provide cornerstone infrastructure. As an initial step, we pledge to donate to these grassroot organizations run by the Black community for the Black community, and spend time getting to know them and their leaders on the front lines. ⠀ ⠀ At Tieks, we have been moved by the stories our community members have shared about these issues, describing what it is like to stand in their shoes, and we are committed to elevating their voices. Please continue to share your stories with us. We encourage the Tieks family to come together with open minds and open hearts. Together we will light the flame that will drive out the darkness and show us the way forward. https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6jznCp9f5/?igshid=83qfl233267b