The Black Urbanist Weekly for June 20–26, 2022
I can’t pretend to keep up with the pace of our modern life, especially with the return of unmasked indoor activities. However, I know deep down inside that when I’m ready to come outside consistently again, I will, with welcome arms and real support. When you do see me in the streets, it’s with folks that really know me and care about me.
Today’s note, in the spirit of our observance of Juneteenth today is short.
I already had my note of admonishment online, here it is in case you missed it.
Whatever you do today or tomorrow for #juneteenth is null and void if you come back to work on Tuesday and your Black employees don’t make a living wage, only get asked about Black things, or are asked to work on projects/policies/plans that shut down their communities ability to liberate itself and stay liberated.
And, if you’re that Black employee, use these days to work on your liberation plan because there’s more for you and we are ready to receive your abundance.
So, my liberation plan is to nurture that village, which I alluded to in the first paragraph. The village will set up the tents, chairs, and heaters; the stages and the booths; the transport and the clear path.
And if you’re that city that goes on about their business on Tuesday morning, don’t be surprised when its downtowns are empty and soulless because everyone, not just your Black citizens or otherwise marginalized folk, is fortified and fulfilled creating villages of plenty.
By the Way
These are other articles/videos that were noteworthy for me this week. Watch me expand more on these items in our weekly Tuesday livestreams at 4 pm Eastern on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter.
Using the five-year anniversary of the massive, fatal fire at London’s Grenfell Tower to reflect on the limits of corporations as people and even governments as servants of said people.
One of my favorite fellow LGBTQ2IA-led environmental publications is Atmos, and I’m linking to two reflections of how the climate and Black emancipation/liberation go hand in hand — a personal reflection from Catherine Coleman Flowers about her home county of Lowndes County, Alabama, and specific ways climate denial is racism.
I also love what Reckon South is doing, and I’m linking to their entire homepage today, where you can find some of their curated places to eat great soul food, along with their Black Joy newsletter!
Finally, I’m lifting back up my article from Sierra Magazine on my vision for the future in a time of crisis.
Before You Go
Here’s how you can financially support this work + access our weekly livestreams, now on Tuesdays at 4 Eastern.
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If you just want to support me for any reason, but don’t need anything in return, you can donate to my capital campaign, or Venmo or Cash. App me. Even with all the visibility on my work this month, funding is really short and I would really be grateful if you could send something, as some new partnership opportunities come through. This is also a great way to make a special Juneteenth offering to me.
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My bookshelf over at Bookshop.org is very much alive and well, purchase your copies of the books I talked about above, plus more that I’ve designated part of the Black Queer Feminist Urbanist canon, the general urbanism canon and other lists because you can never have too many books. This is also another way to financially support my work.
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My very first official crochet pattern is for sale. It’s been tested and reviewed and you can join the club of folks making their own Kristfinity Scarves!
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I’ll be live on Patreon, LinkedIn and YouTube talking about everything I mentioned above and then some for my Open Studio/Office Hours at 4 eastern, tomorrow, Tuesday, June 20th at 4. Don’t worry if you can’t watch live, it will be archived publicly on all spaces. Also, all of my prior video chats under the Public Lecture/Open Studio label are now available on Patreon and will be making their way to YouTube little by little over the next few weeks.
Until next time,