Black Lives Matter.

​Despite feeling a deep yearning to do so, I haven't attended a single #BlackLivesMatter protest because I have an infant at home and am scared exposing him to COVID-19. 

But to those who are protesting, I'm there with you in my mind, soul, and spirit. I'm watching the protests--riveted--and am thinking about this movement while pushing the kids in the stroller, while lying in bed at night, while teaching yoga, during Teddy's middle-of-the-night feeding... 

I've been googling images from the protests, watching the news coverage, devouring the articles, following every BLM activist I can find on Instagram and reading what they have to say about how I can be an ally, but it's just not the same as showing up in person. 

My hope is that everyone in our country is being so deeply affected by the protests. And I truly hope that supporting this movement isn't just a trend among white people, but that we all start to do the real work that we need to do in order to support the incredible BIPOC in our nation (who have been alone in their efforts for FAR, FAR too long).

To those of you who have attended a protest: thank you for putting yourself on the line and showing up physically. For those of you who, like me, can't be there in person: remember that you still have a voice and you can use it from home. How can you use your gifts, privilege, status, and/or profession to help make real change? 

I'm still figuring out how best to serve this movement (above + beyond making calls, writing emails, learning, reading, donating, and talking), but part of my way of processing is to create images like these in order to capture this moment in history. [If you need an image for personal web use on social media, in your newsletter, on your blog, etc, feel free to use one of these images without asking my permission.]

FYI: The first two drawings above are inspired by a striking photograph taken by the photographer Jason Armond. Seeing people protesting in their face masks makes all of this so much more intense and powerful, doesn't it? I am so moved by images like these; thank you to this beautiful, brave, strong woman and the photographer who captured her in all of her glory. 

​BLACK LIVES MATTER.