Black Lives Matter, Today and Every Day
We wanted to share this statement that we helped write with our co-op, the People's Organization of Community Acupuncture, in support of the Movement for Black Lives.
POCA stands with all those impacted by white supremacy, anti-Blackness, and police brutality. Today and every day, Black lives matter. We recognize systemic racism and police violence as a public health crisis. We commit to doing the vital and necessary work as a cooperative so that we can unlearn and combat anti-Blackness and white supremacy in our structure, systems, and clinics, as well as with our members and staff. We commit to create safer spaces and aim to improve the health and lives of those most affected by racism.
All acupuncturists are taught to address the root cause of any illness, to “seek the root” to understand any imbalance in an individual person. Liberation Acupuncture demands us to address social conditions – particularly injustice, inequality, and the pervasive influence of traumatic stress – as a root cause of disease in individuals and communities. This includes anti-Blackness and white supremacy.
We offer support with group acupuncture to front line communities and movements as much as we have enthusiastic consent to do so. We share knowledge and tools as much as we are able. We redistribute resources to other people and organizations doing this work. We investigate ourselves and our co-op. We know there is more work to do.
We hope to see you in the streets and supporting the struggle in whatever ways are possible for you. We invite you to continue to hold us accountable to our own anti-racist values.
The best hope for all of our future is aligning ourselves with movements for change that center on the needs and the perspectives of the oppressed, the exploited, and the excluded. When Black lives, Black dreams, and Black futures matter, the world will be a better place for everyone.
