We’re Still Here
We’ve been in more of a listening and learning mode than a talking mode the past couple of weeks here at Evolution, as we work to recognize the ways in which we uphold the dominant paradigm in America: anti-Blackness. It continues to be especially important for we liberal-minded folks, who tend to think we’re not part of the problem, to challenge ourselves to not only see the ways we uphold the status quo but to act in service of dismantling it, to both recognize our own unconscious biases and be wiling to be uncomfortable in the process of unlearning them.
What we’re hearing from prominent Black authors, artists, activists, and other leaders: this is not a sprint but a marathon, and most White people have just lit off from the starting line.
Though we’re not seeing the explosive imagery that dominated social media and news sources for the weeks immediately following the murders of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks, the Black Lives Matter movement continues with great momentum. Daily protest rallies and marches keep the nation’s attention focused on the fact that Black people in America are not given equal treatment under the law—not even close—while legal activists work behind the scenes to change those laws.
It’s important to remember that our “common law” legal system means that every new case heard is an opportunity to establish legal precedent and create new law. This is why it’s necessary for those of us who believe in the fundamental equality of all people under the Constitution to be supporting the work of legal activists such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund https://www.naacpldf.org/, Black Trans Advocacy Coalition https://blacktrans.org/, and Grassroots Law Project https://www.grassrootslaw.org/, among so many others. Funding organizations such as these is about planting seeds. Some will immediately sprout and begin to flourish while others may struggle to take root, so let’s plant seeds everywhere and keep them nourished.
On another important front, we wanted to extend our appreciation to all of you who have supported our efforts to keep Cafe Evolution operating over these past few months. We asked for help and you gave it. Your flood of donations two weeks ago was stunning; such immense generosity at a time when people are so hard hit! Thank you! Your weekly orders have allowed us to slow down, to focus more on the creativity and less on sheer production, and to revisit the origins of our life together as creative partners on a social mission. The result? Veggie burgers that many people have called the best they’ve ever eaten, delectable pizzas (don’t miss the white sauce pizza this week, it’s insane), nurturing soups, heavenly baked goods, and a whole lot of kitchen laughter. Joy and love really do make the food taste better. We cannot thank you enough for rolling with all the change we’ve gone through these past few months; you’ve shown us, in every conceivable way, that you’re with us. We are immeasurably grateful.
Finally, contrary to the messages propagated by our inept federal government, COVID-19 is not behind us. We believe that, here in the US, we are still in the earliest phase of this pandemic and there remains great hardship ahead of us all. So, while we hear your requests for expanded services, we remain cautious about “reopening.” However, after some experimentation, we’ve established a work flow that strikes a balance between what you’re requesting and what we believe we are capable of doing.
We’ve begun to offer a Pop-Up Lunch for pick-up, 11:30 to 2:00, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, offering two or three dishes to choose from. Please follow us on Facebook, as we post there daily with flash sales, surplus goods, and updates to service. We will continue to provide our weekly pick-up service for the foreseeable future. It’s been well-received and seems to be adding some variety to your weekly menu planning.
There is so much work that needs to be done, in every aspect of our daily lives, to improve the living conditions of all members of society (both human and non-human). And it’s easy to get fatigued, to be overwhelmed, or to think that the small works we do every day won’t make a difference. But, every single day is a new opportunity to offer your hand to another, to let others help you, to see the value of your actions in a new light, to co-create change.
As long as we’re here, we can and do make a difference.
We’re still here.