Motionographer stands in solidarity with those demanding justice for the countless lives lost to generations of systemic racism, white supremacy, and police brutality.
From June 2 – June 7th, we will be muting our regular programming. We will not be posting quickies, articles, or accepting submissions to the Motion Awards during this time.
Instead, we will be posting daily on our social channels the actions our team is taking as a commitment to change.
With humility and understanding, we hope to use our platform as a vehicle to help spread awareness in support of the Black Community.
We pledge to do what we can, be of service, and listen. Talk to us.
Together we stand.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 3, 2020
Today members of the Motionographer team signed petitions and donated funds to blacklivesmatter.com. The Demand Racial Data on Coronavirus petition highlights the need for more data and leadership surrounding COVID-19, for a community that is so deeply affected by the virus.
In the United States, historically health statistics and research are extremely disproportionate amongst races and genders, especially in the African American and Black communities.
Some of us have purchased masks to hand out at demonstrations in our respective areas. It is but a small gesture in service of anyone who supports this movement and may have forgotten, or be without a mask. We want voices heard and people as safe and protected as possible.
THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2020
Eight minutes and forty-six seconds is the length of time George Floyd had a police officer’s knee at his neck before he died. Today, as a small gesture in honor of George Floyd’s memorial, our team collectively joined in a moment of reflection for Mr. Floyd’s life and the lives of countless others, for this length of time.
It was shocking how long eight minutes and forty-six minutes felt.
We recognize that we cannot begin to comprehend the suffering of Mr. Floyd and his family, but continue to stretch our hearts and minds as we stand in solidarity with the Black Community.
A New York Times headline reports that the “Minneapolis Police Use Force Against Black People at 7 Times the Rate of White“. These unwarranted acts of violence must stop and we must begin investing in a multitude of resources in black communities.
Today some of us at Motionographer have donated to Campaign Zero, an organization that calls on local, state, and federal lawmakers to take immediate action and adopt data-driven policy solutions to end this violence and hold police accountable.
FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2020
As it would have been her 27th birthday, we at Motionographer, like many others, signed a petition demanding justice and accountability for the death of Breonna Taylor. She was wrongfully shot 8 times by the police. If you feel as we do that Breonna deserves justice, please sign the petition.
As the ACLU demands, “divest from the police and invest in black and brown communities”, we donated to Black Girls Code as a small gesture of support.
“When we give girls of color the tools to develop their own future, great things are bound to happen.” ~ Black Girls Code
SATURDAY JUNE 6, 2020
In response to the death of George Floyd, congress is considering around a dozen proposals making police departments more accountable for racial violence. An announcement is expected next week. The Motionographer team has contacted their Senators asking for accountability and proper action through legislation. As we continue to stand together with other concerned citizens we hope that our voices will be heard. Please see go to ContactSenators.com to find your Senator’s contact information.
Some of us found the script below both helpful and efficient while contacting our Senators. It works for both email and phone:
My name is______________ and I am a concerned citizen from Representative _________’s district and now is the time for Congress to pass meaningful police reform legislation. We need Congress to protect Black communities and hold law enforcement accountable for reckless policing. Systemic racism and police brutality need to be addressed immediately. I urge Representative _________ to take action.
SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2020
We pledge to continue this conversation as we “unmute” and resume our Motionographer programming. We currently have initiatives in progress that showcase people of color as well as other underrepresented communities. For the month of June, we are highlighting LGBTQ and non-binary artists.
Black Lives Matter expresses that they seek to build a space free of misogyny, which fosters a queer affirming network, free of heteronormative thinking.
Motionographer has donated funds to The Marsha P. Johnson Foundation, which protects and defends the human rights of Black transgender persons.
Marsha P. Johnson was a black activist and self-identified drag queen, who along with transgender activist Sylvia Rivera, were prominent voices within the Stonewall uprising and gay liberation movement. During Pride Month, we at Motionographer are once again reminded and thankful for the loud voices such as Marsha P. Johnson, who contributed in fighting for the rights everyone deserves.
Thank you for being a part of the Motionographer community. And as a community, we look forward to listening, learning, growing, and representing each and every one of us now and into the future.
There are many talented people we may not be aware of, and encourage referrals to artists with thoughtful underrepresented voices.
TOGETHER WE STAND