The work white people need to do
Hey, Fam —
Eight people in Georgia were killed Tuesday night after a 21-year-old white domestic terrorist went on a shooting rampage at three massage spas. Six of them were Asian women. In the aftermath of this horrific racially-motivated and gendered hate crime, the editors of ZORA stand in solidarity with the AAPI community.
While there has been an uptick of anti-Asian violence in the U.S. over the last year, stoked by reprehensible rhetoric, we know there has always been racism against the Asian community in this country. White supremacy in the United States has a lengthy track record of oppressing and killing Black and Asian people while also causing racial tensions between the two communities. It is White supremacy that is at the root of Tuesday’s murders and so many other heinous crimes that we have directly or indirectly been impacted by.
Many of us are, yet again, feeling helpless. The burden to abolish a system that exists to subjugate, maim, and kill us is not — and should not — be ours. That is work for white folks to do.
Right now, let’s take care of ourselves and each other, and stand together with the grieving.
— The editors of ZORA
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⭐️ HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH! ⭐️
ZORA wants to hear from YOU! What does it mean to be a “strong Black woman” today? Publish a story on Medium about how you’re changing the definition of a “strong Black woman,” tag “ZORAWHM,” and email your story to zora@medium.com. We may feature your story on ZORA.
Zero to 💯
Who kept it 100 this week? Let’s take a look.
Rihanna trademarks “Fenty Hair” 👀👀👀 70/💯
Looks like Queen Rih is continuing to expand her beauty empire. The mogul has reportedly filed legal documents toward the creation of Black hair care products. This means she may be creating items such as hair glitter, hair coloring, straightening tools, shampoos and more. Honestly, we don’t really care what it’s going to. If it’s as dope as everything else Rihanna has given the culture she can take all our money!
Beyonce makes Grammys history and other highlights: 90/💯
Black women were the stars of the 63rd annual GRAMMY awards Sunday. Big props go to Beyonce for breaking the record of most awards won by a woman and to her daughter Blue Ivy who became the second youngest winner for her feature in “Brown Skin Girl.” Megan Thee Stallion snagged three awards herself. She and Cardi B showed up and showed out on the stage. There were some snubs and surprises and some long overdue recognition, but we’re happy to see Black women getting their things.
Two Black sisters land their own HGTV show 💯/💯
Sister Fixers will follow siblings Courtney Robinson and Leslie Antonoff of Materials + Method Designs as they help clients decorate their homes on a budget. They’re bringing DIY, design and diversity to the network and we love to see it!
Holly Robinson Peete says Sharon Osbourne called her “too ghetto” for The Talk: 0/💯
After Osbourne came under fire for defending Piers Morgan’s vile statements about Meghan Markle, former The Talk co-hosts Holly Robinson Peete and Leah Remini came forward accusing Osbourne of calling them “too ghetto” and making culturally offensive comments. Osbourne and her current co-host Sheryl Underwood got into a heated discussion on air about her support of Piers Morgan which resulted in both hosts getting emotional. Now the show is on hiatus. Honestly, it’s all a big mess and it seems like another case of white people worrying more about being called “racist” than holding themselves accountable for how they uphold racism and white supremacy.
Stacey Dash tries to get back into Black folks’ good graces: 🚮/💯
The actress has issued an apology for her adamant support of former president Trump over the last four years and honestly, we’re not even trying to hear that. Dash told the Daily Mail she “made a lot of mistakes” that she is now sorry for and that the conservative Fox News talking head she used to be is not who she is anymore. Good for her for getting some of her sense back but if she thinks the Black community is going to forgive and forget how she encouraged bigotry for so long, she truly is clueless.
✨ The Best of Us ✨
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I Wrote About Anti-Asian Violence in 1992. Now It’s Come Full Circle.
My Strength Is Not Solely Measured by My Struggle or Ability to Save Everyone
Phenomenal Woman: Miko Branch, Co-Founder of Miss Jessie’s
Dua Lipa Grammy’s Choreographer Charm La’Donna Unpacks Her Moves
🗣️ The Last Word 🗣️
“Love is a great power. We can use it to transform our world.” — Ericka Huggins
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