06/04/2020
Dear UpStage Stigma community,
Black lives matter.
UpStage Stigma is, and has always been, a social justice project.
When our artists share their traumas and triumphs through art, they inspire audience members to connect with their deepest selves. By connecting with our most vulnerable selves, we become more able to feel the pain of others. From this place comes the most genuine kind of activism.
From this place, from our hearts and souls, we stand up for our human siblings. We recognize that long before recent killings, people of color have had to deal with racism and violence. It is our responsibility as human beings, and as a project that helps people through what is most painful, to amplify Black and indigenous voices and to stand up for people of color.
We are committed to speaking up against the injustice that has been done to the Black community. We have work to do. But we promise this: Antiracism is not just a figment or facet or aspect of who we are. Antiracism is essential to our living, breathing mission. We continue to constantly evaluate our practices so that they reflect these values.
We have made the decision to postpone this Friday’s virtual show until the first two weeks in July, date to be announced.
Many of us are involved in organizing efforts around the Black Lives Matter movement and we feel it is important to use our platform to amplify Black voices and create space to discuss inequities around Black mental health. We will be sharing resources and action items for our communities in relation to these goals.
We are redirecting our efforts toward collecting submissions from Black and indigenous artists and activists, which we will be sharing on our page. If you are interested in sharing your work - whether a video performance, written piece, or any other medium - please email us at [email protected]. Additionally, we would love the opportunity to feature the websites and social media pages of Black artists and direct our audience to other platforms. We as Upstage Stigma organizers are here to listen, learn, and uplift.
If you are in a place to contribute financially, we encourage you to support these resources:
Help pay for therapy sessions for black trans people by donating to the Nina Pop and Tony McDade Recovery funds:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDk1ZaSv_nCqc1wI0KH0ZsOS28FT9tH-BRviA-VUB_Cf-tZg/viewform
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFbCqnPzsY0pSi39i_AjsTpVZpqJ20IOlJoX37N5qOHqN6cA/viewform
Contribute to the Loveland Therapy Fund for Black Women and Girls: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NzU4MzM=
With Love,
UpStage Stigma
