Are you racist? 

If you’re like many people, you probably don’t think you are. 

Now ask yourself this. How are you actively anti-racist? 

We’re here to help you answer that question.

Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBEoRoCBNDe/
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBEoRoCBNDe/


As a company with a mission rooted in global human rights advocacy, we understand the urgency of focusing our mission of justice where it’s currently needed; right here at home. Travel has opened our eyes to oppression around the world, and we are committed to fighting for equality both near and far.

The #BLM Movement

As the #BlackLivesMatter movement continues to gain traction in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, the entire world is watching and looking for ways to help. 

Black Lives Matter is one of the largest ever protests in United States history, and is now a global movement with significant operations in Canada, the UK, and beyond. While the Black Lives Matter movement officially began in 2013, Black people have been victims of deadly violence and institutional racism for nearly 400 years in the United States. Following George Floyd’s murder, citizens from over 60 countries have gathered to protest anti-Black racism around the world. Systemic change is long overdue. We can’t waste any more time. 

Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDAh4C1nIor/
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDAh4C1nIor/

Our Commitment

At Kosan, we have been busy educating ourselves on anti-Black racism, and examining our individual experiences with white privilege. We are committed to constantly evolving and expanding upon what we can do to not only support the Black community, but make space for Black voices in our own community. 

Together, we can put an end to anti-Black racism. Now is the time to listen to black leaders and community members, and learn to be better than the society we grew up in. 

We must listen to, and learn from black voices. Black leaders, Black authors, Black podcasters, Black activists. Black people have long expressed their unique pain and struggles, their dreams and aspirations, and it is up to non-Black people to meet on their terms. It is our responsibility to seek out relevant information, educate ourselves, and take up the fight against white supremacy that Black people are born fighting in North America and beyond. 

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Not sure where to get started? We have compiled a digestible list of resources that everyone can use to take action in the fight against anti-Black racism:

Learn more

  • Article: Learn more about George Floyd
    • Read this article to learn about George Floyd’s friends, family, life, and legacy. George was known for his gentle nature, positivity, and desire to touch the world. He leaves behind two young daughters.
  • Video: Let’s get to the root of racial injustice 
    • Watch this TEDxRainier talk about the roots of racial injustice from Political Science Professor Megan Ming Francis. “Fixes that do not address the root causes of an issue are not really fixes at all.”
  • Book: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
    • Read The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the age of Colorblindness by civil rights litigator and legal scholar Michelle Alexander. In her words, “we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it.”
  • Podcast: About Race
    • Listen to About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge. This podcast examines the recent history that lead to the politics of today, and features key voices from the last few decades of anti-racist activism. 
  • Documentary: 13th
    • Watch the feature length documentary 13th from director Ava DuVernay. This film features interviews with scholars, activists and politicians as they analyze systemic criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison system. 
  • Miniseries: When They See Us
    • Watch the 4 part mini-series When They See Us from director Ava DuVernay. This mini-series is based on the true story of five Black teens from Harlem who are falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park.

Sign Petitions

  • Demand Justice for George Floyd
    • On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by police officer Derek Chauvin outside of a grocery store in Minneapolis. He was handcuffed, restrained, and cooperated peacefully with police immediately before his murder. 
  • Demand Justice for Breonna Taylor
    • On March 13, 2020, Louisville Police performed an illegal, unannounced drug raid on Breonna Taylor’s home. Police rammed down her door and sprayed gunfire. She was shot 8 times and killed. Not only were police in the wrong house, but the man they were looking for was arrested earlier that day. 
  • Demand Justice for Ahmaud Arbery
    • On February 3rd, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery was followed and fatally shot by three white men (Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael and William Bryan) in a pickup truck while jogging in his neighbourhood near Brunswick, Georgia. He was 25 years old. 
  • Demand Justice for Elijah McClain
    • On August 24, 2019, Elijah McClain went to buy tea at a local convenience store. Elijah suffered from anemia, and wore a ski mask to keep his face warm when he went outside. He died of a heart attack after being subdued by Aurora police and injected with ketamine following a call regarding a “suspicious person”. He was 23 years old. 

Donate

  • Campaign Zero is an American police reform campaign consisting of ten proposals aimed at reducing police violence.
  • Know Your Rights Camp is a free campaign for youth that aims to raise awareness on education, self empowerment, and mass-mobilization of Black communities. 
  • BLD PWR is a grassroots liberation initiative with a focus on intersectional racial justice and undoing systemic oppression in the American criminal legal system. 
  • The National Urban League is a civil rights organization that advocates for social and economic justice for African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States.
  • Movement for Black Lives is a coalition of over 50 groups which represent the interests of Black communities across the United states.

Show Support

What We’re Doing Now

As part of Kosan’s ongoing commitment to supporting racial justice, we are launching a Black Lives Matter apparel collection in collaboration with 5 incredible Black artists. 100% of profits from this initiative will go directly to the anti-racist organizations nominated by the artists involved in this project. Click these links to shop the collection (coming soon) and learn more about the artists: Hust Wilson, Gia Graham, Adrian Meadows, Edinah Chewe, and David Jon Walker. 

We hope these resources can serve as a tool to inspire thoughtful reflection on privilege, justice, and meaningful action in the face of anti-Black racism around the world. 

Kosan stands with #BlackLivesMatter