Adil Dhalla

@metromorning where can one send you tips about happenings in the city? We wanted to share some info about 50 Pop-up Playgrounds happening in TO to make strangers feel less stranger.

A community organization is poised to take over The Rose of Sharon, Canada's only long-term care facility dedicated to Korean seniors, instead of a for-profit company, as originally planned. More on how the residents' families rallied here: supportros.ca

For what it’s worth, I want you to send emails internally and externally. I just want you to send good one. There’s many more but these are some that are coming up for me. If you want to add, please do so below. If you want eyes on your message, I’m here for that too (DM’s open)

10. If you have asked a black or POC person to review your internal/external message then you better listen to what their saying in the comments. We’re reading and know how you deleted (or not deleted) our edits.

9. Remember, this isn’t a one-time letter or comment. We need systematic change. Your letter and actions better include a plan on how you plan to change and how you will be held accountable. We’re in a marathon here – set up landmarks so black equity is always in your plans.

8. Be clear in your language and don’t skirt important words. I’ve noticed that some are scared to explicitly list the names of those murdered or talk about events. If you’re sending an email than you have to be loud, you have to be clear.

7. Are you admitting your faults? Are you admitting your areas of growth? We’re all complicate and the systems we created supported the injustices. This is a time to be real to those who know you. If more of us stress our wrongs, others will as well and together we can grow.

6. Don’t put the onus on black individuals to reach out. Some have asked for black members of their community to get in touch and while I realize you want to highlight them and their work, you are putting the weight and work on them. Do the freaking work.

5. I’ve seen emails that say ‘especially as a person of color’. As a POC, I am asking you to pull yourself back to prioritize your black colleagues, supporters, and community members. Racism is everywhere but no, I do not know what it feels like to be black and neither do you.

4. WHERE ARE THE RESOURCES? So many of these emails have no links to where people can go to read more and educate themselves. An email needs purpose and action. Ask individuals to review the resources, talk to them about the resources.

3. Sending an email saying you support BLM is great but are you listing the actions you will take, the space you will create for uncomfortable conversation? As a reader, I need to know what you are doing to hold yourself accountable and where to go to see it.

2. Many emails reference People of Color. Do you really mean all people of color or black people? Right now, we’re talking about black lives. Be specific when you talk. Non-black POC’s also have a lot of work to do.

1. Please don't say the ‘death’ of black individuals. Saying they died is an injustice to how they died. They were murdered and your message needs to honor that. Using words like ‘killed’ show you understand what happened.

I’ve been reviewing and editing letters written by individuals, executives, and organizations who want to put out messages supporting the BLM movement. Here are a few things that have continuously come up (read thread)

If you’ve lost your income because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit will give you $2,000 a month for up to 4 months. It doesn’t matter whether you worked full time, on contract, or were self-employed - you qualify and can apply starting the week of April 6th.

Dear @fordnation and @JustinTrudeau - watch these videos from some of the 840,000 voices urging you to #cancelrent and mortgages now. #covid19 means many can't pay. cancelrentnow.ca

If we can agree that compassion trumps commerce, then we'll prank the system that pits us against one another. And maybe if we prank it well enough, we will forever alter it, if not dismantle it all together.

I don't believe that the change today is about paying rent - it is about how we show up for those who can't. It's about what we stand for and what values we agree on.

If we are united in common action, unprecedented change is possible.

- Make time to listen to anyone who wants to share what they’re going through or that has an idea on how I can be in better solidarity with them. - Provide civil and constructive contributions to all conversations I encounter and stand up for our basic right to shelter.

Here’s what actions I will take today: - Pay my rent, because as of now I can. - Sign rent freeze petitions. - Share information that supports people in understanding their options.

I’ll share the actions that I know to take in this thread. If you have any suggestions, I would love to learn from you and unite our actions better.