bēkn

A leader with a voice, a message, and a dream that will never fade. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered not one, but many powerful speeches that shook and inspired a global audience and continues to do so to this very day.

Black and white photography fools us into thinking that the Civil Rights Movement happened many life times ago, when in fact it was only roughly 50 years ago. Many of his peers are still alive today. It makes you wonder, what would have been?

Dr. King Jr. entrusted us - the people - with his knowledge, wisdom, and dream. It’s upsetting that people are still fighting for their human rights. It’s upsetting that not much has changed in the oppressive systems that be. Let us remember, “if we are to go forward, if we are to make this a better world in which we live, we’ve got to go back. The principle of value we need to rediscover is that all reality hinges on moral foundations”. – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The dream remains alive and with it hope. It feels like we’ve gone back as a multi-generational group and are confronting darkness together. It feels like we on the road towards healing, stepping into the light, and cultivating a better tomorrow for all. It is and has been far from easy, but we can’t slow down. It’s our moral responsibility to continue until the dream unfolds.

Happy birthday Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thank you ✊🏽🧡

Take time today to say, I love you.

We extend our hearts to our community, friends and families that experienced a loss on this tragic day 19 years ago.

In remembrance of that Tuesday morning that shook the world, we honor the brave heroes that saved thousands of lives on a day thousands faced an unimaginable catastrophe. We celebrate the memory of humans that demonstrated powerful leadership, profound courage, and the greatest gesture of love giving their lives to save the lives of others.

In the wake of an unbelievable tragedy, exhausted with looming despair, people came together and with resilience, through empathy, embraced one another standing stronger than before.

September 11, 2001
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Bēkn Weekly Digest • 09/06/20
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Highlighting Local Organizations, Projects, Resources, & People.
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This week in Berkeley, CA.







̄kn

Bēkn Weekly Digest • 08/30/20
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Highlighting Local Organizations, Projects, Resources, & People.
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This week in Oakland, CA.







@ Oakland, California

Happy Pride! ✨🏳️‍🌈 ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍✨

It is apparent that entire systems of oppression must be dismantled and in their place we the people must create new inclusive communities that respect the freedom and the rights of people who just want to live and love.

We are all different and it’s those differences that make us unique; that make us ourselves. As humans we must respect each other and give each other strength, through love and courage to be who we are. To be unafraid to live. To be unafraid to love.

We celebrate the beauty and resilience of the lgbtq+ community. Love always wins 🌈

Every action counts.

It has never been clearer that each and every one of us has an important role to play as we bring about change in our communities around the world. Everyone can make a difference. Everyone was born with the innate ability to contribute to society; to contribute and achieve beyond oneself.

As we fight to dismantle white supremacy, as we fight to bring justice to the innocent Black lives murdered by inhumane police brutality perpetuated by white supremacy, as we fight for help and equality as COVID-19 disproportionately impacts BIPOC communities, as we fight to reunite kids that were torn away from their families by U.S. Immigration, as we fight to aid millions of innocent people living through the worst humanitarian crisis in the world in which famine, disease, and war descends and kills, displaces, and leaves destitute at least 80% of a country’s population, as we fight to mobilize political will and resources so refugees forced to flee their homes to escape conflict or persecution are not deprived of basic human right and can not only survive but thrive, as we fight and do all that we can to create, cultivate, and commit to a mindfully just, inclusive, and equal world, we must never forget that we make a difference.

Our individual actions count no matter where you are from, what language you speak, the color of your skin, your gender identity, or what trials and tribulations you have had to overcome. Every action counts in a world where no one is left behind. Every voice is not just heard, but listened to. You count. You matter. You make a difference.

bēkn imagines a world where humans build and cultivate community together by connecting leaders, dreamers, and doers with ideas, causes, and resources that contribute to society in mindful and meaningful ways. Our vision goes beyond boarders. Our vision is beyond us. Our vision includes you, as you are are.

What change do you stand for? Fight for? What change will you inspire or aspire to see? Be a part of?

The systemic cycle of oppression and injustice will stop and transform through us - the people - and no one else. We [bēkn] are a tool, a space to organize, inspire, support, and create. You [the people] are the catalyst for change; for transformation.

bēkn stands in solidarity with our black and brown sisters and brothers in our community and around the world. We extend our hearts to all the innocent lives taken away and their loved ones.

We would like to respectfully remind our community that we must be mindful of the content - video and images - that we share since some of us experience a deeper level of trauma when seeing such things. However, we can still amplify the message and the information for those who are no longer with us, for those who stand up and fight for human rights, for those that are constantly being silenced and “swept under the rug”; the overlooked, the unseen.

Stay strong community. We hear you, we see you, we feel you, we are with you ✊🏽 Together we will prevail.



̄kn

50 years and still we stand banded together fighting for our planet; our home.

Today marks the 50th Earth Day anniversary. What started as an idea in Senator Ga***rd Nelson head after having witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barabara, California back in 1969 along with many others has turned into a worldwide movement. This idea to focus on rising environmental concerns and issues fused with the energy of students anti-war protest gave voice to the state of our planet and since then has mobilized leaders, doers, and dreamers that stand and fight for our home.

The fight for a clean world continues with a great urgency now more than ever. We have all now experienced or witnessed some form of climate crisis, but there is still hope.

Environmental awareness continues to grow as it spreads faster than ever before through our digital communities and social media. Conversations are being held, mobilization is happening, and information and solutions are being shared. All across the world people are taking steps forward in unity to solve some of humanities greatest challenges.

Protectors of water, land, and life, we see you, we respect you, we stand with you, and we thank you. 🙏🏽❤️🌍
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First image: Union Square Park in New York City, April 22, 1970. Bettmann Archive/Ghetty Images
Pictures after that were taken in Berkeley, California, September 20, 2019. Climate Strike.