It's that time of year when you may be looking for Christmas gifts for family and friends or maybe a few ideas for your own wishlist. Check out our list of racial justice-themed gift ideas from members of the J&RR Team!
Gifts
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Created and sold by the Equal Justice Initiative, these calendars provide a wealth of information about racial justice, from the inception of our country up through the present. They also show the grit, perseverance, and determination of African Americans. The information is fascinating. |
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Pam Hinrichs and LaVonne DuBois |
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Coffee |
For the coffee aficionado in your life, pick up a coffee gift card or a bag of whole beans from Black Coffee Northwest, a Black owned small business coffee shop in Shoreline. The "Grounded" beans are an Ethiopian dark roast and a portion of sales directly benefits the shop's youth leadership initiatives. |
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Grace Brown |
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"Good Trouble" and other shirts on Etsy |
If you would like to give something other than a book to someone on your list this year, I recommend taking a look at the shirts and items on Etsy. You could choose a shirt that honors John Lewis which simply says, "Good Trouble." Or how about a shirt that says, "Make Racism Wrong Again"? A shirt I particularly like is this colorful one. You can go to Etsy and do a search yourself for items that might work well for the people on your list. Best wishes for finding just the right gift! |
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Monica Nunan |
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Face Mask |
Give the gift of a face mask bearing the message "Love Your Neighbor" or "Black Lives Matter." |
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John Garrett |
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First Aid Kit |
For your friend who was inspired by Anthony Ballard's sermon to show up at protests to pray for people, create a small kit of useful items to carry with them. |
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John Garrett |
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I really enjoy shopping at Eighth Generation which is owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, and whose products are 100% Native-designed. I have (and love) these earrings that are cast locally here in the Seattle area. I also love so many other things on the site which range from stocking stuffers (like socks) to more expensive large, wool blankets. Shopping here is a simple way to support Native artists and a local tribe rather than businesses that might exploit or appropriate Native art (for more info, see their blog post "Can I Buy & Wear Eighth Generation Products if I'm Not Native?"). |
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Alyssa Caulley |
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A Gift of Scripture |
Give the gift of a favorite Scripture. You can choose a verse or passage and look online for gifts related to it, or you can create your own. I have downloaded my favorite Scriptures and prayers and put them on posterboard to hang on my wall. One of my favorites is The Warrior's Prayer based on Ephesians 6:10-18. Using this prayer helps me focus and be ready for anyone or anything that is placed in my path, and more importantly, it strengthens me daily for everything and gives me real peace. |
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Pat Barnes-Cannon |
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Contribute to Nonprofits |
You can make contributions in the name of another person. I have made contributions to Urban Impact in Seattle and World Relief. You could also contribute groceries to the Groceries for Families program at Jubilee REACH. |
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Pearl Stein |
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Support Black-Owned Businesses |
I discovered that you can google "black owned businesses in Seattle/Eastside" and get a list of businesses. During the pandemic, restaurants have been hit hard and especially those owned by African Americans. We can get food and take it to another person as a gift or get a gift card or just take a friend there for dinner/lunch and pay for it. I don't think there are many who would not welcome food delivered so they do not need to cook. |
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Pearl Stein |
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Toys from Black-Owned Retailers |
Find toys and gifts from Black Owned businesses on the Black Owned section of blacktoystore.com. |
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Alyssa Caulley |
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Ideas from Be the Bridge |
Check out the Anti-Racism Gift Guide from Be the Bridge for a curated list of ideas. |
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Grace Brown |
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For your business gifting, check out the collection of Black Boxes from The Ally League, a recent winner of Urban Impact's Sharks at the Beach Entrepreneurship Program. They offer a collection of curated boxes containing products from Black entrepreneurs. Choose from one of their themed boxes or create your own. |
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Heather Hedlund |
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Equal Justice Initiative Online Store |
If you've read Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, you'll appreciate the work being done by his organization, EJI. In their online shop, you can purchase apparel, books, calendars, and accessories to support their work and increase awareness and understanding. |
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Alyssa Caulley and Heather Hedlund |
Experiences
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Movie Tickets |
My family intends to watch the movie King Richard sometime this Holiday season when we are all together. We have been anxiously anticipating this film which tells the story of Venus and Serena Williams and their father. It tells the story of their rise to excellence and the racism they had to face. |
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Pam Hinrichs |
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MLK Prayer Breakfast |
Purchase a seat for someone to attend the MLK Prayer Breakfast with you on January 17, 2022. |
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Lavelle Freudenberg |
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Museum Tickets |
Purchase tickets to go to a museum like the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience or invite someone to go with you. The Wing Luke Museum will reopen in March. Enjoy time together while learning about the history, achievements, and challenges faced by other racial groups. A shared personal experience where multiple senses are engaged can build bridges of understanding and open channels of communication. Good for a high school or college student, or anyone you have been hoping to engage in racial justice and reconciliation discussions. |
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Lavelle Freudenberg |
Books
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This Bible has fascinating introductory essays and callouts within the text featuring insights from African American, Asian American, Latinx, and Native American perspectives on scriptures that I'm intimately familiar with. It helps me recognize how my own culture shapes how I read the Bible, and introduces me to profound, exciting perspectives I hadn't considered. This is a great gift for anyone who enjoys Bible study and is open to the beauty of a kaleidoscope of interpretations. (Note: it's very expensive on Amazon and elsewhere, so I recommend getting it while it's in stock at christianbook.com!) |
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Alyssa Caulley |
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Ms. Angelou was a wise, beautiful African American writer. This is a collection of some of her best and most inspiring quotes. |
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Pam Hinrichs |
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I am a fan of his. Trevor Noah is honest and frank with his comedy and his commentary, and of course wraps it all in humor. "Born A Crime" is his story of being born and growing up in South Africa under apartheid. His story will make you smile, it may make you sad, and it may make you angry. But it is a joy to read. |
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William Starks |
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For me, this book addresses the often-asked question of why we are where we are regarding race. It also clearly explores the ramifications of "supremacy": slavery, racism, genocide, segregation, apartheid, etc. |
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William Starks |
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This would be a good gift for any white person who doesn't think they have a history or background of racism, someone who experiences people of color's versions of events as incongruent with theirs and are therefore inaccurate or unbelievable. She gives lessons and tips that can help move others from confusion and avoidance to constructive engagement, connection, and courageous action. |
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LaVonne DuBois |
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Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II |
A great gift for the history buff. This book shares the journeys of Japanese American young men during World War II. Some fought heroically in Europe while others battled for civil rights at home. Meanwhile their families endured years of internment. Young men from Seattle, Spokane, Hawaii, and California are featured, so there is a lot of local interest as well. |
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Heather Hedlund |