COMMITMENTS + ACTION ITEMS

THESE WORDS ARE OPEN FOR ALL TO READ YET INTENDED FOR WEST PERRO STOCKISTS, COLLABORATORS, PARTNERS, SUPPORTERS + FOLLOWERS THAT IDENTIFY AS LIGHT SKINNED, OR OTHERWISE WHITE:

For those who are new or didn’t know, I’m Jimmy — Maker and Designer behind West Perro. I am a light skinned, white male that identifies as gay, with a privilege based on the color of my skin.

The murderous events of the last decade have resonated in my mind and heart, but I haven’t taken enough anti-racist action. Black Americans are fighting for their livelihood and it is unacceptable to be a sleeping non-racist. WAKE UP.

I will be one of hopefully hundreds of millions of white Americans that say, ‘I have been part of the problem and have much work to do.’ White Privilege + Racial-based Murder has to be recognized before it can end.

• The actions of this country’s police force on the lives of Black Americans is a crime.

• The inactions of this country’s administration(s) to protect the lives of its Black citizens is inhumane.

• And the inactions of this country’s white folks who have failed their fellow Black neighbors is demoralizing.

I have experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation, but I will never understand the profound and systemic effects + impact of racism. Before it can end, Action must begin — on every level of our society.

By way of West Perro — I HAVE TO DO BETTER

By way of West Perro — I HAVE TO DO MORE

THERE IS WORK TO BE. ACTION MUST HAPPEN.

Words will have no meaning without actions, and without actions we will have no justice. I am committed, by way of West Perro, in my participation and solidarity through these ACTIONS:

• Participating in, Progressing the dialogue on the importance of Black representation in the creative arts and small business economy

• Recognizing the lack of Black and BIPOC brand partnerships, giveaways + contests and committed to increasing these actively

• Recognizing the lack of Black representation on West Perro’s Instagram, and Committing to increase visibility of + for Black-identified supporters and followers

• Increased Collaborations with Black-identified Product + Lifestyle Influencers

• COMPLETED: Art Raffle in partnership with Rogue Habits

• COMPLETED: Donation of 15% of highest week of sales for every month starting in May for 2020 and a 9 Wall Hanging Auction with all sales dollars donated (see below)

  • Donation-based giving in partnership to local-led organizations to end Racial Injustice through Police Divestment, Communities of Color Reinvestment + Legislation Change — through The Black Bay Area, People’s Breakfast Oakland, SO OAKLAND, Black Organizing Project + Keep It Oakland/Oakland Indie Alliance.
    

WEST PERRO will show up for Ending Police Brutality against Black Americans.

WEST PERRO will show up for Ending Racial Injustice against Black Americans.

Please join me in listening to Black Voices and the pain that has been caused, educating yourself on Black History, acknowledging your ignorance + aversion to discussing racism, donating money to your local Black-led Racial Justice organizations, demanding federal, state + local legislation/policy change from your elected officials through letter writing, petition signing and showing up at protests, actively taking a role in the inclusion of Black + Black-represented Voices into the decision making around all components of your life + work.

I am personally committing to these Actions.

JOIN ME IN CHANGE.

—Jimmy Brower, Maker + Designer of West Perro

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A LOCAL BAY-AREA BLACK-LED ORGANIZATION