Rise Up CBAA

Dear CBAA,

I woke up this morning feeling troubled about the news of another mass shooting in Monterrey Park, California. It has only been 24 days in the year 2023, and there have already been 39 mass shootings in the US.

When I watched the video of George Floyd's murder, I saw my father, husband, brothers, and cousins in his face. I also saw my grandparents in the faces of the victims at the Tops grocery store in Buffalo. I saw my children in the faces of the victims at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. I saw my friends in the faces of the victims at Club Q in Colorado Springs. And I saw my aunt and cousins in the faces of the victims at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterrey Park where people were celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Writing and posting a statement of solidarity for the victims and the families affected by the tragedies that keep happening is not enough anymore. We need to put our words into action and galvanize a movement together. We can take inspiration from the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. From December 5, 1955, to December 20, 1956, a community of African Americans demonstrated the power of mobilization, patience, and perseverance. We are creative people and can use our creativity as our superpower in a movement toward change. It must happen now, and it will take all of us working together.

I am starting the RISE UP Task Force today to put our words into action. We will have monthly meetings to mobilize our communities and share our voices by using our creativity. We will post and share what we make using the hashtag #riseupCBAA. Let’s do this together in unity.

Join now. https://forms.gle/8NbQpUmYmgxGt8EKA

Thanks,
Sarah Matthews
she/her/hers
President of CBAA
president@collegebookart.org