Update on Duanna Johnson Fundraiser

From the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition

For Immediate Release: Dated November 15, 2008

A Very Special Thank You

Yesterday afternoon, the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition issued a special appeal on behalf of the family of Duanna Johnson to help them cover funeral expenses.

In only four hours, nearly two hundred people responded by opening their hearts and their wallets. You donated over $5300 to the fund. We are still counting the final figures, but not only will this cover the costs of the funeral, but all of the remaining money is being given directly to the family to use as they see fit.

We realize your donations will not ease the pain of Duanna’s tragic loss to her family, but you have sent a message to the world that the lives of transgender people matter, and that we appreciate Duanna’s fight for respect.

Words cannot begin to express the heartfelt gratitude of all the members of TTPC who are touched by your incredble generosity.

The link to the Duanna Johnson Funeral Fund on our website is closed now, but if you still wish to make donations, either to Duanna’s family, or to assist TTPC in the work we do to provide a voice for Tennessee’s transgender community, you can still do so through our regular donation page. We will honor all requests to use the money as you designate.

We pledge to continue Duanna’s fight with the same dignity that she showed.

Thank you.

Rest in Peace Duanna.

Marisa Richmond
President

Winona LaDuke’s House Burned Down

I just read this tragic news about Winona LaDuke from Plain(s)feminist and I’m helping to spread the word. Please help get the word out.

This past weekend, Winona’s house had an electrical fire and the house burnt to the ground. No one was hurt. While the house and its contents are gone, the blessing is that all five kids and three grandchildren are safe.

I’m writing to you because I know Winona won’t ask for help, and I also know she really needs our support. Winona bought her house about 20 years ago and it was filled with art, books, music, photos and other collectibles that reflected her story and the story of her family. What will be most missed are these memories, and we can recreate some of them.

Photos: One positive thing about being a public figure is that lots of folks have photos of you and your children. We have a good collection at Honor the Earth but I’m asking if you could go through your pictures and send photos you have of the family, especially the kids. Wasey and Ajuwak were born before the digital age so a lot of the photos of them growing up are gone.
Photos would mean a lot.

Movement T-shirts and Art: The kids all had an amazing collection of movement t-shirts that comprised the bulk of their wardrobe. Winona basically shopped for her kids at the events she attended around the world. If you have any political message shirts or shirts from historic activist
events in sizes Small, Large or X-Large, I know the kids would cherish them. Zapatista shirts are a favorite. Also gone is Winona’s amazing collection of posters and art from decades past. I know she would appreciate any no-nukes, safe energy, anti-colonial, no-gmo and Native activist art.

Books: Winona had a library that fed her mind and soul, and that she often turned to for research material. If you can send books, fiction and non-fiction, she can begin her collection again.

Lastly, Winona has a newborn grandson, Little Crow, who along with her two toddler grandchildren lost all of their clothes and blankets. Winter is coming and the family could really use any warm baby clothes along with clothes and outerwear for a two year old girl and a large two year old boy (Giwaadan is a size 4 toddler!).

These are the things — photos, t-shirts and art, books and baby/toddler clothing that I think would be most helpful right now, and would touch the family most.

Winona and the kids are renting an apartment in Detroit Lakes and will be staying there over the winter while envisioning building a new home. Right now, the best shipping address is White Earth Land Recovery/Honor the Earth office up in Calloway:

Winona LaDuke
White Earth Land Recovery Project
607 Main Avenue
Callaway, MN 56521

Duanna Johnson Murdered, Please Help

Update: This seems to be a legit way to donate. The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition

If you haven’t heard yet about the murder of Duanna Johnson, it is a tragedy that needs to be exposed and talked about. From Cara at The Curvature:

Less than five months ago, I wrote about Duanna Johnson — a transgender woman who was beaten by Memphis police while handcuffed and in custody. She was sprayed with mace, hit with a closed fist by an officer who wore handcuffs around his knuckles, ignored by medical staff, and called abhorrent transphobic names. Her attack was caught on tape, and Duanna dared to speak out against the violence and injustice that was committed against her. And two officers were rightfully fired, but wrongfully apparently not prosecuted.

Now, Duanna is dead. She was shot, and her body was found lying in the street. Just left there.

Duanna Johnson’s family needs money to help pay for her funeral. If you can, please donate. Reading through this thread, it seems as if there are a lot of complications going on with making donations to this Funeral Home. Some of it seems awfully shady to me. Since I’m posting this late in the evening, I suggest that folks that are interested in donating and helping this family out make a call to the funeral home first thing tomorrow morning and demand that appropriate accommodations are made for this family to pay for their child’s funeral. This is an outrage. We should not let this stand.

The balance for Duanna Johnson’s funeral is $1195 and the funeral home is requiring Mrs. Skinner (Duanna’s mother) to pay it by tomorrow (11/14). The cost is a hardship, so we are asking anyone who can to donate. Please send any donations to:
N.J. Ford and Sons Funeral Home
12 S Parkway W
Memphis, TN 38109

If you want any clarification from NJ Ford, here is their contact number: (901) 948-7755.

Please forward this to as many people as you can!! Thanks!

Links of help and solidarity. Together, we can make a difference (if you’re putting the word out there and helping as you can, let me know in comments and I’ll add you):

Duanna Johnson’s Family Needs Donations

Duanna Johnson’s Family Needs Donations For Funeral

Transgender Abuse Victim Shot To Death

Duanna Johnson, Murdered

Duanna Johnson Needs Money To Pay For Funeral

Pass-Along: Duanna Johnson’s Family Needs Help Paying for Funeral

And Now The Fords Are Involved

Duanna Johnson’s Family Needs Donations For Funeral

Vote However You Like

So, heading over to MsCripChick’s pad to give her the tag, I see that she posted this video, which I have to share because it’s such an important message. This is some serious “out of the mouths of babes” stuff. I’ve made it clear who I’m voting for tomorrow, but really the important thing is that you actually get out there and vote. For whoever you like. Democracy matters.

And yeah, these kids are damn cute!

Black Bloggers For Education

As I wrote the other day, I’m participating in the DonorsChoose.org Blogger Challenge ’08. Several AfroSpear members and other black bloggers have now grouped together and we have our own Black Bloggers for Education group. Please check out either the page or my widget on the far right sidebar and consider donating to a worthy educational cause. The projects that I’m choosing are focused on literacy and arts education. Any amount helps these kids out.

DonorsChoose.org is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.

Proposals range from “Magical Math Centers” ($200) to “Big Book Bonanza” ($320), to “Cooking Across the Curriculum” ($1,100). Any individual can search such proposals by areas of interest, learn about classroom needs, and choose to fund the project(s) they find most compelling. In completing a project, donors receive a feedback package of student photos and thank-you notes, and a teacher impact letter.

I’m particularly happy today. One of the proposals that I chose to hi-light and draw support for was the Inspiring African American as Class Role Models project. Until today, there were no donors, but I’m happy to say that today an A Slant Truth reader donated $100 to the project. They are now that much closer to reaching their goal. My most heartfelt thanks goes out to the reader and any other readers who decide to donate.

Here are the current bloggers working together under Black Bloggers for Education. Check ‘em out.

T.A. Negro’s Good Karma Challenge (The Assimilated Negro)
SES: Science, Education & Society (SES: Science, Education & Society)
BDPA Foundation (BDPA Foundation)
Jack & Jill Politics (Jack & Jill Politics)
Springer’s Journal (Springer’s Journal)
Fackin Truth Blog Friends (Fackin Truth Blog)

See also, the Blogher Giving Group (Blogher.com)

Ok, now let’s do this, y’all!

Donors Choose 2008 – Literacy Matters

I’m participating in Donors Choose 2008. Here’s how it works:

DonorsChoose.org is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.

Proposals range from “Magical Math Centers” ($200) to “Big Book Bonanza” ($320), to “Cooking Across the Curriculum” ($1,100). Any individual can search such proposals by areas of interest, learn about classroom needs, and choose to fund the project(s) they find most compelling. In completing a project, donors receive a feedback package of student photos and thank-you notes, and a teacher impact letter.

This is a great cause. I’m doing this as part of the Blogger Challenge 2008, but I’m not as interested in the challenge as I am in folks helping students get the books that they need in their classrooms, even if it’s a small contribution. That said, I ask A Slant Truth readers to consider going to my Giving Page and donating to one of the projects that I’ve selected. I’ve chosen projects that focus on literacy in low income schools. Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated.

I also ask that any one that decides they’d like to donate to take a look at the Inspiring African Americans as Class Role Models Project. They need $384 and haven’t received a penny yet. Of course, you should donate to whichever project moves you, but this seems like a really good one to consider.

Big props to The Urban Scientist for asking me to participate in this great endeavor.

Catching UP

Much has gone on in the blog world while I’ve been busy going through, um, life changes if you will. Here’s a taste of things that are getting my groove on, in case you’re like me and always late to the party.

In the wake of the Voter Suppression Wiki, The Afrosphere Action Coalition is leading a National Black Voter Registration Push and the Proud Black Voter blog has state by state voter resignation links so that folks can spread the word on state registration deadlines.

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out Nezua’s DNC O8 Documentary. Good stuff.