Each month for the foreseeable future, we are collecting donations to send to charitable organizations and causes in the US. For 2020 and onwards, these highlighted organizations are ones that are centered around education and the fight against racism. It is clear that the specialty coffee industry, and society as a whole, have much to address regarding this long-standing issue. And a way to start is to contribute to those groups that are knowledgeable about action and teach those around them to unlearn racism.
For the month of January, we will be collecting for Anti-Racism Commitment Coalition (ARCC). This will continue until the last day of the month.
The organization's mission "is to provide inspiration, education, and support for you to practice and spread anti-racism. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education.”
To donate, you can select the amount you wish to contribute as an add-on for your product purchases. Acaia will publicly provide proof of donations when they are sent to the organization.
In their own words:
"ARCC is here to teach and help you with your transformation to anti-racism by providing support and resources in three critical areas:
1. Erasing IGNORANCE about racism.
Erasing IGNORANCE about racism and hate, whether it’s unconscious or conscious but ignored. We promote social justice and the erasure of structural, systemic, and institutional racism. Here, we openly talk about white privilege and stereotypes like the “model minority.”
2. Building INTELLIGENCE about anti-racism.
Building INTELLIGENCE by learning about anti-racism and understanding how it differs from non-racism. The biggest impediment to eradicating racism is not the racist. It's the “non-racist,” who is unwilling to see the reality of structural and systemic racism or take action to destroy it and acknowledge history—which further supports the institution and endurance of racism. There is no middle ground with racism. You're on the side of racism or the side of anti-racism."
3. Developing CHARACTER to spread anti-racism.
Developing CHARACTER, confidence, resolve, and determination to act on the knowledge and capability you build to eradicate racism and spread anti-racism. We encourage members to speak up against the microaggressions they hear every day."