Kira Liss, Birth & Movement
St Clarens Avenue M6H3X7 Toronto, ON, Canada

From the BIPOC Midwifery Collective: "We are creating the Ontario Black Midwifery Student Relief Fund to ease the financial burden of aspiring Black midwives. The Black midwifery community has indicated that there is a need for this financial relief as it is often paired with overwhelming stress amidst other obstacles and hardships that arise when applying for and completing their studies." Considering donating if you're able?

I posted this series a few days ago on Instagram not knowing what to expect...but I've had such a positive response from folks all over and even quite a few req...uests to get this on FB, so here it is! Edit: Please do not print anything from or reshare this post without proper attribution. I am hoping to release a free educational digital sharing version as well as a purchasable print version in the coming weeks if you are interested! I've had this series idea lingering in my head for a while now, initially feeling very apprehensive to weigh in on a topic thought of as uncomfortable to many white folk. But a large portion of my identity is rooted in my culture and experience as a minority, affecting every aspect of my life, and I realized I should just do it. As a half-white, half-Korean American I have first-hand experienced the hardships that come with being a minority in the US, as well as some of the privilege that comes with being "white enough" to fly under the radar. This series predominantly illustrates the racial inequality of Black Americans and their direct oppression in the US, however many of these concepts can be applied to other minorities and European countries. I do want to preface that I am not speaking on behalf of all minorities, that the experience of each minority is unique to their respective history and environmental circumstances, and I will continue to do my best to acknowledge the hardships of my fellow minorities and amplify their voices. Through this, and minimizing the stigma around racial inequality, I hope everyone can have a bit more compassion for those who different than us and be able to validate the experiences of others, even if acknowledging them makes us uncomfortable. I can't emphasize this enough, but the advocation of racial equality for minorities or identifying white privilege does not invalidate the hardships or successes of white folk, it just puts them into a different perspective that would be negligent not to acknowledge as different from that of minorities. In addition to many comments from folk validating this experience and acknowledging their privilege, I also have had some negative responses, and of course some very intense direct messages with vulgar terms...as expected! I ask that if you do have a very defensive or angry response to this content, I want you to know that it's valid for you to feel whatever way you feel, as your feelings are a natural reaction created by your unique experiences. However, I do ask that you have some compassion, as I will have for you, and that you can start to listen to my experience, the experiences of other minorities, and the collective experience many minorities are trying so desperately to express.

Check out this mentorship with a wonderful teacher of mine, Sasha Padron. https://m.facebook.com/events/265750154573938/?ti=ls

"The pandemic running wild through this country has not only altered our day to day activities, but has also changed the plans that we may have had for our pregnancy. This peer-led support group will offer a space for us to touch on the subject of impending pregnancies and deliveries, and what that looks like with the current climate of the country as it relates to the COVID-19 precautions and restrictions."

Wednesday mornings, 8:30am EST. All levels, slow flow yoga inspired classes infused with a little pilates. Suitable for all bodies and experience levels. It’s ideal if you have a yoga mat, blanket/towel and blocks/books. Follow the Zoom link (in profile) and type in the date of the class (no space, no caps, ie april29) as the password. Before or after the class, please send an e-transfer for $3-20 to [email protected] if you’re able. Trades are also welcome. If that’s not accessible, you’re welcome to join anyway, no questions asked. See you on the mat