Sunday, June 21, 2020

Black Lives Matter


On Sunday, June 28th Landry’s Bicycles will be hosting a socially distanced benefit ride in support of Black Lives Matter. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Black Lives Matter. The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd have affected us deeply. This is not a new problem by any means. Racial injustice has gone on far too long. We can’t be silent any longer. 

The ride itself will be a way for all of us to act, to reflect and to perhaps become more aware and driven to create a better community of inclusiveness and to not remain silent in the face of police brutality or racial violence and inequity.

It will be an opportunity to listen and to learn and to make lasting change.

We welcome all to be a part of our ride and to support Black Lives Matter.


Registration info can be found here: https://www.bikereg.com/black-lives-matter-ride


The past 90 days have been like some kind of Cosmic Wake Up Call. Covid-19 rocked our world. If it didn't rock yours I don't even know what to say to you. It also gave us space to maybe come to grips with some harsh truths of white privilege. I still remember vividly the police brutality of Rodney King. I was living in SF at the time. It sparked a firestorm that felt like real social change. But we got distracted as we do. Then flash forward to George Floyd being murdered by the police in cold blood. All captured on camera phones so there was no dispute how horrific a crime it was. Coupled with the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and a true tipping point has seemed to happen. I am not sure if it is we finally have the space to see the truth or if maybe this time we finally say enough is enough. But to me it feels like a real change is occurring. When my good friend asked me to put on Black Lives Matter ride to raise funds and awareness I was like yes. I am in. 100%. 


It has been a true learning for me. Since that conversation on a picnic bench in the middle of a pandemic behind Landry's in Newton I have been reaching out. Listening and learning. And I think what we have come up with is so important. So many people have been silent too long. It is time to speak up against this police brutality and violence against BIPOC. Today (or technically yesterday) another one of our community Jim Cummins the race director of Dirty Kanza had the audacity to post on Facebook and state that the murder of Rayshard Brooks was "justified" No. Just no. This is the whole POINT of the Black Lives Matter movement. This is WHY Colin Kaepernick took a knee. Yes, he was fired. Great. But that is not enough. It is time to stand up and say this is not ok and we will not stay silent amidst this hate and bias. 


We are going to hold a ride for Black Lives Matter. It is one tiny step forward. But honestly, in the short period of time I have been going full speed ahead to make it happen I have learned so much. This time people are showing their best. I mean so many people have stepped up and supported the ride. Landry's first of all. HUGE props to them for supporting this. Hale. I have been so impressed by the team there. They opened their arms to this. They have been 100% supportive. As has Drink Simple and Velocio. Bikes not Bombs has been so great. Honestly the support has been overwhelming. I still have so much to learn. But I am trying. Every day. 




I hope you will join us. I really think this will be a launch of for so much great work in the community in Boston and New England. We can make a difference. I know we can.