Happy 2023! It is a new year and for many people, a time to reflect on the past year, shake off some mental or physical cobwebs and embrace the new year. To prep for writing this year’s Fakequity pledge I pulled up the 2022 Fakequity pledge and was reminded this time last year we had just witnessed the January 6 attack on the US Capitol and were in the middle of the Omicron COVID waves. I mention this to remind us of the past and to think about the future.

The theme for the 2023 Fakequity Pledge is Connections. How can we use the new year to connect differently, more deeply, or to find new connections. Perhaps in a few weeks I’ll dive more into why this topic came up and how we can build upon the theme. For now, I hope you enjoy the pledge.

In 2023 I will connect:

1. Connect more deeply with the land in different ways, especially in ways that are more justice based with the land itself and Native and Indigenous people from the lands you are on.
2. Connect differently with food and understand food sovereignty and food justice efforts led by POCs.
3. Connect with POCs across racial groups to build solidarities and justice based relationships
4. Connect with people around something that is fun, joyful, or brings you happiness or pleasure.
5. Renew a connection from the past.

Build Connections

1. I will seek out a new partnership or connection to support an effort or cause that benefits others (think about this from a racial justice lens).
2. Build a connection in my own learning – what pieces of information do you have that need to connect to think about problems in new ways.
3. Build a connection between people who don’t know each other. Who can you bring together that can mutually support each other? Can you use your network to help people connect more?
4. Seek out an elder to build a connection. Even something as small as nodding to an elder counts, but hopefully you’ll take it a step farther to really connect with an elder.
5. Build connections with local nonprofits, schools, and organizations that are POC led and embedded. Find ways to support them on their terms and ways that builds them up.

Deepen Connections

1. Intentionally connect spending habits to values – shop at POC businesses, support POC arts, etc.
2. Deepen connections by NOT spending/consuming more than we need – what can you skip in order to deepen a connection? Sometimes not doing something or not buying something opens new ways of thinking or connecting. Think about this in ways that support climate justice and POC movements around climate. 2.2 Deepen connections to the things we already have to better utilize it and not consume more.
3. Deepen ways of learning more about racism. Diversify your media input, listen to more and diverse POC voices. Find new ways of understanding race and racism – I’m leaving this purposefully vague – deepening learning is different for everyone.
4. Deepen your work around accessibility and disability justice. (If you’re just starting out read some past Fakequity posts to learn more. Here are a few: How to make your interviews more inclusive and less painful, Disability Rights So White, When Non-Disabled People Get Accommodations Who Benefits: Things to think about when working remotely, and Abelism BINGO)
5. Deepen your own connections to things that are meaningful to you and support your efforts around being your best self.  

I hope you build and renew connections as you welcome 2023. May the new year be bright and connected for you.

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Why I wrote this: To think about new ways of thinking and acting.

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I am writing from the lands of the 29 federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribes in now Washington State, including the Coast Salish people — Duwamish, Muckleshoot, Suquamish, Snoqualmie, Snohomish, and Native American organizations that have treaty rights and have been here since time immemorial. I give my thanks to the elders, Native and Indigenous colleagues and relations, and the land itself. Fakequity pays “rent” to Native organizations in Washington and Hawaii; a small act to repair and work to be in more justice-based relations.