Just sharing the below, which was my leaving post on the Black Women Photographers’ Slack - nothing well-thought out or fancy, just an expression of my frustration and disappointment to be part of a group that has chosen to stay silent in the face of the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.  Full text is below image.

“Dear folks, 

It’s with a really heavy heart that I have to take my leave of Black Women Photographers, effective immediately. 

As you will all know, the past 7 weeks have seen what has now become clear is a genocide unfold by the Israeli regime on the people of Palestine. At this point, I believe 12,000 people have been killed. This number does not include those who are stuck beneath rubble, and does nothing to reflect the disturbing degrees of destruction and desecration being carried out in Gaza and the West Bank by Israel.

 I do not believe there can ever be neutrality in the face of genocide. Never. Silence in the face of such evil is complicity, pure and simple. 

BWP was formed to support people who are minoritised in at least two ways (race and gender) and likely multiple more (genderqueerness, disability, class to name only a few). I have therefore been saddened that as a group we have not made a single statement of solidarity or expressed any hint that there is currently a genocide taking place, even in the form of co-signing a statement of solidarity. 

BWP has been an incredible source of support, frienship, knowledge and opportunity since I joined. I will miss it greatly, but even more, I would be ashamed to be associated with and continue to benefit from such a group, and therefore need to leave. 

@Polly Irungu - I had a hint of unease when you initially got the job at the White House. I am now convinced that this directly affects the way you choose to use your voice. I am so sad to see it. 

Hoping to connect with some of you in other places.  

ps - @Polly Irungu or whoever is in charge of Slack Admin, please remove me from the BWP Slack.”