Virtual Family Day(s) For Action: Yes Justice Yes Peace!
Every second Sunday of the month, Mia hosts a free monthly event for families, kids, and the young at heart featuring hands-on art activities, live music, dance performances, artist demonstrations, family tours, and more — all inspired by Mia’s incredible collection. Although the museum’s doors are closed for the safety of our community, we can still gather virtually!
Family Day Major Sponsor: 
To shift focus to the most pressing needs of rebuilding our communities with love, join us for “Family Day(s) for Action: Yes Justice Yes Peace!” which will share family-friendly resources and activities centering Black Lives Matter throughout the month of June. Mia’s Family Programs commits to continue to uplift and celebrate local Black artists, storytellers, and community members so that all children and families can truly see and feel that Black lives matter.
Activities
To Minneapolis, With Love Card Exchange
“We’ve talked a lot about race, racism, and inequity both historically and current in our family, but we had never read “Something Happened in Our Town” together. I could tell that the book brought so many of the ideas together for my 5-year-old. He was sad and angry about police violence.”
How did the Black Lives Matter movement start? With a love letter: “We need to love ourselves and fight for a world where Black lives matter,” Alicia Garza wrote on her Facebook page one night, after a man who admitted shooting and killing a Black boy named Trayvon Martin was allowed to go free. “Black people, I love you. I love us. We matter.” Love letters for justice can do powerful things.
As part of Family Day(s) of Action: Yes Justice, Yes Peace! Mia has joined Juxtaposition Arts to receive and share Love Letters 4 Black Lives written by families across the nation and addressed to families in Minneapolis. Click here to see a small selection of some of the beautiful letters received, and click here to learn more about Juxtaposition Arts — a vibrant Black and POCI organization in North Minneapolis where youth are creatively building the abundant and just future they envision.
“To Minneapolis, With Love: Love Letters 4 Black Lives” is part of a summer-long initiative, Family Summer 4 Black Lives (#FamilySummer4BlackLives), led by five family-centered racial justice organizations and networks that include:
What Do You Want to Remember from This Moment?
A Visual Diary by Art Team
“What do you want to remember from this moment?” was the question that guided the creative responses from three teens from Mia’s Art Team. Art Team is a dynamic group of teen staff members who help create and host public events at Mia, including Rated T and Family Days.
We hope you find strength and inspiration viewing the following visual and written responses from Will, Mahawa, and Rhea. And we encourage you to take a moment to reflect and creatively respond to the same question of “What do you want to remember from this moment?” Click here to read the visual diary.
All-Ages Art Lesson: Zanele Muholi
Zanele Muholi (South African, born 1972), Siya Kolela, Makhaza, Khayelitscha, Cape Town, 2011, Gelatin Silver Print. The Robert C. Winton Fund, 2014.75.1
Honor Pride Month and Black queer artists learning about Zanele Muholi, a self-proclaimed “visual activist” who documents the Black lesbian and transgender community in South Africa and its diaspora. Check out the interactive activities and teaching resources for all ages created and generously shared by the Brooklyn Museum to deepen your knowledge about this powerful artist. Click here to access the activity. To learn more about Zanele Muholi, click here for an additional teaching resource from the Brooklyn Museum.
Music and Message from Jarelle Barton
https://youtu.be/Wg_6XPRaUX0
“Take a moment to notice the sun today. The sun and the stars are precious gems, life without them would be sad. We need the trees, we need the rivers and we need each other. Life is our best friend and every day we should take a moment to do a nice thing no matter how big or small. So, always be kind and bring a smile to your friends and family by doing kind things and saying nice words that will bring happiness and friendship.”
Bio: Jarrelle Barton (Chinese name: Jie Ao, 杰遨) began learning guzheng from master Li Jiaxiang (李嘉骧) at the age of 14, a former musician of the Beijing Dance Academy (北京舞蹈学院) who had studied with the zheng master Fan Shang’e. From Li, Barton learned traditional pieces as well as modern-style guzheng solos. Now 27, Barton is in constant demand for events throughout the Twin Cities and beyond, and developed an international following online.
Juneteenth for Mazie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PChQwLbQjcE
You Matter and Black Lives Matter
Watch and listen to You Matter read by author and illustrator Christian Robinson via PBS KIDS.
This content is shared with permission from Christian Robinson.
Seeing the beautiful community action happening in the Twin Cities, Christian wrote, “Though it came out of so much pain and tragedy, I’ve been so inspired by the movement and action by your city that has spread all over the world. I hope you and your family have been safe during this time.”
Check out more beautiful books by Christian Robinson at The Art of Fun, all of which are great for young readers and can be found at your local library or bookstore.
Check out this guide designed to support conversations about racial injustice and civic engagement for educators and families with young children. This guide is no way comprehensive, but we hope it serves to keep important conversations going within your homes, schools, and communities. There are three parts which you can explore at your own pace with the young people in your life:
- Discussion prompts inspired by the children’s book “You Matter” by Christian Robinson
- Talking points to understand why it’s important to advocate for Black Lives Matter
- Be the Change Collage Making Activity
Click here to view the guide.
