50 Miles More believes in growing together while learning and unlearning, and dismantling systemic oppression within our communities, each other, and our individual selves. As Executive Director, I have always tried my best to lead by listening to others. With that being said, 50 Miles More will be taking a break indefinitely. The truth is: we simply need a break. This is a radical, revolutionary act of self-care and self-love. It is capitalism and white supremacy that tells us we shouldn’t take breaks, we challenge this notion. This movement deserves our best selves and our healthiest selves, and right now, we are not. We have a lot of trauma and grief we need to process from doing movement work.
Instead of our funds sitting indefinitely, we will be donating funds to Generation Green , a Black youth led organization fighting for social justice through an environmental liberation lens. They will use the funds to do the impactful, immediate work required for our collective liberation.
This past summer, we literally organized a 65 mile march for Black LGBTQ+ youth, marching in rural Wisconsin. We were told we were naive, silly youth. We did something that many adults would never do, and I am forever proud of every single marcher that joined us. I did not expect that after our march ended I would have a new family I could cry, laugh, and be in community with. You all have changed my life so much. Also to our our co-conspirators, I love you. From driving us to events, to providing food, to putting your life physically on the line for us, you all are the reason I believe in a rainbow coalition. Radical unity only.
I want to personally thank Freedom Inc., WI Council of Churches, Zao MKE Church and so many others. Thank you to our elders that mentored us. I also want to thank our fiscal sponsor, March On. Lastly, thank you to every single person that has donated to us, prayed for us, or shared our work. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
With love and solidarity