anti-racism and values statement

 

while we have always supported the principles of diversity and inclusion, this specific time in our
society has necessitated further introspection, transparency, and accountability. In 2020 we took the pledge to become an anti-racist organization and know that while taking a public
stance is one step, it is far more important to support that statement with tangible action.
otherwise, our words prove inadequate and hollow.

we are sharing the ongoing work we have begun to put our beliefs into action. implicit in the plan we outline below is an acknowledgement that meaningful change and growth requires hard work and steadfast commitment. We understand that, in all of these endeavors, there is no finish line.

That said, we live in a time and place that does not value the health and wellness of all people. Our society is built in a way that neglects and undervalues the lives and welfare of Black, Indigenous, Brown, femme, queer, transgender, and low income people. Any act that overcomes this neglect is truly an act of resistance. By refusing to burn out or give up, it is taking a stand against the very fabric in which so many barriers are woven. As the great poet Audre Lorde said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

We aim to do everything we can to support this resistance. To that end, we have developed several initiatives that take into consideration a 360-degree view of how our business can make a meaningful impact. We are committed to doing the work and determined to continue learning and growing as these new projects take root and flourish.

OUR PHILOSOPHY AS A SPACE FOR THERAPEUTIC BODYWORK
Melt Massage & Bodywork is a space where people can - with the support of wonderful and talented licensed massage therapists - connect to, care for, and heal themselves; not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. We have seen unending proof that therapeutic and prenatal massage is meaningful and beneficial health care. Massage keeps us moving. It can mitigate or even eliminate pain. It helps us manage the stress the world places on us and maintain balance in both body and mind. We resist the notion that it is a luxury, an extravagance.

To this end, we have always kept our prices on the low end of the spectrum to provide an accessible option for people who want to make massage a part of their healthcare routines. We are always aiming to strike a balance between affordability and supporting and respecting the livelihoods of the incredible independent LMTs that we contract with. 

 

 OUR ACTION PLANS FOCUSES on:

 
 
 
 

We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity to think critically and intentionally about how we conduct our practice and to expand our positive impact on our community. Because of the tireless work of so many grassroots organizers and activists and all those who continue to radiate strength and joy throughout this fight, we remain hopeful for a better world. A major part of this growth takes place in listening and we are truly here for any feedback you may have.
You can reach out to me anytime at becky@meltmassagenyc.com.

 

Education

  1. We will regularly engage in both anti-racist and trans/non-binary cultural competency education. In addition to our personal work, we will hire BIPOC and LGBTQ+ equity consultants to meet with our staff (at least) annually.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity

  1. We value the diversity of thought, perspective, and experience that our staff and the independent LMTs have to offer. When adding new folks to the roster of desk staff and LMTs, we will re-evaluate and expand our methods of outreach as we strive to represent the full spectrum of our NYC community.

  2. We will continuously work to create a space that feels safe for all people. We recognize that there will always be more to learn, always something we can do better.

  3. We know we cannot assume that people will trust us with the truth simply because we say we are trustworthy. We know this is something we will need to consistently prove with our actions. We are committed to engaging in open conflict and we encourage feedback from staff, contractors, and clients. Your feedback, in all cases, makes us better.

  4. We will continually look for small and large changes we can make to impact the financial wellness of the BIPOC (and specifically Black) community. In 2019, we spent 15% of our budget in BIPOC-owned businesses and we are committed to steadily growing that number until it reaches at least 1/3 of our budget. In 2020 that number grew to 16% and by 2023 we'd reached 27%. (The numbers are smaller for Black-owned business but still trending in the right direction. In 2020 we spent 4% of our budget with the Black community and as of 2023 we'd made it to 15%.) One big change we will make in 2024 is to switch our assets to a black-run bank that invests in black communities. To hold ourselves accountable, we will update these numbers annually and post them here, on our website. 

Community Outreach

  1. We've begun a very exciting partnership with a local, women-led anti-racist organization. The young and relentlessly hard-working leadership will receive monthly massage therapy at no cost to them. We believe the warmth, positivity, clarity, and fierceness that they bring when advocating for change is a gift to us all and we're very excited that they will allow us to show our appreciation in the way we know best. They will have the choice to work with any of the independent LMTs on our roster and those LMTs will have the option to either invoice Melt or volunteer their time. Additionally, we will be available to provide massage as needed for any of their actions and events.

  2. We will regularly donate massages to people in the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. These donations will be offered as gift certificates to a few local organizations with strong ties to the communities we seek to support. Each year we’ll choose a few organizations to work with. Currently, in addition to regular fundraising support we offer to schools and local non-profits, we have a more consistent partnership with the Clinton Hill Fort Greene Mutual Aid Fund. We ask them to distribute our gift cards as they see fit. Our clients may make contributions to fund these gifts if they want to help this effort grow. Melt will cover all other costs of these massages.