I Covet Thee

This week I have learnt more about white privilege & systemic racism than I have in twenty-seven years. And that is the problem. I have been the problem.

What I want to challenge myself to do now, and any others reading this that have a platform, is to keep these conversations going. Over the next week people you follow online, myself included, will be going back to regular posting. You’ll be seeing outfits photos, selfies, people monetising their content, and it might feel wrong. But we don’t have to choose between being influencers or activists, we can be both. We should be both.

As someone who takes up a space online and has a following because of it, I have a responsibility to the black community as well as myself to be better. These are my pledges.

I want to be assured that all future campaigns I’m a part of not only are in collaboration with brands who advocate for black representation, but make it equally as important within their social presence & marketing strategy. This extends to the events I’m invited to and the brands I accept unpaid gifting from.

I will diversify the creators I follow and the content I consume. Filling our feeds with women of colour in the industry is one thing, but engagement is even more important. Likes, comments & interaction is what this algorithm is built on, and we can choose to amplify the voices we want to be heard.

Supporting black owned businesses & being mindful of where my money is going. I can no longer continue to support a company who’s beliefs actively go against my own. This currently means saying goodbye to brands I have bought from and loved for years, but I will always be open to accepting that people can learn and change, and there may come a time again when they can do better.

Perhaps most important, keeping this momentum going offline. This is what really counts. Having uncomfortable conversations with people in my everyday life; friends, family & even strangers. Continuing to educate myself on all aspects of black history & how my own white privilege has benefited me throughout my life.

I will make mistakes, I will be imperfect, but I will continue to do the work.

#blacklivesmatter #istandwithyou

4 years ago | [YT] | 1,360