Artwork by @ohhappydani – shop her prints and artwork here!
If I have learned anything this week, it’s that I have so much to learn. I’m sure I’m not alone: this past week I have been reflecting, learning, absorbing, and lots of it. As I watch the Black Lives Matter movement unfold all over the globe, I have been grappling with so many emotions: sadness, frustration, humility – as well as figuring out my place in all this.
Since starting my slow fashion journey I have focused primarily on the environmental piece of sustainability, and that is my ignorance. Environmentalism and social justice are inextricably linked, and I need to actively learn, reflect, and address this.
While my focus will remain on fighting against overconsumption via dancing like a goof in front of the camera, there is so much more I can learn and do as an active citizen. Some of these steps you will see on my social media, while others may be more behind the scenes. Although small, I don’t take my presence on the internet lightly.
I also know that change doesn’t happen with one grand gesture. Lasting change requires daily, weekly, regular work; which is why I choose to make smaller, intentional changes regularly to ensure I can sustain this action and my learning over time.
As far as I'm concerned, 2020 has given us ALL the signals that we need to make changes.
So here are the steps I’m taking to become more anti-racist, develop a true understanding of intersectional environmentalism, and become an engaged global citizen.
Learning
Taking Rachel Cargle’s Free 30 day #dotheworkforce – an initiative for anyone seeking to be an ally to Black women. You can sign up and learn more about it here.
Watched / On My Watch List:
The 13th (Netflix)
When They See Us (Netflix)
Selma
Fleeing Climate Change – The Real Environmental Disaster (DW Documentary)
Listening to / On My Playlist:
1619
The Secret Life of Canada
Greendreamer Podcast
Reading / On My Reading List:
Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward
The Fire Next Time and Go Tell it On The Mountain by James Baldwin
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
21 Things You Didn’t Know About the Indian Act
White Supremacy and Me by Layla Saad
People I’m following:
As a Content Creator
Continue to showcase women and people of all ethnicities, body types and abilities on my channel. This needs to extend to my other platforms as well. See below!
Opening discussion with brand partners when approached for a campaign or paid work. Going forward, I commit to inquiring which other creators are on board for campaigns, and if POC are not represented, I will recommend someone for the campaign or not participate.
Making a donation to LoveLand Foundation. If you follow me on IG, you may have noticed that at the onset of the global pandemic, I committed to donating 5% of my income from sponsored content to a different global charity each month. This month and next, I will commit to donating 5% of my income to the LoveLand Foundation, an organization that provides healing and therapy for women of colour.
Keep the conversation going. While uncomfortable and messy, I am grateful that social justice issues are now being discussed openly by brands and influencers. However, I don’t think we can afford for this dialogue to be an isolated incident. I hope to continue sharing my learnings about social and environmental justice with you. As with all my content, I believe that learning should be fun and engaging – no matter the subject.
I have added several new highlights to my Instagram Profile, mostly for my own learning, but in case you’re interested:
“BIPOC Slow Fash” – I commit to sharing a curation of BIPOC owned businesses or creators monthly, and will share them on my blog, Instagram and Facebook.
“PEOPLE” – Resources, news, creators – anything around social or humanitarian rights and justice. From income inequality to the underrepresentation of people with disabilities – we need to do better in taking care of each other.
“ECONOMY” – Developments, articles, resources and news around the global economy, particularly from a lens of sustainable economic growth.
“PLANET” – Environmental justice, climate change, animal welfare, as well as the creators who advocate for these things.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read. My goal is to keep this little corner of the internet a fun, engaging place to learn from each other.
