I used to be Part of the Problem. Not anymore.
it’s currently 3AM and I’m awake unable to sleep from feeling sick over what is happening in our country. The more I’m seeing the more angry and sad I become, but it has also made me aware of how unaware I allowed myself to become to the injustices in the world around me. I’m a soon to be 27 year old white woman who has lived a very privileged life and when I look back I realize I have not been a good ally to the black community.
I have ways believed in #BlackLivesMatter but what have I done to support it? I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m not as informed as I should be and that I didn’t feel I have the adequate words to speak out, but that’s an excuse. It’s my fault and it’s not enough to only be “not racist” - we need to be taking anti-racist actions.
I didn’t talk about political or social issues in public forums like social media or my blog because it “wasn’t on brand” or “my audience doesn’t want that, I talk about clothes and shoes.” These are also excuses.
Well y’all, some real change needs to happen and I’m done with excuses. So, welcome to The Creative Brief, where we talk about the issues now. If you’re just here for fashion and shopping, I hope you stay because the clothes will always be here, but I pray that you take some of this with you.
Am I an expert? Absolutely not. Will I say some wrong things? Probably so. But will I continue to be a part of the problem by not giving my voice to this injustice? Not anymore.
2020 has been a breaking point for me in understanding more about the world around me, the astounding privilege I have and how to use it. Recently, I have the overwhelming notion that I’m able to influence without having to be what I believe to be an “influencer” and so do you. Maybe you don’t have Instagram or Facebook and you don’t talk about social issues often, but you have people around you who look up to you, read your comments, share meals with you and listen to what you have to say.
So say something. Be a voice. Educate yourself and your friends on how we can all help irradiate racism. Don’t be afraid to have tough conversations, to be uncomfortable with the dialogue and admit that you could be part of the problem. Because saying nothing and doing nothing completely validates that you are part of the problem.
The events over the last few weeks and those that have happened even within 2020 alone are horrific. Regardless of your political affiliation, your race or age or upbringing, you can agree that the loss of human life in the black community is not only unnecessary, but a fundamental and systematic issue in our country.
It took me some time to decide how I wanted to react to this and speak on this issue because I was afraid of doing it wrong. Firstly, to my Black friends, sorority sisters, classmates, coworkers, readers and followers, I’m sorry I didn’t act sooner and I know this message is not enough.
Secondly, I’m with you. I see you, I hear you, I learning to understand and educate myself and I’m here to support you. Your life matters to me and I’m going to do what I can to help others act as well.
From now on I’m going to make sure to use my platforms as a voice of change and bring awareness to those who don’t have the privilege to share their voice. I hope you do the same with your voice because #BlackLivesMatter.
