Hello Loves,
I often ask myself why there never is any or a very small number of mainstream Black bloggers at major fashion events? Personally, I find it hard to believe in the fairness of blogging industry. When you are a Black blogger who rarely sees anyone or only one or two looking like you at those mainstream high fashion events, you know it is all about race. You’ll be surprised to know how many ”closet racists” we have in this World. ”Closet racists” are the most dangerous ones because they trick you into thinking that you are accepted, you are part of the game when you are simply not. Black women often feel erased, undermined, ignored, marginalized and disrespected. Why our society has the wrong idea that Black woman can’t sell and that, a Black woman can not be mainstream unless she is Beyonce or Rihanna? I truly believe that if Black Bloggers are supported by fashion brands or big shopping websites like the Asian and White bloggers are, we can sell any product just like them. If they can do it, we can too. For example, the movie “hidden figures” proved that Black women can sell to any audience. This movie was one of the highest grossing movies when it came out. I feel very proud of the movie because I suddenly believe again that a Black woman can be as pretty and most importantly as smart as any other woman. If we Black can relate to all the other races and follow them; better, show them love on social media, why can’t they can do the same too? It seems that the society expects Black women to always give in, to always undervalue themselves and to back down in order to be slightly noticed because we are never good enough to be fully accepted.
Recently I was invited to a fashion event to which, I myself invited two White friends to join me. On the day of the event, my two white friends showed up before me and the people at the door let them in, even without them showing any invitation. I arrived after my friends and I was denied the entrance, even when I showed the invitation in my phone to the guy at the entrance. They put me on the side and let everyone who came after me in, even the people who weren’t properly dressed. Meanwhile, I could see my two white friends from where I was standing, sipping on a champagne. Finally, without any explanation or an apology, they let me in. Beside my housekeeper offering me a whitening cream, that is just a small example of many unfair situations related to race that is emotionally destructive. You never fully recover from a racist experience because it devalues you as a human. But again, unless you are Black, you have no idea what we have to go through as Black people in the World. I’m so tired of all of it that I can’t compromise or apologize for being Black anymore. I have to fight in order to keep that little self-love I have left. To me, your race doesn’t make you a better person unless you prove that you are a better human being.
The society knows that Black consumers follow all these bloggers who are White and Asian but once you are a Black blogger, it always feels like you don’t exist or only Back people can relate to you and be your audience. That’s a lie! Black bloggers can be mainstream too and they need the kind of opportunities that made the other bloggers become mainstream. The World needs to remember that Black people are not going anywhere, We are here on this earth forever, just like the White and the Asian people. We are all human. We need to change the way we think about race and diversity in the society as a whole and in the blogging industry as well. Matter of fact, the fashion industry is making an effort to show some diversity but this doesn’t seem to be the case in the blogging industry yet.
Thank you for reading and don’t forget to leave your comments below.
Shirt: Kenzo, available here
Coat: Massimo Dutti
Jeans: Zara, similar here
Shoes: Gucci, available here
Sunnies: Prada, similar here
Belt: Gucci, try this here
Bag: Gucci, available here
You hit the nail on the head with this post. Why are we undermined and undervalued. A lot of us have disposable income to spend on luxury goods and have built the ideal lifestyle for ourselves. Why do we have to work triple as hard to feel as though the industry is doing us a favour by having one blank model feature on their runway. We will continue to work hard, produce amazing work and let our creativity speak a thousand words that cannot be said.
Thank you, Barbara, for your comments.
I understand your frustration. I experience this all the time. Sometimes I call them out on it and sometimes I don’t say anything because at the end of the day, it is their ignorance. I also believe it may be a class issue. The high fashion industry don’t see black people in the “classy” category.
Continue to put out your content because I enjoy it and I am sure other people do as well. I enjoy your blog because you are classy and luxurious. I love all the travelling experiences you have shared with us. You have a beautiful family too.
Please continue to show us your valuable work.
Thank you for reading.
Great read. Thank you. I am fairly new to fashion blogging and immediately noticed the difference. It is so unfair, but we have to support each other and not give up on making a difference in this industry, even though we’ll have to work harder. Keep the great styles coming. You are among the top in the business and anyone with decent vision can see that. ❤❤❤
Thank you for reading. We need to speak up.