OUTFIT DETAILS: Vintage Dior shirt (similar style here) // Emilia Wickstead pants (gifted from The Outnet, similar style here) // Vintage scarf (similar style here) //Vintage Dior earrings
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How are you all doing?
Like how are you really doing? I won't lie and sugar coat this, this week, as I'm sure has been the case for many of you, has been rough. Exhausting. Heartbreaking. Demoralizing. Full of rage and just downright, sad. I'm mourning just how broken our society is -- and whether we want to admit it or not -- it affects us all. And it requires all of us to fix it. Together.
Last night, after reading through countless James Baldwin quotes in my social feed, I stopped to realize, I've never read James Baldwin. For someone who was as prolific for the written word as he was, I'm surprised it was never assigned as reading in any of my English classes over the years. So, I rectified this and ordered The Fire Next Time and Go Tell it on the Mountain and I'm excited to read. And discuss. And think. Would any of you want to read it along with me to discuss perhaps? I'd love if we could start a dialogue.
And on that note, I'll end with perhaps the most poignant Baldwin quote that feels all too fitting right now:
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
I shared this petition on Stories yesterday, but I wanted to share again here as well. This petition, organized by Colorofchange.org, asks the following of the Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and local County Attorney Michael Freeman:
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"Dear Mayor Jacob Frey and County Attorney Michael Freeman,
I am outraged and disturbed by the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police Department officers.
For seven minutes, George Floyd and bystanders cried out and pleaded for his life as your officers choked him to death in broad daylight. This is an act of police violence committed on an innocent, unarmed Black man. No one deserves what happened to George. And it’s up to you to grant justice.
I’m calling on you, the Mayor, to 1) block their pensions and 2) ban them from becoming police officers ever again. And County Attorney Freeman must immediately charge all four officers with murder. We’re counting on you to secure justice for his family."
Please join me in signing to apply more public pressure where public pressure is needed. While we're on the subject, here are some starting points of organizations to donate to at this time, all of which need our help to dismantle the systemic racism in this country. Minnesota Freedom Fund, The Bail Project, the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund and George Floyd family's GoFundMe to cover funeral and burial costs.
TWO // Anti-racism resources for white people
An amazing resource from activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham -- detailing out articles, videos, books and podcasts to help deepen the anti-racist work we all need to do.
THREE // A guide to reading James Baldwin
I came across this when I was researching Baldwin books (as there are many -- I was overwhelmed on where to start!), but this post helps break it down.
FOUR // Rose Byrne on "Mrs. America"
We finished The Great last night -- and Mrs. America is next in the queue. I've been looking forward to this one for a long time -- some of my favorite women portrayed by some of my favorite actresses.
FIVE // The new New York will be better
Long story short: this city has survived many different versions of itself. It will survive this.
SIX // Op-ed piece: Debunking the "I'm not a racist" defense
Let's review that apology from Amy Cooper shall we?
SEVEN // An incalculable loss -- 100,000 lives lost in the wake of COVID-19
I'm sure many of you have seen the cover story for last Sunday's New York Times -- but I encourage you to try to read a lot of the bio lines. It's heartbreaking, humbling and reminds you -- these were not simply names on a list. They were us.
EIGHT // Three things making me smile right now
Congrats to Jenn on her new collection collaboration with Sail to Sable! // Set tour of Hulu's The Great. // Loving the new spring collection from Lia Cohen -- especially that pink coat/dress!
And last, but certainly not least, if you aren't already, please register to vote. It's simple, takes a few steps and has enormous impact. If you're already registered to vote, can you check in on your friends to make sure they're registered? And please note this: I don't care who you vote for or what you vote for or even why you vote. I just care that you vote.
Photos by me
I felt the need to say something to you. I am a black follower of yours. And I’ve always, always seen you stand up to injustices. No matter what. Even when the racism wasn’t as blatant as the death of George Floyd you said something. You provided your followers with tips/organizations, etc to help do something before it was “trending”. That is what has always set you apart from other influencers and why I think you have truly been influencing lives. Right now, I’m seeing a lot of influencers posting things because they know it looks bad if nothing is said. It is hard to know if it is genuine or not. I’m leaning towards no because what took them so long? Now that you see all your peers are saying something … you feel like, yup, I can also say something. You even made this post before bloggers/influencers started mentioning it in their insta-stories, where things vanish in 24 hours. All of that to say, that I see you … I think a lot of POC see you. And we thank you. For always using your voice, for speaking up, for standing up even when your fellow peers were not doing the same. And I know it might be petty of me to do this … but I un-followed A LOT of white bloggers/influencers because of this. We kept track and we don’t forget.
Hi Faith — first of all, thank you for your comment and furthermore, thank you for reading over the years! To say, I’m heartbroken is an understatement but I know it pales in comparison to what I realize my black friends, readers, coworkers and many others are feeling right now and have been feeling for so, so long. My eyes and heart have been open before but please know they are WIDE open now. If there’s anything I can do, read, hear, watch or listen to — from you or resources you may have to share — I’d love to hear. And if ever there was or is a time you feel I’ve fallen short, please let me know. I want to do better. I am committed to becoming more anti-racist and becoming a better, stronger ally. Sending you love, my dear.
Thank you for sharing these amazing ways we can take action against the deep racism in our country. It is a problem that cannot be ignored any longer. I signed petitions and donated. I hope you are staying safe in NYC <3
Jill
https://jilliancecilia.com/
Would love to do a group read of James Baldwin!
Love this post. I agree with you on registering to vote, it’s important and everyone that is eligible should take advantage of this right we have.
https://petuniaspicks.com/