Empowerment
Rise up
“Communities of colour have been hit hard by the coronavirus due to poverty, health inequalities and a culture of community living.”
Inequalities resulting from discriminatory practices have been present in society for a long time. Communities of colour have been hit hard by the coronavirus due to poverty, health inequalities and a culture of community living. For many, the effects are devastating and could last for decades.
Environmental racism, unaffordable housing, underemployment, poverty and inadequate health care must be addressed to improve the situation and resilience of vulnerable groups in society. Far too many communities continue to face the enduring impacts of systematic racism and generational poverty. Crises are known to expose the structural inequalities that shape our lives. A crisis offers an opportunity to build better, stronger, more resilient and equal societies.
A moment can become a movement. This crisis has raised fundamental questions about the sustainability of social models based on extreme inequalities. Many face intersectional forms of discrimination that limit their access to economic rights. Tackling inequality requires a thorough overhaul of worldwide growth and social policies.
It seems overwhelming to comprehend and combat the many injustices in society, but it is up to every individual to rise to the challenge. It means action for all who believe in universal values and human dignity. We all face different challenges, but they can have a unifying effect. Multiracial solidarity is the only way forward.
Banner image: Roberta’s Trip G by Al Held
1/Generations of the Future
Social transformation
While systemic racism and inequalities have persisted for generations, there is now a new cultural momentum and urgency behind speaking out on race and prejudice. The pandemic has deepened the need for a fairer world. The gap in true representation in both businesses and government underlines the lack of equal opportunities.
Gen Z, in particular, is politically active, voicing their opinions on social justice issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, racial inequalities, and environmental concerns. This generation is not settling for the current status quo. The essential elements of change are gender and race. The concept of gender has changed from the once inviolable belief of a male-female binary, and demand for racial justice has taken on a stronger voice.
The values of society are changing, and while change is slow, as society becomes more diverse, how we view the world will alter. Gender and race shape identity, culture and ultimately, choice among consumers. It will take collaboration and alliances of leaders to eradicate racism on a global level. But continuing attention to the problem is vital. It takes time and work to change systems that have long been in-place.
A lack of social solidarity comes at the expense of all society. Life will be better for all if we live as though we are truly in this together.
Why this matters
Diversity is about equality and fairness, but this also makes good business sense. You make better decisions when you attract diversity.
Beam/ Frankie Collective
One percent of sales of the Frankie Collective will go to a non-profit, divided between women’s empowerment, sustainability, racial equity, connecting what we buy to good causes in the community. Read more here
Replica/ Tolu Coker
Largely inspired by the politics of identity and social climates, Tolu’s designs are informed by her multi-disciplinary practice, and merge artisan craftsmanship with innovative technology. See more here
To Be Real/ Rashaad Newsom
Ballroom culture is a celebration of freedom of choice. His exhibition is addressing ornamental glamour reflecting on human agency, Blackness, and the radical futurity of emerging identities. See more here
2/Female Realities
Closing the gap
When we talk about inequality, we often talk about differences in living conditions, such as income inequality. Numerous statistics show that women are still paid less for the same work. Alongside this, changes in living conditions such as divorce and illness negatively impact women’s lives. Women of colour, indigenous women, women in rural areas, young girls, girls with disabilities and trans- and gender-neutral youth are the most affected by gender inequalities and gender-based violence.
In terms of economic participation, the gender gap will take 257 years to close ( WEF, 2019). Globally, only 24% of the people seen, heard or read about in the news are women, and only 19% of the subject matter experts involved in the news are women. Media defines a culture, and culture defines change. When girls see stereotypes in the media, this only reinforces biases that need to be challenged.
The accepted perceptions of femininity are ready for reinterpretation. Ultra-feminine aesthetics dominate on digital platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Language also plays a role in perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes, especially in the world of short sentenced catchphrases.
Many of the challenges women face, both at work and within society, are rooted in the way we define and interpret masculinity. To take a holistic approach to diversity, equality, and inclusion, we must take a fresh look at how we can embrace healthier and more conscious versions of masculinity to impact all genders positively.
Why this matters
A woman alone has power; together, we have an impact. Support other women around you and help each other rise.
Home Body/ Rupi Kaur
Rupi Kaur is a poet of Indian origin, breaking our prejudiced perception through her poetry. She sees feminism as the belief that all people should be treated equally on every level. See more here
Rise/ Amanda N. Nguyen
Amanda is a social entrepreneur, civil rights activist, and the CEO and founder of Rise, a non-governmental civil rights organisation, combating violence against women and girls. See more here
Lady Sapiens/ Little Big Story and Ubisoft
Recent studies show the Palaeolithic women were more than nurturer, harvester, submissive women. Aided by immersive technologies, the documentary film and VR adventure, Lady Sapiens tells you a different story of mankind, breaking the Palaeolithic stereotype. See video here
3/Understanding Intersectionality
A level playingfield
Intersectionality (Kimberlé CrenshawI, 1989) is a framework for conceptualising a person, a group of people or a social problem affected by several discriminations and disadvantages. It takes into account overlapping identities and experiences to help understand the complexities of prejudices faced. Understanding intersectionality is essential to combat the intertwined prejudices that people face in their daily lives.
We tend to talk about race inequality as something separate from inequality based on gender, class, sexuality or immigration. What is often missed is how some people have been subjected to all of these. An intersectional approach shows how people’s social identities can overlap, creating multiple experiences of discrimination. It is essential to recognise your privilege and come to terms with how that is benefiting you in society.
We must recognise intersectionality as a way to go beyond our assumptions that experiences are universal. We are all unique and experience the world differently. When people share their experiences that involve multiple overlapping oppressions, take the opportunity to listen. Empathy is needed before a conversation. It is easier to understand each other with kindness and compassion, and work more closely and progress together.
Imagine a global economy actively working towards a level playing field between race, gender, class, and disability. Technologies such as AR and AI, which enable improved future workplaces, can be used, so no one is excluded.
Why this matters
Intersectionality is a magnifying lens to see how different forms of inequality often combine and reinforce each other. Understanding intersectionality is essential to combating the interwoven prejudices people face in their daily lives.
Adaptive Underwear/ Slick Chicks
Side fastening underwear designed for diverse bodies. See more here
Intersectionality/ Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw
Intersectionality is the acknowledgement that everyone has their own unique experiences of discrimination and oppression. It considers everything that can marginalise people, gender, race, class, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc. Listen to podcast here
Black, trans, disabled model/ Aaron Philip
Aaron entered the fashion world with intentions of making the industry more diverse, inclusive, and accessible, as she had never seen a physically disabled supermodel or a Black transfeminine model. See more here
4/Building community
Society moving forward
Covid-19 has given us a rare opportunity for a new start; it has forced us to see who and what matters. The pandemic has renewed our sense of community. Community is the search for a place to feel supported, connected and at home. It is a network of relationships, a group centred around a common goal, purpose or belief.
Concern for the collective is community. People want to connect and support what they believe in. Community is also a word of action and is about joining with a group around a meaningful idea and developing it together.
The next decade will focus on community and care. Supporting others to help increase their positive contribution to society. Building teams and partnerships and spending to see society move forward and grow.
These changes could be a driver for a new locality. Communities do not have to be located in one place and can be digital-only, but the need for local connections has grown during the pandemic. It is not uncommon for people to bond in a time of crisis. Out of this painful time may come renewed and inspired neighbourhoods, with a restored sense of hope, based on genuine feelings of trust.
Why this matters
Community support is a cultural shift as a result of the pandemic. Many small acts collectively become a movement, local or global. We all need each other.
The Slaysians/ Philip Lim
Phillip Lim has been raising awareness about anti-Asian racism and xenophobia. His brand is less about physical beauty and more about the beauty in shared values. “I can no longer separate Phillip the person from Phillip Lim the brand.” See “doing something about it” here
Black Owned Businesses/ Amani Lewis
Shoppable artwork by artist Amani Lewis made in collaboration with Google Shopping. The artwork integrates products sold by Black owned businesses. See more here
Icon to recognise Black owned businesses.
Sky High Farm/ Dan Colen
Sky High Farm is a self-sustaining ecosystem of gardens and livestock, it arose from a desire to combat food injustice by providing fresh produce and meat to underserved communities. See video here
Further reading
The Sum of Us/ Heather McGhee
Heather McGhee explores what we lose when we buy into the zero-sum paradigm, the idea that progress for some of us must come at the expense of others.
Disability Visibility/ Alice Wong
Some disabilities are visible, others less apparent, but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture. Activist Alice Wong brings together an inspiring collection of contemporary essays by disabled people.
Women Don’t Owe You Pretty/ Florence Given
Women Don’t Owe You Pretty challenges the out-dated narratives supplied by the patriarchy. Florence Given is here to remind you that you owe men nothing, least of all pretty.
The force of Non-Violence/ Judith Butler
The book describes how an ethic of nonviolence must be connected to a broader political struggle for social equality. The struggle for nonviolence is not soft or weak, it can be a strong even an aggressive tactic.