If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor
-Desmond Tutu
What is happening in the world right now is wrong. It hurts to see that in 2020, race is still such a huge issue and causing so much pain and discrimination. I am taking the time to listen, learn and stand up.
I understand that my skin is white and with that comes privilege. I will never know the racism and discrimination faced, but that does not mean I cannot do anything. We must challenge this and do something about it. We must educate ourselves, we need to advocate and amplify the voices that need to be heard. We need to spread awareness, support, donate (if we can), sign petitions and not stay silent.
As a calligrapher, I love that I can create pieces of art to express a powerful message. I have created these pieces as my response to what is happening. I started with the quote by Desmond Tutu, as initially, when I saw what was happening in the US, I was not sure what to say or do. I waited to say anything for fear of saying the wrong thing. This is part of the problem. This quote really resonated with me, as it made me realise that by being silent, I cannot make a difference. It is when we make noise and stand up for things, that is when it will change.
The second piece, I made in a bolder and striking style to convey the important message, enough is enough.
I was thinking about how I could make a difference now. I have ordered books to help educate myself, so that I can understand better, have difficult conversations and help to make the change I want to see. I also decided that I would create these pieces as prints and t-shirts with all profits being donated to blacklivesmatter.com.
I don’t normally make political products, but this isn’t a political issue, it’s a human issue. I really wanted there to be an ethically made t-shirt. These t-shirts are printed on 100% organic cotton in a renewable energy factory and posted plastic free.
The tshirts are available here and the print is available for purchase here
I have taken a lot of time over the last few days to reflect.
I am 1/4 Jamaican, which you wouldn’t necessarily know from looking at me. My grandfather moved to the UK from Jamaica in the 50s and although I never got the chance to meet him, I've heard stories of him being refused on buses and my mum's teacher refusing to teach her because of the colour of her dad's skin. It is disgusting that this is still an issue. I wish I could have spoken to him about this.
In the past, people have said racist comments around me and others have said, “you can’t say that Amy’s 1/4 Jamaican”, or “don’t forget Amy’s 1/4 Jamaican”. I am going to be honest, I often lacked the confidence to stand up to people then. They knew it was wrong. I knew it was wrong. They knew it upset me. The fact that someone who could be offended by what they have said is in the room isn’t the problem, the problem is they know what they have said is wrong and they have still chosen to say it. Racist comments being laughed off as ‘a joke’ is not funny. I am angry that I didn’t challenge it enough then, but I will now. I have to. I am taking the time to learn how to talk to people about racisim and what I can do to challenge it and to be a better ally.
We have to be the change that we want to see.
I was recently featured in Brighton Journal talking about my charity prints and t-shirts and you can read the article here
