Accountability

Many of us hit pause this week. To listen, learn, and amplify black voices. It taught me a lot, but it really showed me how little I know, and how much I have to learn. The learning process and maintaining anti-racism is lifelong work, and starts with words, followed by action. I wrote this post a week ago and it looks completely different now. When I first wrote it, it had general areas I wanted to change. I sent it to Nora and we chatted through it, I did not want to rush it, and she helped me pause. Instead of listing general areas, I identified areas within my own life where I can make change. Something important to note is, even with plans, I do not know what the path forward necessarily looks like, but I know I need to put in the work to help build that path of change. 

We all have our own ways that we will be creating change and working on things, these are some of mine. This change is not about me, but starts with me and I am holding myself accountable. These changes are not only for my digital spaces, but go beyond that and into my real life. I will mess up along the way, and when being corrected, I strive to be humble and take criticism with grace, knowing that when I make a mistake there is a chance for change. Black lives matter.

Educating Myself & Real Life

I commit to continuing to read articles and books, and listen to activists. I am adhering to this learning process, knowing it is lifelong. I have been utilizing this NY Tech Library Anti-Oppression LibGuide: Anti-racist Resources , I found it to be comprehensive and helpful for me. They also have an Anti-Oppression LibGuide: Allyship Take Action, which allowed me to better understand the meaning and impact of allyship. I just cracked open Ibram X. Kendi‘s How To Be An Antiracist, and am reading DiAngelo’s White Fragility in a book group hosted by Nora and Claire, where we can unpack privilege and gain tools to have those hard conversations with friends, family or anyone. While it is important I learn, I cannot just sit on this knowledge. I must propel it forward in real life.

Supporting Black Organizations 

I mentioned this in a previous post, but I hope to become more involved in the community. I will be donating to and standing behind organizations that support black people. I  learned of Black Girl Ventures through Carly, and it is a fantastic organization that helps black female entrepreneurs and provides access to resources. The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness is an organization that works on eliminating healthcare disparities and focuses on the minds, bodies and spirits of the women they support. I found their focus on all areas of the body to be incredible! 

More Inclusion on Simply Elsa 

I share a lot of brands and people in this space. While continuing to speak to classic style, preppy panache, and size-inclusivity, I commit to being more inclusive of black-owned businesses, black creatives, and black authors. For my bookshelf series, I realized I have not read enough books by black authors, and I can do better. I am currently reading These Ghosts are Family by Maisy Card, and if you are Faith-oriented, I am also reading Ready to Rise by Jo Saxon. Both fantastic so far. (If you know me, you know I read a few things at once because my mind bounces around!)

Continue to Amplify Black Influencers and Bloggers

The influencer community as a whole does a lot of sharing of each other’s profiles and working on projects together. I will share more black bloggers that I know you will enjoy too. A few of my favorite black bloggers we should all listen to are @_happygocurly_, @prepfordwife, @kirsten.beverly, @classy_educator, @venitaaspen, among many others.