FLAWZ Magazine ◊ 6

of magazines. We’ve seen more black models on runways.
And we’ve seen you add more women of color
on covers... Sorta. But what we’re asking for, is to get to
the root of the issue. Your team. Your staff. Your EDI-
TORS. The owners of these magazines. That’s the tree
of which all of these roots come from. Until we can talk
about that issue and those problems, it doesn’t mean
anything to me to see your Instagram story. What are
you really doing to help black people? How are you
using your presence and your platforms? Because
your silence kills us.
It was clear to me, when it came to our 6th issue. That I
wanted to focus my attention on Black Beauty, fashion
and most importantly Black Women. Now yes, granted
my entire team (all three of us) are Men. But we all
have the utmost respect for Black Women and their
contribution to the fashion industry. This idea with everything
going on in the world, was not only needed
but I couldn’t, as a black man, not show my appreciation
when it comes to the influence blacks and black
women have left on this industry. So when I ran this
idea by my team, they were all for it. And our cover
GORLLLLLL, Armand Parks, had ideas of her own. Her
vision of Black beauty is Black beauty personified with
her avatar. Statuesque. Supermodel. Melanin beauty.
Regal. Feminine. That’s how I would describe her. This
issue will focus on black beauty, and we’ll get insight on
how black women have influenced her.
So...readers. How do we move forward?
do to help support this movement and
period in history? Well. If you support ou
support black people, POC’s and Indige
then speak the f*ck out! When you wit
racist remarks, say something! When you
mophobia, transphobia, SPEAK THE F*
can’t preach “Black Lives Matter” and it
when it comes to cis individuals. Do you
Black people are not your google search e
have a question, ask. If you want to lear
search it. Do your part when it comes to
tions or raising awareness for a cause. Fo
teachers, civil right leaders and organ
support black lives and improving and d
the very system that continues to suppor
more information, go to blacklive
m4bl.org and naacp.org.
And REMEMBER to VOTE come this Nove
The last few months, black businesses have (as it
should be) come to the forefront and supporting these
businesses has become vital to the black community. I
wanted to find 10 beauty (Real life) brands that have
some of the most amazing beauty products for not just
black women and men, but for all races.
I knew when it came to this issue, just having us give
you content wasn’t enough....without the voices of
black women. I wanted to hear from women who live
their lives as women of color and what this entire year,
from COVID, the death of a Breonna Taylor, a black
women who was murdered inside her OWN home by
the hands of three policemen, to the death of George
Floyd and the BLM movement. To the countless deaths
of trans women, Elijah McClain and the others who’ve
died since and BEFORE this rise up. It’s one thing to
hear from us, but it hits home when it is coming from
women who live in a country that doesn’t see or take
black women seriously.
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