FLAWZ Magazine ◊ 6

I took some time out to read my last editor’s letter for
our June issue. When I wrote it, George Floyd, Elijah
McClain, Dominique Clayton, Bree Black, Shaki Peters,
Draya McCarty, Brayla Stone, Merci Mack, Tatianna
Hall, Dreasjon Reeds and Dominique Remy Fells all
were alive and dealing with COVID-19 and their own
issues. As Trans Black Women, and as Black Men. We
had no idea of the death of Daniel Prude, who was
killed, March 23, 2020. Yes that’s before George and a
week after Breonna Taylor. When I wrote my editors
letter, Chadwick Boseman, our Wakanda King, was still
with us. The Black Lives Matter movement was always
working, advocating and protesting against the incidents
of police brutality and the racial injustice of Black
people. COVID was still rising. And the country hadn’t
quite opened back up yet....then May 25, 2020 the
murder of a innocent man whose death would change
the coarse of this country and spark the flame that is
burning in the hearts of black men and women, trans,
non-binary POC’s, and Indigenous people. His
MURDER by the knee of a police officer, will spread,
not just to every corner of this country, but world-wide.
His MURDER exposed the very REAL and continuing injustice,
systematic racism and killings of black people.
This is not just men and women but trans women and
men. His MURDER will lead to the BIGGEST protest in
the history of this country. With everyone from celebrities
and athletes taking part in the protest and marches,
to senators and governors voicing their support
and solidarity. This has been ONE HELL OF YEAR! And
with the November election upon us, it is VITAL that we
ALL voice our opinion at the polls and VOTE!
So much has changed since our last issue. And when it
came time to work on our this next one, I was a little
overwhelmed with emotions. Being Black, Gay and a
man in this country right now, I have so much working
against me. But I wasn’t about to complain, not with
everything going on. So...as I always do, I worked and
educated myself. In doing so, I noticed something. It
wasn’t that hard to notice and it was being talked
about in my field of work. The lack of black representation
in fashion. This industry, as much as I love it, has
failed on so many occasions to bring in the black
voices of those in the fashion industry. The industry
capitalizes on all black culture while not welcoming
black talent through its doors, or providing those of us
who manage our way in, with opportunities to grow.
Collectively, we’re tired of the systematic disenfran
chisement that exists within the fashion
we’re tired of not seeing any black people
roles, tired of being tokenized, tired of bei
This frustration is compounded by seeing
publications that have historically exclud
ginalized black people, all of a sudden sh
es of solidarity with the Black Lives Matte
Where was the solidarity when we were
jobs, advocating for promotions and poi
lack of diversity - and at times outright r
the industry? These messages mean noth
not backed by action to dismantle long-st
tices that have stifled black people in th
dustry. I remember before COVID, last
ALWAYS talk about and bring up the lack
this industry. At the time, my white colle
smile, shake their head, and say “yeah th
nothing would be done. But now they’re i
Even a couple of months ago when
brands to come out with statements of s
support for black people was on the rise
them were glaringly performative. I’ve re
of them (even the ones that came from
phen) and thought, “Are you kidding me?”
DEMOGRAPHIC OF OUR STAFF!! I’ve see
you cast and the content you produced.
possibly say that you care about the blac
when everything you’ve been doing up u
shows that you don’t?! It’s bullsh*t. I’ve h
conversations with my boss on this topic
then, it was “take into consideration”, now
send out this bullsh*t letter and bring the
Zoom meeting to discuss diversity in the
(Where I literally went OFF on him, and
staff) I can’t do bullsh*t. Not when it involv
and others who work so hard for and in
After Lindsay Peoples Wagner’s article ab
like to be black in fashion came out in The
zine) I thought, OK, something might b
here.....But as I KNEW in the back of my
just went back to normal. At this point,
whether or not I should be hopeful, but I
hear any bullsh*t statements. I want to see
ALLY being done. It kills me when I see the
tors put stories out on their Instagram on
NOW in “solidarity” and support of the
Matter movement. How they are NOW w
versity when it comes to shows and
PAUSE! No one said anything about castin
08