I am certainly disappointed when artists, queens (& even my loved ones) whom I look up to do not use their voices for issues like racism, discrimination, homo/transphobia, classism etc. There could be pressure of conforming to behavioural expectations exerted by fans & public, &-

not knowing if what they say/do is right/wrong. Being a public figure has heavy responsibility in their work/artistry. It is already anxiety-triggering to be monitored by the world for every tiny action you make. However, it is NO excuse to avoid keeping up with current events.

As much as we cannot control them, for artists/public figures with large platforms, their position in society gives them power & influence to spread the word. Where is the initiative/action when they did the same promoting their own products/content/beliefs/ideas/implementations?

Once again, just because others have spread the word does not mean your job in spreading the word has been done.

I think it’s vital I bring up the Six Types of Racist Bypassing Behaviours as shared by the founder of @wherechangestarted (on IG), L. Glenise Pike, and I think it’s really useful. Please spread this thread if you agree as well.

These are the “racist tools of defense” which everyone would come across and would do, but can stop doing if you ACTIVELY work on replacing racist tools of defense with anti-racist tools of accountability.

1. POLITICAL: the act of hiding behind one’s political beliefs and practices to bypass the self-work of anti-racism

2. INTERSECTIONAL: the act of hiding behind one’s intersectional identity to avoid being held accountable for one’s racist beliefs and behaviours

3. FINANCIAL: the act of hiding behind one’s financial contributions to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) causes (often in the form of donations and not purchased goods & services) to avoid being held accountable for one’s racist beliefs and behaviours

4. SPIRITUAL: the act of hiding behind one’s spiritual beliefs and practices to avoid being held accountable for one’s racist beliefs and behaviours

5. GENERATIONAL: the act of hiding behind one’s age – thinking that because one wasn’t born during a time of intense and highly visible racism, they don’t need the self-work of antiracism like older generations do

6. GEOGRAPHICAL: the act of hiding behind one’s geographical location as an indicator that antiracism work isn’t needed as urgently, because the racism where they live is less visible.

I really hope that by sharing this, more public figures and artists can come out of their shells to speak up. If they have said something wrong before, account for it. Apologize, and allow room for improvement. It’s really not the time to hide.