Yesterday
Yesterday I shared my thoughts about the lack of diversity in the sewing and quilting world and called out for those who felt moved to also pay attention and advocate when possible for a greater diversity when it comes to how quilters, knitters and those who sew are portrayed in the media. I used not only my brand-spanking new hashtag # SewDiverstiy but also the hastag #blacklivesmatter.
To say that there was a shit-storm of response to this post would be kind. Some of it wildly supportive and others not so much (I am the dominatrix of understatement on this count). I was pelted with vile insults both public and private as well as vows to ruin my business and never read at BAQS again based on the fact that I support the idea that as a white person I need to be part of the solution to the inequality endured by black people every damn day.
This support was taken by some to mean that I don’t give a flying fuck about white people, yellow or purple people either, or that I just don’t understand or possibly worst of all that I am speaking out in order to pander to my readers (where is the middle finger emoticon when you need it?). This left me in shock since as adults we are fully capable of holding disparate ideas and reflecting on both in a way that does not require tossing around threats or hateful response.
I challenge each person who got their knickers in a twist and insisted that #Alllivesmatter is the replacement for #blacklivesmatter to sit down and talk to a group of black people about their experience being black today. I want you to understand the fear a black mother has that her child will be ruthlessly gunned down just because of their skin color, a fear I do not hold for my white sons. I want you to talk to a black quilter and understand the slights they endure each day, getting lesser service and assumptions about their level of skill.
When I say that #Blacklivesmatter I not saying something negative about white lives. No more than if I say ~ Save the forests~ do I mean ~ fuck the oceans~. The truth is that for those who have alway felt privileged, to be equal can feel like being unduly restricted and to admit we are privileged can feel shameful. I really like Chris Boeskool’s words on this matter and thought I would share them with you. (click on his name to go see his great article)
The Moon and Me
I stood last night staring at the moon. Outside was a hot, wet oven like one can only experience in July in the South. I thought of those who sent words of support today (thank you) and those who spoke from their point of privilege wrapped in fear or even hate and directed their anger and threats (no bueno) towards me for saying little more than the fact that we can do better as a people and a community in supporting our friends who are black. In many ways our views are worlds apart and yet we look at the same moon. The difference being that we look at it from different directions. It looks different to each of us and yet never fails to be the same moon… nothing changes that. Just like nothing changes the abuses suffered by black people in our culture. ( Again this does not exclude the abuses suffered by any other group it just so happens right now we are talking about black lives)
Kris Straub nailed it
I believe I have been very clear as founder of BAQS that I am a fierce and vocal advocate for those who have been disenfranchised no matter the reason. So for someone to be “horrified” or “disgusted” at the use of my voice and influence to express my thoughts on any matter ranging from those about using polyester thread on cotton fabric to my support of LGBT rights and diversity should not be a surprise ( have they spent anytime at all reading here?). To be told to “shut the hell up and just sell quilting fabric” only further convinces me that we can’t back away from such an important topic and honestly only really makes me dig my heels in further as an advocate.
To bastardized a quote … What part of BadAss don’t people understand?
EVERY DAMN TIME I am going to use my position, influence and platform to advocate for coming down on the right side of history. And those who don’t like it are more than welcome not to read my blog or hang out on my FB page.
For those who do like it.. or who have found BAQS due to these issue… welcome, I could not be more pleased to have you here.
And as a note.. this week we have lost a total of 15 readers and gained 210, if you happen to be interested in that sort of thing.
