TRUTH IS, THEY HATE US.
Shocker, I know.
And that's a reality for them whether they realize it or not. But this scandal has exposed an entirely different perspective on the conversation. H&M faces this much backlash because they're famous and popular, because we support them and buy their products. In fact, many brands that meet the above characteristics could make the same mistake easily, so that begs the question: Who wouldn't? Who can we not expect this from?
We wouldn't. We wouldn't do that to ourselves.
But where are we?
We're at the back, somewhere. Not on tv or in magazines because as a people, we've become complacent to our own division. To enact change we have to act on one accord. It is unity that brought change then and it will bring change now. What I mean to say is:
Why do we feel the need to buy European brands like H&M in the first place, but never any African brands?
Why do we feel the need to conform to their fashion trends over our own?
Why do we consider eating American, Chinese, Italian food but never African?
H&M, Givenchy, Gucci, Audi, even McDonald's for God's sake, those brands can always choose to hate us and say racist things but as a people, beyond defending ourselves, we need to uplift ourselves. Do not try to impress, include or intertwine yourself with them. We are powerful, strong, creative and amazing on our own.
I'm not saying we cannot buy or interact with them or their products, but the difference of support is exponential. If we want/need anything, we turn to them. For clothes, food, any service. In that way, we still give them power over us. That has to change. We would be okay with spending thousands of dollars on a Porsche or Balmain but not on any unknown African brand. White people support encourage and seek out the things made by them, why can't we do the same? It is time to change the narrative. It is time we push ourselves to the front.
This is my charge to every single one of us: Support your brother and sister. We've come a long way and been robbed of many opportunities. We can't afford to rob ourselves of any more.
(p.s. so you already know ya'll better watch black panther in theaters february. idc if you don't like marvel or hate action, buy a damn ticket. the cast is almost all black ffs. 60 years ago this would be impossible.)
