How Brands Can Actually Take Anti-Racist Action

The tragic death of George Floyd has erupted a volcano that has been simmering for a very long time. This time feels different, and hopefully, it will be. It’s the first time I have seen non-POC vocally acknowledging and understanding their privilege (or at least trying to). Some are finally as outraged with bias, prejudice, and racism as we have been for so long. The culture, so influential in fashion, sports, food, and music, cannot simply be separated from the reality of black culture. Yet, those proclaiming to love the culture, cannot not understand the anti-racist work that needs to be done. Within brands and companies, unconscious bias and prejudice are some of the most dangerous forms of racism. They manifest themselves in many ways — it’s a lack of thought and empathy for BAME colleagues and their race-based struggles resulting in us experiencing and internalizing micro-aggressions on a daily basis. It’s the old world policies on hiring, agency procurement, and campaign production. It’s a perception about us being “difficult or aggressive,” or “not being a team player” if we challenge the status quo or an invalid view if we have different reference points. And so on. These things may seem small, but they accumulate and add to race-based trauma. Read more at Highsnobiety.