I’ve written about supporting BIPOC before. This time I want to be more specific and lift up Native + Indigenous + First Nations + Metis + Inuit communities.

I typically focus on my own Black experience, but I must recognize that I have not done more to support my Native siblings. Black death and pain have been sensationalized in this country, but Native suffering has been pushed under the rug. I cannot grow complacent in their pain.

Native folks have to endure erasure by their countries’ colonizers yet at the same time exotification & appropriation. Despite European diseases and horrendous genocide, many have perserveared. I am forever awed by their resilience and continuation of so many different tribes’ traditions.

I ask that instead of participating in this fake holiday, do some real good and follow these suggestions below.

RECOGNIZE WHOSE LAND YOU OCCUPY

The website Native-Land.ca can show which tribe(s) land you live on. My favorite part is once you find out results, you can click on the tribe(s) website and learn more about their communities. A lot of knowledge can be gained here, much of which was not included in our typical eurocentric history classes.

The site has a disclaimer that it isn’t as detailed as it could be, but is growing due to contributions from the community.

SEEK OUT LOCAL INDIVIDUAL & COMMUNITY FUNDS

If you have funds to spare, try and find a local community to support. Or if you happen to see specific people in need, give via venmo/paypal/cashapp.

FOLLOW INDIGENOUS CREATORS

If funds are short, an easy & free way to help is to follow Indigenous artists, educators, and activists. Sharing their knowledge allows more people to understand and helps combat the unjust erasure.

BUY FROM INDIGENOUS DESIGNERS

A quick google search will show lists with some popular Native brands. I recommend digging even further. See what the creators you’ve followed are sharing. Check what’s on your wishlist and see if you can find it from a Native brand.

Always make sure that the brand is Indigenous owned. There are too many white owned brands that sell “Native inspired” items and in no way help the people they capitalize off of. DO NOT SUPPORT THOSE BRANDS! 

Remember, much like my own African diaspora, Indigenous folks are not a monolith. There are many different tribes and communities all over the world with unique traditions and perspectives. Learning about those differences and respecting them is one way to honor those who participate in them.

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah

There are different perspectives regarding how people deal with companies online. Some individuals only visit their favorite brand’s websites and buy products there with the occasional email notification. Others follow on social media and engage with whoever runs the brand’s page. And then there are those that work with brands on producing content to help market their products to future customers.

I began as the first type of person but have now morphed into a combo of the second and third type. I’m not an influencer, but I do create content for Sheek as a portfolio to show my ability to style, photograph, and share my looks. I do choose to tag certain brands and there are a few reasons for that.

• I tag BIPOC brands because they have so many more challenges than white owned brands and this can help them grow their audience. The larger their audience, the better their business will be and the chance to fund endeavours like size expansion are much more feasible. 

• I tag some white woman owned brands because I have found many great quality and well fitting pieces from them. Several are leading the way in size inclusivity in this slow fashion space as well which is much appreciated.

• I find it helpful when I’m looking at a new brand to see items on different body types & skintones. There are only so many models per collection, so seeing fit notes and reviews from the community can really help me make an informed decision. I hope that when I show up in their tagged section, I can help others contemplating a purchase as well.

• It saves me from having to answer “where is that _____ from?” I’d much rather spend time commenting on the pros and cons of a more expensive item that a person may be considering. 

I don’t begrudge people who choose not to tag any brands at all. Aja and Dr. Kiona shared the truth about how people of color aren’t seen as “valuable” by brands and not offered fair compensation for their work and free publicity if a brand is tagged for their large following to see.

I also don’t trust when an influencer posts about something they were #gifted. Seeing only positive views and the phrase “I’m seriously considering purchasing another color because this is THAT GOOD.”

Please. Spare me the fluff.

I’ve seen those same items for sale a couple months later with no explanation about changing their mind so I’d rather put my trust in people like myself. People who buy their own items and don’t have a PR relationship to protect so they can be completely honest.

Though I still tag brands for the reasons above, I don’t tag everyone. I don’t tag fast fashion or unethical brands because I don’t want to promote them. And who knows, perhaps I’ll stop tagging completely one day. But for the time being, I hope that I am able to show some representation of the item on a mid-size, medium skintone, petite body.

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah

Now that we’re in the middle of Black History month, I thought I’d add in a reminder about the importance of supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Support should not only be limited to our designated “months” but sought out year round to help build up our communities.

Unfortunately, I know that depending on where you live, there may not be local POC places to shop, or brands you admire might not carry your size or be in your price range. I recognize that not everyone can support BIPOC as easily as others, but there are different ways you may be able to help.

Donate to a worthy BIPOC cause

If you have some funds to spare, there are many non-profit organizations that would be very appreciative of your donation. Choose one that resonates with you and share with loved ones, or you could pick a different cause each month.

Eat from a local BIPOC owned restaurant

This would be easiest in big cities, but might also be achievable in suburban areas. (Though it is usually difficult to find POC owned retail stores in small towns.) Turn down the corporate choices and instead choose an ethnic dish (most likely) prepared by chefs who really know how to make it delicious.

Choose BIPOC Doctors/Specialists

I’ve been so happy with my family doctor over all these years, that through multiple insurance changes he’s still the one I choose. Finding a doctor who actually cares about their patients shouldn’t be as difficult as it is, but once you do, stick with them. If you’re in the market to change doctors, try asking around in the community or looking for recommendations online and take note of the ones of color instead of automatically settling on a white practitioner.

Seek out BIPOC creatives

Whether you need a photographer, performer, designer, etc, try and find someone who may not have as much business or as many opportunities as their white counterparts.

Shop in store or online BIPOC brands

In my experience, the easiest way to find a black owned brand is through hair/skin care and accessories. These items are on the lower end of the pricing scale so they wouldn’t be as expensive as some of the clothing and shoe choices. Plus, there aren’t sizes to worry about, so they’re more inclusive as a result.

Learn from BIPOC

Take a class, read articles, buy some books, there are many ways to support POC educators. The field of academia has been dominated by white voices for far too long. Open up your perspective by giving the mic to those in the marginalized community and you will surely learn.

Follow & Share BIPOC accounts

The algorithm preferring thin, white faces is no myth. By intentionally following POC on social media and sharing their content, you are helping them grow in a way that was made more difficult by the tech people behind the app.

Be an ally to BIPOC

Without saying you are one! You are an ally to POC by your actions, not by putting that label in your bio. Stand up for your friends who deal with mistreatment and discrimination on a daily basis. Offer to help them, invite them to activities where they may not feel welcome (but would really enjoy doing,) check on them if they said they were having a rough time at work, send them genuine encouragement. Do all of this because you actually care about them and have a desire to use your privilege to challenge the system. Don’t let white guilt be the only reason to help black & brown people.

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah

The start of the new year is always a good time to sit back and evaluate goals for the year. While I’ve stopped setting the cliche “lose weight” resolution many years ago, I do still pick intentions in other areas of my life. The majority are savings related, but my personal style is an area that I spend a great deal of time (and money) on as well. I’ve been tracking my spending on clothing specifically for the last couple years and have notices a steady increase. Though I am able to afford more expensive slow made items now, I don’t want to consume in excess like I used to do with fast fashion.

There are many in the community who have chosen to be transparent about money & slow fashion and I really appreciate that. I’ve always had an issue with envying others, so when I first delved into following slow fashion, I was jealous of how influencers were sent high cost items and bought pricier things on a weekly basis. But thanks to being grateful for what I have, others being open to talk about what big influencers ignore (i.e. money & budgeting,) and knowing that just by choosing to post what I enjoy, positive feelings prevail.

I haven’t picked a specific number of items or a total amount to spend, but I have made a plan. Items I put on my wishlist will have a longer wait time before buying. During that wait time, I will really consider if the item would fill a hole in my closet. Then I will plan as many ways as I possibly can to style it. After I have done those steps, and the item still looks like it’d be a nice addition, I will purchase. I have collected a few favorites over last year especially, so anything I add in should become a favorite as well and not wind up in the “regret” section.

If you find yourself in a similar position with style goals but are tempted to buy, here are some recommendations:

Focus on inspiration

Whether it be Pinterest or Instagram, try searching for looks comprised of your favorite items. You may find a new way to style them!

Try a style challenge

These are so much fun. I love the encouragement everyone shares with one another and it really helps you be creative with what you already have.

Choose a specific something to save on

It could be a vacation or a new tech item or whatever you decide you’d like in the future. I find this is very helpful in dissuading me from spending money on clothes.

Talk about it

Maybe with your partner, a close friend, or someone you trust in the community. Sometimes it just helps to have someone listen and understand.

Until next time, stay Sheek!

-Shekinah