To those saying 'I don't care about the royal family' this isn't only about H & M. This couple - wealthy, powerful, privileged - are a proxy for how insidious, embedded and systemic racism is.
How much the establishment will close ranks to keep out that which they perceive as 'other'. How devastating it is - something that wealth and power does not shield you from - and how much it ruins people's lives.
Now imagine navigating that without the power and privilege.
You don't have to care about the royals, but you should care that this situation is shining a (further) light on what a racist, toxic shithole this country can be. And if you're white, you benefit in many small (and sometimes very large) ways you probably don't even notice.
Some stuff I've read this year which is helping me understand more:
Brit(ish) by @afuahirsch
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by @renireni
Go read Black authors, journalists (you could start with @DavidOlusoga 's great piece in the today's Guardian), consume Black film, dance and other art. Buy things from Black-owned businesses. etsy.com/uk/featured/bl…
If you have a platform of any kind, use it to boost people who don't share the same level of access or power. Question institutions on what they're doing to step beyond D&I 101; hold everyone to a higher standard.
On that note, as someone with a moderate Twitter platform, am open to ideas on how I can use it more effectively here.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
I'm tired of seeing men who are the victims of abuse and rape being used as pawns by *other men* in order to shut down conversations about women.
They deserve more than that. Violence perpetrated by men against women is a very specific, gendered crime. 'What about male victims' doesn't actually seek to highlight those victims, it is only intended to shut women down.
If you legitimately care about men who suffer DV or other forms of abuse, you can start that conversation. Get involved with @ManKindInit or @RefugeCharity but DO NOT DARE weaponise those men in your 'debate'.
The Ardennes draught horse originates from the Ardennes area of Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. Considered one of the oldest breeds of draught horse, it may be a direct descendent of the prehistoric Solutré Horse.