your ancestors in case you sound like a ‘hotep n*gga’, attend Notting Hill Carnival (yes, even if you’re an introvert) and celebrate all the stereotypes, even if you know that you don’t fit into that ‘Cool Blackness’. Try to. Because if you stand out too much, if you’re too different, Black People might start looking at you funny. And White people might even be confused as to what to call you because you’re not a ‘typical blackie’. Who gets the funding for Black events? And why do THEY get the funding? Sometimes I believe that they’ve simply learned to be interesting and ‘cool’ enough to play the game of identity politics, in such a way that is aesthetically appealing for the white gaze, whilst also capitalising off of struggling ethnic-minority communities - but you know, making it fashion. Maybe I’m too harsh but I do often wonder who are the tastemakers for the things we 82 // AUTONOMY, ACTIVISM & ART DIRECTION.
are producing? And are we being honest in our representations or do we strive to be identifiable enough to get the funding that we need to celebrate Blackness.
