17/06/2020
EXCELLENT READ FROM Real Talk contributor Danielle-Jocelyne Otou
“Allyship really happens offline, it’s about taking the time to actually do the work. Sitting down to read the books — and not just posting about them; having the difficult conversations; intervening when witnessing injustice; sharing the mic to amplify black voices when the opportunity presents itself; but most importantly — assessing just how deeply the system lives within you by checking your own biases and assumptions. If we’re not doing any of these things behind the scenes, then everything being shared on our socials is pointless. The sustainable change that needs to happen is in all of our hearts, and will stem from our own ability to dismantle the system within ourselves. That’s really the crux of the work.”
It’s a new day, in which Black Lives Matter protests have ushered in an era of zero tolerance, and where brand founders are being called out for racist behavior. I spoke with Daniele-Jocelyne Otou, change seeker and founder of Female Department, about the steps to take to create lasting change.
