Visibility Matters

Before deciding to completely shift the narrative of this blog post, my initial thought was to give some styling tips on the camel bomber and other camel outwear pieces. So, like most blog posts, I researched the product history of the garment and its various styles. My searches included key phrases like androgynous camel bomber and masculine presenting women in camel bomber. I wish I could say I was surprised by the results, but much like other searches on the internet, runways, and advertisements, I was bombarded with non-inclusive examples of cis white men and women. Thus, the shift in narrative.

As a woman of color who identifies as androgynous and/or masculine presenting, I understand the importance of visibility. 14 years ago, when I first came out, there wasn’t a single person that I could relate to or draw inspiration from. Everywhere I turned for fashion, travel, or love was a “perfect” cis white hetero story. It wasn’t until the release of tv series ‘The L Word‘ that I was able to somewhat get a better understand of my identity. But even that show lacked diversity and inclusion with a predominantly hetero white cast. I dare someone to say that QPOCs were represented through Bette (the dominate bi-racial fem who’s partner was white) or Tasha (the aggressive or butch lesbian who’s partner was white). Umm.. where was the masculine presenting, non-binary, trans, curvaceous, melanin representation? Where was my black couple love goals story?

Visibility Matters

If it’s partiality it’s not visibility (period).

So, to QPOC family, we cannot continue to sit on the sidelines and wait for others to tell our story! Black people are so multilayered and multifaceted, no one story, image, or shade represents us all. So, I strongly urge you to use your voices and platforms to share with the world what it means to be YOU and how beautiful and important our communities are. This is the ONLY way to truly ensure inclusion and drive change.

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