TO MY FUTURE CLIENTS: Let me make this clear, as I am guilty for not making it crystal clear with my platform. You are all welcome here. I welcome anyone with full hearts and I do not care if you are black, white, brown, yellow, disabled, lgbtq, plus-sized, etc. ALL OF IT IS WELCOME HERE.
TO THE WEDDING INDUSTRY: We ALL need to change. We need to diversify our portfolio, what we feature and blog. We need to not pick “pretty white hipster models in the desert” all the damn time. I am always so honored to be featured on blogs like @dancingwithher that doesn’t discriminate on age, sex, color, religion. Let’s hold these big names accountable! D I V E R S I F Y.
TO MY WHITE FRIENDS: Feeling guilty, useless, frustrated? ‘Cause I sure am. Tearing up for the past couple of days with all the videos I was consuming from frustration and anger. But I couldn’t turn them off. I shouldn’t and won’t. You shouldn’t either. We have a voice, so let’s use it! Let’s fight the good fight. Even with an immigrant Filipino mother, that doesn’t give me a pass. She still gave me privilege and I was always so proud of that. To my white friends, don’t sit there and say you don’t enjoy black comedy, music, dance, food, the list goes on and on, and not support black lives. Don’t just repost a black square and continue on with your lives. We must do B E T T E R. Use that privilege for good use! White silence is violence.
TO MY BLACK FRIENDS: I have had the honor of having multiple black friends who I still get to call my best friends growing up. I have had the privilege of watching their little families grow into happy families with beautiful kids of their own. Growing up in the Bay Area blessed me with a melting pot of diversified friends from black, white, filipino, Brazilian, the list goes on and on. I understand that some people didn’t have that honor of growing up with diversity. I understand you. I’m listening to you. I understand your skin color is not a weapon. Please know that I S T A N D and fight with you! ’Til the end of time.
TO MY MILLENNIALS/GEN Z: Our generation is always made fun of, but why? We have social media platforms to use our voices. For free!!! Let’s get out, register and vote. For free! Let’s use this platform to make moves. We have social media for a reason. Let’s start with not supporting racist brands, influencers and companies who do not stand for what we are fighting for and believe in. Who do not have diversity. I really think our generation has the P O W E R to change the world, once and for all.
TO OUR OLDER GENERATION: Please hear us out and don’t shut us down. Don’t shut our fight down, join us. Don’t be stuck in your old ways. Acknowledge that racism is taught. Be proud of your children’s purpose and use of voice. Stand with us for the future of your grandchildrens generation. Specifically the older asian generation, without the civil rights movements in the 60’s, we would not have had the opportunity to freely immigrate to America. For all those, “But I don’t believe in looting and ruining businesses…” Merchandise can be replaced, black lives cannot. W A K E U P.
TO MY FUTURE SELF: Be more involved in not just the presidential election, but state and county too. Being aware of the brands I support and give my money to. Do not support companies who aren’t using their voice when their influence is heavily needed. Do not be scared to be speak up for what’s right. Using this platform without fear of backlash and “losing followers.” Get uncomfortable. Get educated. Contribute. Listen.
TO YOU: If you are not angry at all these videos and articles we consume every day. If this doesn’t tug on your heart strings, and you disagree with anything I just said. If you have an inch of racism in your body. If you think all lives matter and not black lives matter. Go ahead and hit that unfollow button and miss me with that bullshit.
ONE LOVE.
