Last month I was invited to a Toronto Book Blogger meetup, and although my weekend was swamped, I was determined to go.
Why? Well, because when book lovers gather magical things happen!
I had to bring my daughter which wasnβt a big deal because for the most part sheβs pretty well behaved and she also loves talking about books.
But upon arriving I quickly noticed that I was the only woman of colour in the group.
Not a big deal because this is something that Iβve actually grown quite accustomed to, but stillβ¦it made me think like it always does when Iβm in a similar situation.
Over the last decade of working in corporate communications, Iβve often been the ONLY ONE in rooms, meetings, and even entire conferences with 100s of attendees.
Representation Matters more than you know.
Part of what prompted βThis Black Girl Readsβ came from an experience I had while in Banff, Alberta last year at a conference.
If youβve ever been to Banff it is GORGEOUS, the mountains, the air, the wildlife. That time was my third or fourth trip there and I was quite accustomed at that time with the fact that there werenβt many minorities in that part of Canada.
More than anything though I left feeling thankful because it renewed my sense of clarity of why my mission for THIS BLACK GIRL READS is so important.
When Iβm there I normally get up really early so that I can get in some of the many activities they offer. Iβve been horseback riding in the mountains, Iβve done yoga at sunrise and on this morning I was preparing to do a 6 am hiking trip with a group of strangers. Please donβt ask me what on earth I was thinking, I still feel the burn.
As I often do on solo trips I was reading at breakfast, I wish I could remember what book it was but it has totally slipped my mind.
Then this older white man made a comment to me out of nowhereβ¦ βoh wow I didnβt know black girls read!β YES, I couldnβt make this up, he actually said that.Β I know right!
As I challenged him responding, βExcuse Meβ in my most stern mommy voice, he backed down ans scurried away. But the incident left me appalled and annoyed.
That small interaction along with once again being the only one in a group, at this meetup, had me questioning βwhy was I the only one?β
Donβt get me wrong the women at the Bookstagram meetup were absolutely lovely, I enjoyed chatting with them about books and I even received a few very helpful tips and recommendations. Thanks ladies!
More than anything though I left feeling thankful because it renewed my sense of clarity of why my mission for THIS BLACK GIRL READS is so important.
As Black girls, weβve been told our stories, voices, and experiences donβt matter. Whether by accident or on purpose we are often just left out of the conversation, overlooked and sometimes even ridiculed.
But as a Black girl with a voice, Iβm committed to the never-ending discovery of these stories. And reading them is just as important as discussing them and sharing them with my fellow black girls but also with everyone else too.
Because what Iβve learned over and over and over again is that Representation Matters, Our stories matter and this black girlβs presence matters. And sometimes you have to be in the room to know how much you matter.
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Elizabeth
September 11, 2015There may be others champing at the bit, but Ralph Lauren’s spring collection proves that he remains the master of all-American fashion. From the blue-and-white striped top paired with a navy floral skirt and accented with a neck scarf, to the matching twinsetβits cardigan tied at the waist of a pair of periwinkle pantsβthe effort was a welcome departure from the decadence we so often expect from a fashion show. (Well, at least most fashion shows.) Lauren also made a great case for the brown leather belt. It will certainly be at the top of many spring shopping lists