Written by Tanvi Patel

First and foremost, I have to confess that this message is going to be long and likely unnoticed because this is nothing to do with lashes but right now I’m going to be candid.

Secondly, sorry not sorry for not making this about my lash business and why you should continue to buy from me or get trained by me.

This is about Black Lives Matter

So here it goes…

I'm not an expert nor a member of the black community to speak about my own experience. But that doesn't mean I can't do anything. 

I don’t know about you but I don’t know how to hide my emotions. So when I learned about George Floyd through word of mouth, I was very hesitant to watch the recording. Finally mustered the courage to watch it with my mom and grandma. I was in complete shock, my heart broke watching him cry for his mom and I felt so angry with these cops – like get the f*** off of him.

I know you don’t care about how I feel about this and you shouldn’t. But it got me thinking, imagine how are our black friends are feeling?

They have been going through this type of injustice for too many decades.

We all posted black squares on Instagram for #blackouttuesday.

View this post on Instagram

We are tired and can’t change things alone. This is a call to action for those of us who work in music/entertainment/show business to pause on Tuesday, June 2nd because the show can’t just go on as our people are being hunted and killed. Use this time on Tuesday to come together and figure out how we can hold our partners, colleagues and companies alike, accountable to come up with and execute a plan that actively supports and protects the VERY CULTURE that it profits from. #THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED

A post shared by Bri Anna (@bri_anna) on May 29, 2020 at 5:16pm PDT

Many people started saying, we’re not helping by posting black squares because we’re covering up helpful information and suppressing images of protests.

Sure.

Maybe it did hide information on Instagram but it made me wonder why everyone was posting a black square and in turn it became a moment for me to educate myself on systemic racism, what I can do help, sign petitions and talk to my family and friends.

So, I would say posting a black square was helpful, at least for me. 

All I want to say is black lives still matter. Just because it’s no longer trending on social media, doesn’t mean it’s no longer relevant.

As a South Asian living in Canada, I have faced discrimination but not to the extent that our Black and indigenous friends have. I don’t fear death over being pulled over by the cops. I don’t worry about whether I will return home. I live comfortably.

This is not the case for our Black and Indigenous friends.

Feeling unsafe around people whose job is to protect you is not okay.

And for all those preaching that all lives matter. Yes, all lives will matter when black lives matter. If you still don’t get it, watch this:

@giv.sharp

ngl this is how some of y’all sound :/ ##blm ##fyp

♬ original sound - giv.sharp

If you don’t think white privilege exists, then watch this:

@kristieonair

Thought we’d try this... ##blacklivesmatter 🤦‍♀️ White privileged is real. @mikeithradio @jordanandkristie

♬ Check Your Privilege by Big Mamma - boss_bigmamma

Here are some simple resources that can help you understand and do something about it:

Systemic Racism

Talk to your family and friends in your own language about the importance of Black Lives Matter using this letter

I’m trying to spend 10 minutes at a minimum to educate myself and determine what I can do to help the black community.

You can do the same: Educate Yourself

Let's be better human beings people.

As for lash business...

I went to my lash conference last year and I'm sorry to say but I did not see many people of colour. I definitely felt out of place being there.

And I know for a fact there are many talented black and brown lash artists out there who are just crushing it. So why weren't they there?

I still don't have the answer.

Was it the cost?

Was it lack of awareness?

If you know the reasons, please help me understand.