Kilse P. Ochem’s Post

Reflections On Black Girlhood and the politics of representation: Black girls straddle inequality and shame, as well as joy and self-authorship, in a new exhibition, Reflections: On Black Girlhood. https://lnkd.in/dnjznu5i

~ I’ve become increasingly uneasy about this uncritical exaltation of Tom of Finland—the august retrospectives; his images printed on T-shirts and swimwear or featured in collaborations with clothing designers like JW Anderson, Comme des Garçons, and Rufskin—which seems to have one ultimate message, reducible to GAY = GOOD. What if we decide that Tom of Finland actually is bad: politically suspect, deeply fucked up? Would we be in a position to think with more subtlety about the intersections of patriarchal white supremacy and the historical project of “gay liberation”? Could we more precisely chart how body fascism and political ideology reinforce or resist each other? Or, in our need for purity, must we pretend that this aesthetic did not exert appeal for those seeking new forms of sexual community—particularly people who explicitly opposed a fascist or racist project, even while seeming to appropriate fascist props?~ Jarret Earnest

How Can We Find Joy While Learning About Racism? 📚❤️ In this discussion, we explore the balance between heavy topics like racism and the joy found in shared experiences. We highlight the book "You Gotta Hear What Happened to Lacey" and how humor can coexist with difficult truths to foster understanding. #RacismAwareness #BookDiscussion #JoyInLearning #AmberRuffin #CommunityVoices #AntiRacism #LaughterAndLearning #Colorism #CollectiveExperiences #FindingBalance

"Craving and Carving Spaces to Talk About Blackness" Racialisation is a phenomenon experienced in particular socio-political contexts. I was 30, when I realised I was Black. Born in Jamaica, I had always been aware of my mocha skin and the rich shades of chocolate of my family, friends, and wider society. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I was exposed to music, television, travel, and eventually the internet, which informed me of human classifications based on skin color. However, that remained an external observation, not an internalized experience—until 2011. That year, I emigrated from Kingston to Canberra, sponsored by the ACT as a skilled migrant. It marked a new life and a new understanding of myself in a different socio-political landscape. Suddenly, I was a Black woman in a predominantly white country. In "Natives: Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire", Akala states that race is a biological fiction, but a political and social reality rooted in white supremacy. British intellectuals played a central role in establishing white superiority through their racialised global Empire. This Empire included the institution of African slavery: “As indentured servitude evolved into chattel slavery, and slavery became strictly reserved for people of African heritage, white privilege became all the more significant, literally determining the difference between remaining a human being and becoming a piece of property” (Akala, 2018, p.50). The ideology of slavery, the codification of humanity and its unconscious biases are alive today, though the manifestations have evolved. The biological fiction creates experiential commonality among African diasporic and BIPOC peoples in Australia. And I think it's important to have spaces to talk about it. That’s why I created Coils and Combs: A Black/Afro and Brown/Curly Hair event taking place in Melbourne, on Saturday, November 9. Hair plays a crucial role in the racialised experience: the more textured or coiled your hair is, the more of an issue it is on many levels. Coils and Combs is a space for Black + BIPOC folx with textured hair to engage and explore it through the arts. The event is curated by a collective of Black and BIPOC artists, including myself, to foster connection around the culture, care, artistry, and symbolic history of Afro/Black and Curly/Brown hair. There will be: - An Afro-pick making station - Afro-Cutting and Hair Care workshop - Panel Discussion on Hair, Identity & Art - African Comb Art Exhibit - Jamaican food and music Allies of all genders and hair types are welcome to come eat, dance, listen and learn. Let's hold space for these kind of conversations. Tickets for Coils and Combs are now on sale: https://lnkd.in/g2jjk3kD

Its in the drawing.....

Unveiling the Shadows of Colorism in Beauty Standards Do you reach for fairness creams or talcum powder, perhaps subconsciously hoping for a lighter complexion? Have you ever paused to ponder what drives this inclination? More importantly, do you realize that in doing so, you might unwittingly contribute to the perpetuation of colorism? Colorism, the ugly sibling of racism, thrives in the shadows of our beauty concepts, subtly influencing our choices and perceptions. Yet, have we stopped to question why movies consistently cast lighter-skinned actors and actresses, even for roles meant for darker-skinned characters? What lies behind this hegemony of skin color in our media and society at large? It's time to peel back the layers and confront the uncomfortable truths lurking beneath the surface. Let's delve into the nuances of colorism and its pervasive influence on our collective consciousness.

Colorism, the bias against individuals with darker skin tones within the same racial or ethnic group, has deep roots in history and continues to affect Black communities today. It impacts self-esteem, relationships, and even opportunities. Growing up in an environment that values lighter skin can lead to internalized feelings of inferiority for darker-skinned individuals. Constantly receiving messages, both overt and subtle, that lighter skin is more beautiful, more desirable, or more successful can create deep-seated insecurities. Darker-skinned people may experience rejection, teasing, or bullying from both within their own community and outside of it, leading to feelings of shame and self-hate. This can result in individuals feeling unworthy, overlooked, or invisible, especially when it comes to beauty standards, romantic desirability, and professional opportunities. #beautystandards #colorism #blackcommunities #blackexperiences #selfesteem #selfworth #skintones #darkerskinned #lighterskinned #internalizedfeelings #healing #communityconversations

👑 Happy Crown Day! aka “Black Hair Independence Day." It's not just another day on the calendar. This is the day we unapologetically stand in solidarity with Black women who wear their natural hair proudly. Imagine that, in 2024, we still have to fight for the basic right to rock our hair the way it grows out of our heads.⁠ And let's be clear, this isn't just a 'Black issue' or some niche concern. No, this affects everyone. Because if you think discrimination stops at hair, you're sorely mistaken. This is about showing up fully, authentically, and without compromise—something we all need to be free to do, especially in the events industry, where diversity and inclusion should be more than buzzwords. So today, we don’t just celebrate curls, locks, twists, afros, fades, braids, kinks, and coils. We honor our resilience, and culture, to let the world know that beauty is diverse, and it’s time our standards reflect that. Never let anyone or anything make you doubt your worth. Remember, a queen never lets her crown slip. 👑 Photographer:@AndreBrownPhoto Our Motto: “We have become the change we want to be” #NSBWEP #CrownDay #NationalCrownDay #BlackWeddingProfessionals #BlackEventProfessionals #weddingassociation #eventassociation