The recent killing of an African-American man, George Floyd has brought a wave of political and communal unrest in the United States of America amidst the global pandemic. Amidst these unfortunate situations, the fashion fraternity has stood together and done their bit for the black community as well as protestors. Many high-end fashion labels and ace designers have donated funds to the Black Lives Matter movement and other charities that support this cause.
Nepalese-American fashion designer, Prabal Gurung penned a strong message in solidarity with the black community and voiced his opinion against the racial injustice in the country.
Recalling his days in Nepal, he states that he somehow was aware of the struggles that black people faced, but not exposed or educated about it. However, after arriving in America, he witnessed the ‘divided and oppressive’ system for himself. Witnessing the blatant discrimination in the fashion industry, Gurung made the decision of standing for what is right, long time ago.
He urged the people to break the oppressive cycle that pits different minority groups against one another and asked them to look after each other as well. “To break from this cycle, we must begin by asking: Who benefits when minority groups fight each other or are apathetic to one another’s struggles? The colonists are the ones who have been advantaged by our decades-long burden of being othered, of being divided. As we all fight for our seat at the decision-making table, it is imperative that we make room for others as well, and that we don’t stop until that table is as diverse as the body of people it represents,” read an excerpt from his statement.
He concluded his message saying that it’s time for people to stand in solidarity with black communities and show America that they are more than a “well-behaved” and complicit trope. Demanding for change, Prabal ended his note saying black lives indeed matter.“It is time for us to stand in solidarity with black communities whose sacrifices led to the civil rights and privileges we benefit from. It is time we show America we are more than a “well-behaved” and complicit trope. Now is the time for action. We have to demand change, and demand that police brutality and the flagrant and systematic disregard for black lives stops. Humanity is not tied to one person, place, gender or race. Black Lives Matter; our liberation is bound together and we must turn our segregated oppression into a collective resistance.”
(Source- Instagram)
