Action Over Intention

This is going to be uncomfortable. I am going to say the wrong thing and I may cause offence but I refuse to carry on 'business as usual' because it just isn't.

I am aware this is going to look performative.

I am also aware that this may cause many people to unsubscribe.

This is a risk I am willing to take because saying nothing is choosing to stay part of the problem

This discomfort is nothing compared to the injustice, brutality and absolute disregard for the lives of people of colour.

As a a white woman living from a place of massive privilege - I am sorry.

I am sorry for not speaking out sooner. I am sorry to my black clients and followers who may feel they have not been represented as they should have been in my business. There is no excuse.

This week I have stopped all promotions, stepped off my social media platforms (apart from to share valuable resources) and have committed to listening and learning.

This goes beyond the hashtag - things in both my life and business will change as we take the following immediate action:

• Investing in education for myself and my team 
• Making anti-racism training mandatory
• Opening the conversation and offering more resources for our client communities 
• Only speaking at events that are inclusive and diverse in the speakers they choose and the content they distribute
• Having an active and open conversation with anyone we do business with about anti-racism work - cutting ties and ending relationships who are not in support of this movement

We have pushed back this weeks scheduled podcast episode and instead I share my reflections on the past week and some valuable resources to help our community take action and be part of this extremely important conversation. You can listen here.

I know you might not know what to say and you may be afraid of getting it wrong but in the beautiful words of Preston Smiles,

"Yes you may offend, but so what ... that's how we learn and grow.

That mask of perfection has to come off at some point and to me this is the perfect moment.

I promise your slight discomfort isn't anywhere close to the pain and suffering many darker skinned people have lived with their whole lives.

Love will find a way. Everything else will find an excuse."

Lastly, I will continue to use my platform to amplify black voices and anti-racism educators. This will most be over on my Instagram account (@kirstykianifard) - I hope to meet you there.

Kirsty x