Another week down, at the very least? Mike and I had a low-key Memorial Day at home. It was actually nice to just be here and not have to drive anywhere or deal with traffic. I worked on sewing a dress, which was a great distraction. I had so much fun sewing it though, I think this hobby is about to take over my life 😉
This is the pattern I used, and this is the fabric I used.
Here’s what has been on my radar this week:
ONE // Anti-Racism Resources for White People
I struggled to find the right words for the injustices that occurred this week. Partly because I don’t even know how to articulate I feel properly and also because I’m afraid I’m going to say the wrong thing. But I’d rather risk saying the wrong thing (and learn from it) than stay silent and say nothing. I don’t think there is grey area at all– George Floyd was murdered. After watching the video and was so disturbed and angry… and you should be too. Most of my readers are white women and I wanted to share this Google Doc with many resources about how to be a better ally for people of color and to actively fight racism.
TWO // Ben Platt’s Single “So Will I”
Ben Platt’s new song is so good. I have been listening to it a few times a day (often more). I think he’s ridiculously talented. Her performed it (over the computer!) for James Cordon’s show. It’s such a soothing, nice song to listen to.
THREE // Emillie Ferris’ Thread Paintings
Tell me this isn’t the most beautiful embroidery work you’ve ever seen? Those butterflies look so realistic it blows my mind. It looks like a monarch landed on the fabric. The details!!! True art right there.
FOUR // The Ickabog
J. K. Rowling is sharing chapters she wrote for kids/families called The Ickabog online for free right now. There’s also an art competition for people to submit illustrations to be used by publishers when they release the book this fall!
FIVE // A Socially Distanced Prom
I think this, by far, the cutest thing I saw on the internet this week. A little boy named Curtis found out that his nanny Rachel wasn’t going to have a prom, so he threw her one in the backyard. He got all dressed up (that suit) and set up the most darling prom for her.
Thank you for sharing resources!
ah but I wish it was an 8th Harry Potter book!
I could cry as a long time African American reader of yours. After seeing many white people say nothing, carry on as if the only enemy of the country is COVID this week thank you for using your platform to share those resources and acknowledge that what happened was wrong. I’m sure your other POC readers will appreciate it too. Thank you for sharing the insight that many of you may stay silent not because you’re not disturbed but because you don’t know what to say or are afraid of staying the wrong thing. Some of your readers may not like this and give you backlash but thank you for speaking up for the truth and trying to be part of the solution. It may seem like a small gesture but what you’ve done is meaningful. As a sometimes preppy black female physician, it is not easy to be black in this country no matter what your style, education or background otherwise. If you haven’t heard of Christian Cooper the birder, he demonstrates that perfectly. And these are not occasional happenings; this is a regular basis for us from school, work, shopping and other public spaces; there is genuine fear of police. Our reality. I’ll save the stories but a deep thank you again. I can only imagine the risk to do this publicly to an audience that may feel unconnected and uncomfortable with this topic; but I appreciate that you recognize and are willing to speak truthfully about what is right for all people and not just those that look like you.
Fellow POC reader and I want to echo what was said above!
Another Black woman here. So glad to see you using this platform to educate about white anti-racism!
Long-time POC reader. Recognize and appreciate your courage, Carly.
As a long time reader of color, I echo this!
Carly, thank you for posting so honestly about this horrendous situation. That there is ever even one George Floyd is a travesty. When my {white} son was 16, I will never forget an interview I saw with an African American mom about her son. She said he had been pulled over dozens of times, most likely because he simply drove a nice car. My son drove a nice car as a teen and he had never been pulled over. It made me utterly sick and furious with how UNFAIR it is. I ache to do something to make it better. I don’t know what to do! “Thoughts and prayers” are almost an insult at this point. Certainly not close to doing enough. I CAN and DO acknowledge racism and how it inexcusably, unforgivingly continues in this country. I am praying to find ways to do much more.
Another longtime reader and POC. When I saw your instagram stories this weekend I was blown away with gratitude, which in many ways made me realize that I need not expect less than exactly this from the influencers that I follow. But regardless, thank you so much Carly. So grateful to see you lead by example here, and potentially sacrifice some aspects of monetization/your platform to speak out for what’s right, to speak out for us, to speak out with us. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thanks for speaking up and sharing resources!
Thank you, Carly. This is a wonderfully productive response. I am grateful for your stance and for this post.
If you continue down the garment making path, I highly recommend investing in both a regular zipper foot (which might have come with your machine, sometimes they do) and an invisible zipper foot. Invisible zippers are very common on garments, particularly women’s dresses, and the foot will make them a breeze to sew. They’re scary at first but do them a couple of times on a muslin and you’ll be able to do them in your sleep.
Thank you for speaking up! As a reader from Europe, I was so irritated that some of the American blogs I read didn’t even mention what happened.
Thank you for sharing the google doc and using your platform to speak up!
http://alexagmarsh.blogspot.com/
That dress is so cute and that thread painting is gorgeous!!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Thank you for sharing the resource list. I appreciate the fact that you have been brave enough to talk about current events. So many keep silent for fear of offending people.
I really enjoyed the livestream you did with Ashley last night. Sewing has been a great way to pass the time. I hope y’all can find another project to share!
Thank you for sharing the Google Doc, Carly– I really appreciate it, as someone who is also trying to learn more about how to be an ally.
Thank you for sharing the anti-racism resources!! I bookmarked the google doc and I am eager to look through these resources. I will say, if you haven’t read anything by Robin DiAngelo yet I would highly recommend her work! “What Does It Mean to Be White” is such a fabulous book that really helped me unpack my unconscious biases so that I can actively combat them in the future.
Thank you for speaking up, Carly!
Thank you for sharing those resources Carly! I also have felt in the past like it was better to not speak up than to say something wrong and have felt a major shift in that this week. And really appreciate seeing other women that look like me doing the same thing. I’ve learned so much this week but its only the tip of the iceberg and plan to really engage in the resources that have been shared this week.
Carly, thank you for sharing anti-racism resources. I am so disheartened that so many bloggers I follow fail to use their platform to draw attention to important issues such as racial injustice. I know these conversations can feel difficult and uncomfortable. As a white woman myself, I know it sometimes is easier to ignore the conversation (especially in a position such as your own where you are sure to be criticized either way). But we can’t stay silent! We must demand systematic change, our silence empowers and enables oppression. Thank you for using your platform to speak out. I hope you will continue to do so <3
Only ‘white’ people can be racists?
Your response is precisely why sharing resources and encouraging people to educate themselves is so important.
I really like your blog for all other content, but will no longer follow, due to your response.
No discussion, only publicly shaming for daring to disagree/ask a legitimate question.
Courtney, if you can’t be bothered to educate yourself, you’re part of the problem. Carly has provided a great resource. Use it as a jumping off platform.
Interpreting that response from the blog owner as “publicly shaming” you.
Peak white fragility.
Can it be “publicly shaming” if only your first name is used with no picture and nothing about you 🤔 I think Carly handled your comment graciously 😊
Thank you, Carly, for sharing your perspective and resources. As another longtime American female reader of African descent (you may have many more readers than you imagined), the horrors of this week are especially difficult when one is raising sons and feeling so powerless to truly prepare and protect them when they are old enough to drive and move about in society without their somewhat preppy mom nearby. Still, we hope, we pray, and we vote. Also, Emillie Ferris’ work is magnificent! Thank you for continuing to introduce us to beautiful things.
Thank you for a well written post!
Thank you for your videos on how to blog and this very cool blog site. Someone just suggested that I blog and I haven’t looked at too many and I love yours. Positive and uplifting! Thank you for your resources regarding the recent events with George Floyd. TOGETHER we can truly make this an equitable society.
Hi Carly,
I just recently found your blog through bloglovin’ and am so so happy to see you joining the anti-racism fight.
I do suggest you re-think your support of J.K. Rowling, as she time and time again speaks against trans-rights, and cotinues to be trans-exclusionary.