Two Global Pandemics

Casual spring outfit with striped face mask, grey dress, pink sandals — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Casual spring outfit with grey dress, white crossbody bag, striped face mask — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Everlane day crossover sandals in rose spring outfit with grey faux wrap dress — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Amour Vert grey Kim faux wrap dress spring outfit with white bag and striped face mask — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Casual spring outfit with grey faux wrap dress, white bucket bag, pink sandals, striped face mask — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

I wore and photographed this outfit two weeks ago, on Memorial Day—May 25th. The day that George Floyd was murdered by the Minneapolis PD. At the time, the only pandemic on my mind was COVID-19. It was my first time going to the grocery store in person since before I started working from home in mid-March, and I was terrified. Meanwhile, there was a second pandemic raging on: racism. It’s one that never went away, but for me, I had (and still have) the privilege of not thinking about it.

George’s murder, happening mere months after Ahmaud’s murder and Breonna’s murder (and months and years after countless other murders), reignited the revolution that we are witnessing in streets around the U.S. and the world. This is a fight Black people have been fighting alone for DECADES. It’s embarrassing that it took another murder to get us (white people) to wake up. As the speakers at George Floyd’s funeral proclaimed, we cannot let any of their deaths be in vain.

Going forward, you’ll be seeing more outfits and other posts from me, but please know that I’m continuing my anti-racism education behind the scenes. Systemic racism—built over hundreds of years—cannot be dismantled over a week’s time, so we have to keep moving forward while avoiding burnout. We’re in this for the long haul. I plan to continue to share resources and realizations as they come up. I realize that I will likely mess up along the way, and I apologize for that.

All of my June affiliate earnings will be matched by me and donated to an organization involved in the Black Lives Matter movement. I haven’t decided which organization yet as there are so many and decision-making is not my strong suit this far in advance, but I’ll be sure to let you know which one I choose (and I’m always open to suggestions!). Thank you always for your support.

Find anti-racism resources here.

OUTFIT DETAILS

Amour Vert dress / old; similar by Vince Camuto (last seen here)
Everlane sandals / new version or similar
Clare Vivier for & Other Stories bag / old; similar by Calvin Klein
handmade mask c/o my mom / shop colorful masks from Amour Vert & Marine Layer