Episode 07: Representation or Tokenism?
Representation, Inclusion, and Intersectionality
In Episode 07 of Art of Citizenry Podcast, Manpreet Kalra is joined by Chloe Jackman and Rachel Faller in a conversation deconstructing representation and how we can approach conversations around representation with more authenticity. They discuss how representation in brand marketing falls short of addressing systemic oppressions and how we can shift our understanding of representation to co-create a more just and equitable future. The also announce the launch of their new venture together, Reclaim Collaborative!
Exploring Intersectional Identities
One of the things I have found to be most impactful in my work is unpacking the complexity and layers to how we identify. No single person has a single identity. We are multidimensional, with each layer of our identity shaping how we see ourselves and hope to be seen.
It is not controversial to say that our identities are about more than just our race. And yet, when we think about representation, the web of experiences that shape our intersectional identities often melds together into one singular identifier of difference: race.
Representation cannot be about individual characteristics that make up any given person, it's about how those characteristics intersect and influence a person's experiences. This is why concepts like intersectionality, which was coined in 1989 by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw are important, which essentially looks at how multiple forms of inequality or disadvantage compound themselves.
Our advantages and disadvantages as we navigate an unequal world change, they are fluid and shift as the circumstances around us change. And so, our experiences are a result of a hierarchy of factors that influence the privileges and oppressions that we encounter. Privileges and oppressions compound each other, influencing how they shape our experiences.
Let me share a story…
While in school, my husband traveled to Cuba for a medical education trip. At the immigration counter, the person on the other end was confused by him. Before him stood a brown man with a beard wearing a turban who appeared to be Indian, but was born in Canada, was an American citizen with an American passport, and spoke fluent Spanish without a hint of a distorting American accent. The officer stood confused, eventually summoning a second officer to verify everything was up to snuff. In that moment, why it took longer for my husband to pass through screening cannot be pinpointed to any one aspect of his identity. Sure, some factors, like race in many cases, weigh heavier than others, but the way these aspects of our identity intersect and sometimes contradict each other requires nuance that many of us fail to recognize when talking about representation. We are more than any one aspect of our identity.
Over the past few months, conversations around representation have become a core response for businesses on how they plan to foster a more anti-racist culture within the work place. Across industries, representation has become all about putting more black bodies in front of the camera and in Instagram feeds. Which, don't get me wrong, is fantastic, but this approach to representation can be hollow and easily falls short.
Representation normalizes difference and builds up those who are otherwise left unheard and unseen. Brands need to recognize that their marketing and branding should not just show what their current customer base looks like, but rather strive to represent the customer base they hope to have, one built on inclusion, not exclusion.
Representation + Black Lives Matter
Racism has historically and continues to fuel the way we navigate difference. It is reinforced by the systems and policies we navigate. These differences are what define how others see us, what boxes we are put in.
What happened with Breonna Taylor and her case, represents our current climate, it represents a lack of value for black and brown lives. It represents a lack of caring.
- Chloe Jackman
One of the things I have noticed over the last few months is an increase in representation of black bodies in brand marketing, especially on social media. I remember right after the murder of George Floyd, brands started to post photos and run ads with black models on Instagram. It is amazing to have more people of color in front of the camera, but we must be cautious not to fall into the realm of tokenism and performative allyship.
If you are really trying to make change, if this is something you really want to. do, what are you doing on the backend? What are you doing that nobody is going to give you a pat on the back or high five for? What are you doing that is not front facing or forward facing to the world? What are you doing to work on yourself, and your business and challenge your ideas of racism because we all got them…For me representation in the world of social media especially goes deeper than. what. you see on the surface. I want to. know you are doing the work behind. the. scenes. - Chloe Jackman
At this moment in history, it is in vogue to have people of color in your marketing, but that must be intrinsically tied to doing the work of unpacking power structures at play within your business. Power structures that might mean your business is not truly representing a diversity of voices, a diversity of identities.
Representation matters from diversity of ethnicity and cultural background to sex to LGBTQ to accessibility…all of that matters. - Chloe Jackman
Representation in Brand Marketing
A lot of times people say, how do I look authentic, instead of actually saying, how do I be authentic?…in order to have a company that effectively tackles, climate change, climate justice, and social justice, in order to have a company that does that, well, our business needs to be made up of people who know how to fix those problems, and who have been affected by those problems. And that will naturally lead to having a business that's more diverse.
- Rachel Faller
Inclusivity has to be about more than customer facing photography and marketing campaigns. It has to be about incorporating a diversity of experiences in all aspects of your business.
“…having that representation of people who are deeply embedded in the problems and the solution across your whole business model, not just in the people that you're supposedly trying to ‘save,’ is representation to me.” - Rachel Faller
In the fair trade, ethical, sustainability space, we often see brands that claim to be diverse because all the artisans making their products are people of color, but that is not representation. Representation is about inclusivity in leadership, including the people you hire to be part of your team, may they be full time employees or consultants in the Global North.
I don’t think the goal should be diversity itself. The goal should be that if we really want to create models that promote equity and justice, our businesses must be inclusive and representative. A business that is not inclusive and representative, is fundamentally not a justice focused business. - Rachel Faller
Reclaim Collaborative
Reclaim Collaborative is a community dedicated to building a better, more just fashion and lifestyle ecosystem. We believe no one person or brand alone can address systemic injustices. We are brands, content creators and industry experts working to creating widespread system change. We are both an affiliate marketing platform, but also a community dedicated to fostering healthy and equitable relationships built on respect for everyone's work and talents. We believe in challenging the systems we operate in by supporting brands to address inclusion in all aspects of their business. Learn more!
Reclaim Black Friday
As you know the Black Friday weekend is quite problematic, so we've designed a campaign to reclaim Black Friday weekend and redistribute funds from sales to Black and Indigenous operated environmental organizations. Our goals with Reclaim Black Friday are twofold: to challenge the colonialist, capitalist, consumerist mindset that drives Black Friday, and to put money directly in the hands of Black and Indigenous folks who are working to heal the land and support their communities. If you are brand looking to participate, learn more and register your interest here.
Additional Resources + Links
Interested in reading some of the resources I reference during the episode? Check out these links:
[Instagram Live] Where are you really from? featuring Manpreet Kalra + Neha Sharma
[Podcast] Art of Citizenry Podcast Episode 6: Voluntourism, Mission Trips + Dismantling the Savior Complex
[BLOG POST] Revisiting Our Branding: Treating Symptoms vs Systemic Change by Rachel Faller
[BLOG POST] Co-creating an Equitable and Just Future with Manpreet Kalra, published on tonlé
[TED TALK] The Urgency of Intersectionality by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw
Connect with Our Guests
Chloe Jackman is a professional photographer based in San Francisco and co-founder of Reclaim Collaborative. Follow @chloejackmanphotos on Instagram.
Rachel Faller is the founder + creative director of tonlé and co-founder of Reclaim Collaborative. Follow @tonledesign on Instagram.
And of course, don’t forget to follow @reclaimcollaborative on Instagram too!
Thank You
This podcast is dedicated to creating a safe space to discuss and challenge topics surrounding how we each navigate our personal advantages and disadvantages. I want to thank Neha, Lindsay, and Austin for joining me today and sharing their valuable insights.
Finally, thank you for listening! Please subscribe, download, and leave a review for Art of Citizenry Podcast — I appreciate your love and support on this exciting journey!
Also, if you want to connect, please feel free to follow me and share your thoughts with me on Instagram @manpreetkalra.