👀 Make a statement

#227 | No stereotyping; only Inclusion

Hola!

Growing up in the enlightened age of American shows on Indian TV screens, us Brown kids had one character to represent. One. Apu from The Simpsons. This was the gold standard of American television, and I, like most of my generation, clung to this bizarre caricature who was like no Indian we'd ever met.

The exclusion of minorities, irrespective of where your feet are planted, is pervasive to the extent it is white noise. Racism, misrepresentation and discrimination are as sneaky as they are subtle.

My favourite thing about the Interweb is how it gives voice to systemically unheard, underrepresented folks determined to dismantle the old, question everything, and demand better representation. 

One of my favourite people on the web educating the world about her condition with fabulous old-world grace is Jessica Kellgren-Fozard.

Jessica uses her platform to talk about her struggles with hereditary neuropathy, chronic fatigue and deafness. She doesn't always "look" disabled - a frustrating problem for most people with chronic illness.

Her videos are also a goldmine for vintage fashion and makeup lovers, thanks to her signature style. Her unique perspective shows how disability and fashion don't have to be mutually exclusive. Her over 973K subscribers on YouTube agree. 

Yours,
Nikita