Since I was last here there has been a lot going on in the knitting community; a lot of discussion, a lot of confusion and a huge amount of emotion - all of it centered around racism. There have been a growing number of voices who have had the courage to speak and share personal experiences and who have really fuelled discussions with their raw honesty. They must now be exhausted by the amount of focus that this has brought them - both in dealing with negative comments/abuse and with the volume of people wanting to talk further, ask for advice or to just show support.
If you're a regular ravelry user or use instagram to follow other knitters or designers then you will no doubt have already come across this on-going exploration of racism in the knitting world. I have nothing insightful to add to the discussion, I am still grappling with my own uncomfortable feelings that a community that I receive warmth, friendship and support from, and am an active part of, can make others feel unwelcome, excluded or persecuted merely on the basis of their skin colour.
I'm not writing here in order to instruct you on your own choices or actions, I have absolutely no credentials on that front, and I'm not writing about this to invite debate or discussion - there are other forums for that, if that is what you wish to take part in. Instead I simply wanted to share some of the resources that I've been reading and have been finding helpful with my own thoughts. If the thought that the knitting world is not as cosy and safe and loving to some as it is to others troubles you too, you might want to explore what steps you can personally take to be a part of change. Taking the first step could begin very simply with searching out more information and reading some of the personal accounts with empathy.
When each of us takes an individual step towards making the spaces that we share (whether they be on-line or physical spaces), as welcoming and friendly and representative to everyone who would like to enter them, collectively we will form a more diverse, dynamic and creative community.
So, a few links that I've found helpful (and I know these are very limited but lots of you who visit here have previously said that you don't use instagram, and if you follow the links you'll find more links...):
Reading Assignments - some background to why this is being talked about now, by Hunter Hammersen
Racism and inclusion in the yarn community, Ravelry
5 initial ways you can be a better ally to people of colour, by Savonne Anderson
Black people do knit article by Jeanette Sloan
POC designers and crafters list by Jeanette Sloan
Resource list by Louiselynda (this is quite comprehensive)
Thanks so much for reading x
(The picture above is an old one, but it seemed apt)
