I also wanted to share that as a bi-racial Black herbalist, among my various identity intersections, I benefit from colorism. Colorism, which is rooted in racism, is the practice of favoring lighter skin over darker skin. The way it plays out and harms people with darker skin is insidious. As liberation remains a compass for me, one thing that is important to me is to uplift and center people doing this work who are darker than me.
If I'm sharing or saying it, someone darker than me probably has before! I'm grateful for Annika Hansteen-Izora publicly sharing this sentiment on their social & being open to this conversation as a fellow bi-racial Black creative. Making sure to responsibly acknowledge, credit, & engage with my humble platform is crucial. Herbalism, being a rich tradition of working with plants as tools for healing, has deep roots in Afro Indigenous cultures. It is not a truly healing space when void of these bigger conversations.
That said, I wanted to highlight some darkskin Black herbalists & artists in wellness doing incredible things whom you. must. know! While dismantling colorism is more complex than this gesture, it is one of many in a daily life committed to learning & doing. I am no where near perfect or an expert. I do want to show up for the changes I want to see in the world & risk making mistakes along the way though. While me must do the work to free ourselves, I also believe that when our most marginalized are liberated, we all are. That said..
