Black Lives Matter
A letter to my team, my clients, my colleagues and myself.
As a white woman and white business owner, I acknowledge my inherent privilege in American society. Based on my limited experience and understanding, I can only imagine the generational trauma that my Black neighbors endure. Systematic oppression, structural violence and inequality benefits white Americans. I have benefitted from these ugly systems because of the color of my skin. I have been afforded opportunities and my life has been fundamentally safer because I am white.
My whole life I have had the privilege of tuning out the continued suffering and state-sanctioned murders of Black America. This is deeply disturbing. I now understand that my silence is complacency and this stops now.
The suffering of my Black neighbors due to systematic injustice on an unimaginable scale makes my heart hurt. I personally feel the fear and psychological effects of simply being an American during these difficult times. It is incomprehensible that people are forced to live with this deeply rooted suffering daily, year in, and year out.
I acknowledge that personally and in my business, that I have been part of the problem. I have contributed to maintaining a system that does not support the values that I strive to achieve.
I would like to apologize to my Black clients and colleagues for failing you. I recognize that implicit bias runs deep in America and that it is my responsibility to unlearn societally learned racism. I must not only be anti-racist but I must unlearn prejudice. Ignoring racism is not an option. I will no longer perpetuate the disservice of staying silent and colorblind.
Furthermore, I understand that education is my work. And while on my journey, I will strive to be a better advocate without being even more emotionally taxing to the Black community.
I care deeply about our Nina Lily family, including our employees, clients and collaborators. Nina Lily Photography must stay true to our values including: love, connection, heritage, legacy and respect.
It is my desire and commitment to provide a safe and supportive environment for our Nina Lily family, especially our Black family. By acknowledging my white privilege, listening to my Black neighbors and educating myself, I hope to be an ally to my community in words and actions. I will continue to prove that Nina Lily Photography is a great business and I will use my influence to lobby for change. I will continue to spread the values of love, respect and legacy by telling authentic stories.
As the owner of Nina Lily Photography, I am ready to be part of the solution to racism in the wedding industry, my community and my country. My work will involve being inclusive and intentional, listening with an open heart to the Black community, educating myself about the trauma experienced by Black Americans and supporting my Black colleagues and clients. I will continue to document stories about family to the best of my ability, striving to see the world with more than my white lens.
I will fail. I will hold myself accountable when I fail and I will offer myself grace so that I can try again. I will keep showing up to work towards equal opportunity and equal justice because everyone deserves safety, health and the right to live free from racism.
Love, Christina