Are we a RADICAL business?

First and foremost, we are a fabric thrift business. After that, I’d refer to us as a creative reuse store. The joy of the creative reuse communities is that they are the kind of people that don’t just care about the waste of textiles, but they care about each other and that doesn’t just mean they accept them for who they are but that they LOVE the differences they see in people. A diverse world is a better place to be living in. Diversity and Inclusion allows for artists to live in full expression of themselves.

So what does this have to do with being a “radical” business? Well, I found these 2 adjective definitions from the Oxford dictionary:

1. (especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough.

"a radical overhaul of the existing regulatory framework”

2. advocating or based on thorough or complete political or social change; representing or supporting an extreme or progressive section of a political party.

So that sums it up, yes we ARE a RADICAL business by either definition. And we will always operate as such.

This morning I opened up my Instagram app, against my better judgment and against the boycott that is happening from Jan 19- Jan 26. I had to keep it monitored as we have our Dirty Art Brigade Workshops every week. So although I wasn’t posting about anything other than that, I was still poking around and paying attention. And I got hit with a TON of horrible Christian and Political propaganda. The first of which was a very long “ad” that was just a clip from a newscaster discussing how wrong it is to try to express whatever gender you feel you are. Considering this was 1-2 days after the inauguration, you know it had to be related. And then when I couldn’t take anymore, there were about 4 more ads that were Christian based. I have no problem with people’s desire to believe what they want but when it’s sponsored ad after sponsored ad, it becomes a bit much. I sat there sobbing because I know my siblings that are just trying to go about their daily lives that don’t fit into the binary, are no doubt, going to feel extremely vulnerable. I fear for their lives..

It is distracting me from doing what I need to do to keep this business going. I hope you stick with us through this trying time. I promise not to give up on you if you promise to stay tuned. We ARE doing RADICAL things! Keep up the GOOD work!