Intersectional Environmentalism

The crafting community has always been a source of inspiration for me, both creatively and politically. It's often in my online worlds that I hear the first rumblings of dissidence, whether it be the recent Black Lives Matter protests, ongoing discussions about fatphobia and size discrimination or info gleaned from sewing influencers on transphobia and LGBTQAI+ issues.

As a white, heterosexual, cis gendered, able bodied, size privileged person, I'm embarrassed to say that I've lived most of my life unaware of a lot of these problems in society but these past 18 months the online sewing and knitting worlds have really helped open my eyes and start me down a path towards better understanding.
I've been reading a lot about intersectional environmentalism (IE), a movement set up by Leah Thomas, an environmental activist. From their mission statement, IE is "an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices happening to marginalized communities and the earth are interconnected. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and does not minimize or silence social inequality. Intersectional environmentalism advocates for justice for people + the planet."

My business already stands for sustainability and minimising our impact on the planet. I want my business to also be a force for good for people in the world and to help get me started on this path, I've opened a new section in my shop entitled 'Sewcial Justice'. Here, I'll be selling products made for sewists by other makers and 100% of the profits will go to a charity associated with that product, to help lift up, support and give back to those less fortunate.