A few years ago I became aware of a knitting group out of Austin, Texas called Knitta Please. The group vandalizes public spaces with knitted creations (this act is known as "yarnbombing") under the guise of public art. I have been offended by their name and every aspect of their marketing from the beginning. If you don't know, their name is a play on the racial pejorative "Ni**er" and the phrase "Ni**er, please." The rest of their marketing usurps urban hip-hop culture. Did I say that the founders of this group are young, white women from Texas? Knitta, Please represents cultural appropriation at its finest.
I've shared my views with friends outside of the craft movement, but have always been hesitant to voice my opinions publicly. I now feel the need to put my voice out there to support two intelligent crafty bloggers of color that have recently done so. I could never have put the argument and subsequent call to action out there as eloquently as Alexis of One Grand Home has or expressed my desire for an open dialogue as well as Shannon of Rifferaff/Make It has - so please click the links and go read their posts.
Perhaps the members of Knitta Please are talented knitters. However, there is no reason to bring a terrible legacy of hatred and intolerance into their creative art - which by itself is a daring and fairly compelling endeavor. Their name needlessly stains their creations and actions with the poison of a racial insult.
The group's popularity and lack of public discourse before this week demonstrates an insidious insistance on believing the "post-racial America" myth. Let me clear that up for you: it is not okay to play on the word "Ni**er" because we have a bi-racial president. Our country has a long way to go before race and racial epithets no longer matter.
Imagine them sitting across from a person of color - be it a reporter, a fellow artist, or a member of the general public - and explaining their name. Perhaps they are so gangsta' that it wouldn't be a problem to tell a black person "it's a play on the phrase "Ni**er, please," because we think it's cool." For me, those are still fighting words.
If you are looking for some crafty fun on this chilly, rainy Sunday check out the Intergalatic Bead Show at the Richmond Raceway Complex. The bead show has always been pretty good...I've never walked out with nothing! Oh - and don't forget copies of your VA resellers license if you have one. Vendors give tax discounts and other discounts to professionals. The show is open until 5pm. See you there today!
Necklace by Lark Studio with sterling findings from bead show
Yes, yes, I know I'm no longer a member of the Richmond Craft Mafia. However, I do like a good show and I do like to support great organizations!
The Richmond Craft Mafia is pleased to announce it is collaborating with GayRVA.com to bring you a fabulous holiday event. The Divine Design and Craft Boutique, is a holiday gallery to benefit the Gay Community Center of Richmond (GCCR). You’ve probably seen or even visited the GCCR and not even realized it: Diversity Thrift, Thursday night Diversity Bingo, and the GCCR Gallery all share space in the rainbow-bedecked building on Sherwood Avenue, right by The Diamond. Please visit us during the opening reception Friday, November 13, 7-9pm for some great shopping for a great cause.
Opening reception: Friday, November 13th , 7:00-9:00pm
Gallery open daily: November 14-December 6
Location: Gay Community Center of Richmond
1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220
804-622-4646
Having a bit of a cheat day with NaBloWriMo. Check out one of my new favorites.
Today is election day in Virginia. Make sure you go and cast your vote.
For the past several years, LINC (Legal Information Network for Cancer) has hosted a handbag auction here in Richmond to raise money for their organization. This year's event is this Thursday November 5th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the new Westin Richmond Hotel. General admission tickets are only $25 and gets you plenty of tasty treats, cash bar, and an official auction number so you can bid on one of around 100 stylish, creative handbags.
LINC is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families deal with the financial and legal side effects that arise from the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Through its network of volunteer attorneys and other professionals, LINC helps cancer patients understand the intricacies of health insurance, protect their jobs, secure disability benefits, arrange for care and custody of children, forestall debt collection efforts, and plan for the future by drafting wills, powers of attorney and advance medical directives. Even if cancer hasn't directly affected you, I'm sure we all know someone who has been hit with this terrible disease. The work that LINC does is so essential to those who are navigating our current health care and legal systems while trying to focus on beating the disease. So please, grab your best girlfriends and make an evening of it by supporting the auction! Even if you don't bid, the event is very exciting and lots of fun.
And if that wasn't enough to get you to come out - Lark Studio has donated a bag to the event! Our Urban Tote Bag is made from a recycled vinyl banner from The Science Museum of Virginia. The bag is fully lined in durable black denim and bidding starts at only $45. I will have some additional goodies for whomever wins the bid on the bag!
You can purchase General Admission or Premium Party Passes online at http://www.cancerlinc.org. See you there!
November is National Blog Posting Month or NaBloPoMo for short. During this month the goal is to blog everyday, including weekends, to help set the habit of blogging. Needless to say I 've gotten out of the habit a bit, but I'm participating in NaBloPoMo again this year to get back in the habit. If you are a blogger, consider joining in. Marathon blogging is a very good excercise and it can be quite fun! Feel free to leave a comment with a link to your blog if you do.
Day 1 of the craft challenge went well. Not a ton of production, but lots of preparation. I did finish the 2nd tea towel pillow and got the tops done on my Monopoly pillows.
The game board fabric pieces came from the last fabric swap I attended at Fleur Fabrics. I did get the fabric for the pillow backs washed and dried so those will be finished today. Yesterday also included a leisurely and productive trip to the craft store. More on that tomorrow!
What things did you get accomplished yesterday?