I try to stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready. That great advice came from Nicole Walters, my best friend in my head. What does this have to do with Knitting GG? What did you need to be ready for? Well that is what this blog post is about.
You may have noticed that the blog posting had slowed down a bit. I know you all know that Vogue Knitting Live happened and I still haven’t written about my experience. Let me tell you why. The simple answer is this one…I wasn’t ready.
What are you talking about GG? I know that is what you are thinking. Well about a month ago there was a big explosion in the knitting community around diversity, inclusion and racism. This blog post by Karen Templer, started a much needed conversation about the state of the knitting community.
I voiced my opinion because folks kept asking what I thought. Folks were upset and the attacking began. I was tagged in hundreds of posts saying I was one to follow. As if I was some sort of diversity leader (I am not) I am however, a black woman of a certain age, and as I have written before..the shade of my skin has been an issue ALL of my life. This conversation is not a hot topic for me, it’s my life. If you are following on IG your probably read it, if not I said this…
“I read it. People need to learn to apologize. PERIODšš¾ POINT šš¾BLANKšš¾ if you step on my toe and I say you hurt me, who are you to question the level of my pain? Just because you didnāt āintendā to hurt me doesnāt make it any less painful. I think if we first acknowledge the impact of our actions vs. immediately making excuses, the conversation can continueĀ
The conversation ran through the community like wild fire, folks became defensive, folks were attacking those that they didn’t agree with..it was just a crazy time.
In an effort to answers some questions and explain some things. Kristy Glass invited me, Louis (Brooklyn Boy Knits) Felicia (owner of String Thing Studios) and Cecilia (Creativececi) to have an open discussion. It’s lengthy but worth it, in my opinion.
As a result of all of this, thousands of folks are now getting to know me and VKL felt like they were all there. For the first time ever I was overwhelmed. I went from a little over 9.6K followers to 20K in a month!! My mind is blown away.
I have made so many new fiber friends from all walks of life and I love it! I don’t like all the negativity, but I am super pleased with all the exposure for folks that would have never been known. That exposure includes me and I am still adjusting to all the comments and private messages. People are willing to be open to folks that are different and that is all that matters. This ice is thick and it’s deep; together we can chip away the racial divides.
I will be back soon with a proper Vogue Knitting Live update as well as share my new pin š Knit on my fiber friends…knit on
GG
As always GG, I enjoy your blogs, all social media platforms etc. Open discussions always bring awareness and unity.
Continue being you! Keep bringing that beautiful smile and all that orange glow.
Thank you!!
I love your blog and how you add so much of yourself to everything and everyone you meet. If it includes orange yarn then it’s all the better. Stay strong and thank you for stepping out into the front lines in your own way.
Thank you!!
I am so grateful that the original post happened. Because I have learned so much. I run from confrontation. I cringe when someone is mistreated but am so afraid of confrontation that I have allowed others to run over me most of my life. I am still not good at standing up for me. But I learned through all of this, that if I keep silent, I am part of the problem. I am saying its okay. I remember 14 years ago, my husband and I were in a bar, just hanging out, and we were talking to this really nice couple when some jerk interrupts us and tells my husband. You don’t have to talk to them, there are plenty of your kind in the bar. My husband responded with, “No thanks, seems like these are the only folks here worth talking to.” He apologized to the couple we were talking to as the jerk stomped off.
30 years ago I met the first person in my life that was openly ugly towards someone because of the color of their skin, and I didn’t understand. A few years later, I realized my family was worse. They were to your face tolerant, but thought differently. I was appalled by both.
And then, I did the tests from Harvard. And I found that I have some unconscious bias as well. Mine is I don’t see women as professionals. Which could be why I have always struggled to have a career. I have learned so much about who I want to continue to grow into. And for that, I have you to thank. I started following you some time back, but this drama put you back in my news feed regularly, and helped me be a better version of me.
So thank you, GG. I am sorry that your pain resulted in gifts for me, but I am also very grateful.
Thanks for reading and responding! More importantly thank you for being here
i am grateful for this conversation! i especially found the definitions helpful.
i found you because of a conversation i saw on instagram. i STAYED because you are kind and funny and you feel like a friend.
Thanks for being here
Just chiming in to say how happy it makes me to see your beautiful self and your gorgeous orange creations (my most favorite color!)
As you say, that ice is awful thick and way too many of us donāt even recognize itās there.
Hi!! Thank you for reading
GG, your IG post was on point correct. Apologies are a selfless and reflective way to acknowledge has affected and/or hurt the other person, not to justify our own actions. As with personal relationships–an apology that starts with the word ‘If’ is NOT an apology. Period.
GG, go ahead. You keep doing what you been doing, get yourself ready!–and let God keep blessing your work.
Thank you!!
I always enjoy reading your blogs. Please keep them up. I’m sure I’ve said some dumb things to friends in the past. Ignorance is no excuse, no matter the intent. Love you.
Thank you!
Gaye, Thank You for the intense video conversation with your friends on the issue of race & racism.
I did post yesterday when I first found the video on YouTube. Do you know why I clicked on that link? I didn’t even pay attention to the video text description! It was seeing a group of people with a a diverse inclusion of color grasping hands in unity!
I am grateful to you & your friends for taking the time to have this conversation! It is STILL so necessary to keep the dialogue open. Difference from self due to our upbringing, geographical location, etc… cause an isolationist point if view. It is SO IMPORTANT for our society to recognize the NECESSITY of INCLUSION into our lives. You & your friends, from LOVE, built a bridge taking the time to educate US. The “COLORWORK” needs to continue, one strand at a time. The tapestry created is more glorious.
PS. What brings me joy? ORANGE!
What brings me calm? ORANGE!
That strand we DO share!
With Love,
Kent
Hi Kent!! Thank you for this message! I needed to read it just now. Hugs
Gaye, Thank You for the intense video conversation with your friends on the issue of race & racism.
I did post yesterday when I first found the video on YouTube. Do you know why I clicked on that link? I didn’t even pay attention to the video text description! It was seeing a group of people with a a diverse inclusion of color grasping hands in unity!
I am grateful to you & your friends for taking the time to have this conversation! It is STILL so necessary to keep the dialogue open. Difference from self due to our upbringing, geographical location, etc… cause an isolationist point if view. It is SO IMPORTANT for our society to recognize the NECESSITY of INCLUSION into our lives. You & your friends, from LOVE, built a bridge taking the time to educate US. The “COLORWORK” needs to continue, one strand at a time. The tapestry created is more glorious.
PS. What brings me joy? ORANGE!
What brings me calm? ORANGE!
That strand we DO share!
With Love,
Kent
I fell in love with you, your daughter, and your pup during Vlogmas. Seriously, you and the pup arguing over mail sounds like me and mine, and yes I get back talked to all the time from her! I also blame Ms Kristy, Ms Dani, and Ms Ceci for introducing your world to me around Rhinebeck time. I am in for the Long haul, thick and thin, easy and difficult, doesn’t matter. Your smile brightens my day when I see you on. One day I am heading North to Rhinebeck, I will park my Walker on or at least near the hill and I will get to meet so many people in person and get hugs from as many as possible! šš Keep working on it, when you are ready, we will be here with open arms and smiles! IG: sabah.dassa
Awww thank you! I would love to meet you!
New follower here who is thrilled to have found you <3. Thank you for agreeing to take part in what must be an exhausting conversation for you. I pray that the fiber community will step up to be what I have always believed it to be– generous, compassionate, and fundamentally kind. If any group can lead the way in this conversation, I have to believe it is us– knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, dyers.
Thanks for being here
Thank you for being here
Hi Miss GG, my name is Altha Conley and I’m a big fan of yours. I watch you videos on your love of knitting chunky yarn. And since I was a new self taught knitter. That was right up my all. I just wanted to say that with all praise to God. I will be able to do my one of my favorite things to do.
You see prior to 1/28/19. I felt just fine health wise. But on that date I was at work and was suddenly unable walk. I was rushed to the hospital emergency. To discover that my muscles were deteriorating and that was causing my kidneys to fail. In other words I was dieing. But the Lord put arms around his child and said not my child. I’m on the mend and on my way to rehab therapy.
I feel like the Lord, wonderfully talented and caring physicians, and my determination and watching my favorite knitter, crocheted and jewelry maker video friends. Love you all. Forgive the typeo’s still working on getting my fingers back.
Iām praying that you continue to progress
I am late posting, but I loved, loved this! Knitters are an awesome group, and thank you for hosting this discussion.
Wow! I forgot about this one thank you for reading