about afroindigo

Why?

Culture is what defines a people. It is the blueprint of one’s identity: an expression of who one is and
represents – a unique presence- to the world. Due to historical influences and cultural interactions, it is
not sufficient to simply be/exist. It is a quest and determination to discover who/what one is and learn
about one’s past. It is knowing who one is – knowledge of self, and beyond – worldly knowledge: to
recognize and appreciate the beauty of the world for its art and diversity: what being “cultured” is all
about.

Amidst a world that seeks the production of a monoculture by subordinating and subjugating “other”
cultures to imitate/ape and serve the dominant, there exist a hierarchy of identities/privileges where
light-skinned are treated better and deemed more attractive, beautiful, intelligent, sensitive, preferable;
relatively, darker-skinned folks receive lower pay, deemed criminally prone. As more than 2 in 3 people
are considered part of the darker races, there has developed an industry that seeks to make people
lighter/brighter, if not white: a $10 billion skin-bleaching cream industry. An unnatural phenomenon that
makes the skin sick with carcinogenic chemicals that causes cancer and other ailments to conform to a
temporary better social standard.

Value

As said Garvey, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree
without roots.” Through arts and history, AfroIndigo seeks to promote authenticity by celebrating African
cultures and to connect history and self-identity to counter negative stereotypes about darker-skin color
and combat self-hate, and fight the scourge of skin-bleaching and the stigma of darker-skin.

Purpose

AfroIndigo aims to educate about the culture and change behaviors and social norms amidst people’s
insecurities, doubt and vulnerability. We want to highlight:

• The cultural diversity of different regions in the continent - the Africas, with over 3000 ethnicities and 2000 languages
• People’s sense of beauty and style in their day-to- day life and struggles
• The contributions Africa has made to world cultures.

Through our prints and designs, represented by the color and fabric indigo, we would illustrate Afro/Black
identity, history, politics, culture, art, love and, demystify race as more about a question of geography

Issue Matter

The problem of skin bleaching is not just a personal and cultural issue, but a global phenomenon
adopting many forms. This is a visual representation.
Modern history and culture have been dominated by European hegemony, economically, politically and,
most of all, culturally. The concept of racial differences and categorization was invented to justify the
exploitation and subjugation of the planet and beyond. Yes, human beings may differ but not as a
separate species, more as a result of geography where we develop characteristics and practices to
survive and live in harmony with the elements in our environment. Instead of celebrating our differences
and multiple ways of being, we have accepted "whiteness" as the standard of being (blackness is to be).
One potent effect of oppression is the normalization and internalization of oppressive conditions, to
identify and emulate the oppressor, for some tangible or psychological benefit, at least feel superior to
others (the most despised/darker-skinned other).
The superiority of Whiteness/white supremacy is a juxtaposition to the exploitation and degradation of
Blackness. Thus, to assert Blackness is subversive and counter-hegemonic: Black and Beautiful and
Proud. Blackness is political.
To claim an African identity is necessarily carrying the burdens of European empire and imperialism
across centuries and lands; and embracing the struggle for liberation and human values and civilization
based on equality and various ways of existing, and centering.
Claiming this identity is also to connect the links across distant lands and histories, and identify with all
oppressed people yearning to be free from bondage, fighting to yank the chains from their necks and
imaginations.

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Solution & Action

With AfroIndigo, we seek to:

• Question/problematize “beauty”
• Inspire self-knowledge, social consciousness and pride
• To revel in Arts/Truth/Liberty/Beauty!

We hope to spark a conversation/discourse about Beauty: What value does our society place on physical
appearance, i.e. dark skin vs light skin? What are the symptoms of such standards? Please share your
photos and story! Tell us your story of beauty? (In need of a feminist/womanist moderator!!)

Our vision is to build a program that can be adapted in different countries to create opportunities for girls to grow up confidently and develop into healthy adulthood. According to the women’s rights and gender equality reports, Guinea is one of the worst countries for girls to get an education, as 1 in 4 become underaged brides. Girls are often overworked with house chores and burdened with centuries of traditional practices. Young girls are impressionable and highly susceptible to social influences, vulnerable and preyed upon sexually. We would offer trainings in computer literacy, graphic design, photography and arts, and a safe space to gather and build comradeship. Girls would have access to the printshop to work on projects and campaigns of their choosing. We would also connect the girls with tutors and mentors. And, we would contract with local artisans to procure and produce natural lotions and creams and provide a venue to sell/buy their products. We believe that all girls should have the right to grow and develop, and to have equal opportunity, justice and equity. We believe all girls have the right to self-determination, control of their bodies and futures.