Differences Do Not Divide Us.

This is a story about one of the most incredible, inspiring humans in my life. In the interest of protecting their name, I am going to refer to them as “Nike”. I chose this name because to me it means strength, after the Greek God/Goddess of Strength and they are truly the strongest person I know. From a photographer and a best friend’s perspective, this is an experience that both broke my heart and gave me just a small insight into the experiences of BAME people. This story is so important to tell, and it is a story not only about friendship, but also the realisation of white privilege and how much of the world we are completely blind to. Nike has given me a better perception of the world, to know that I will never understand what they have and will go through in their lives but what I can do is support, love and stand by them.

I walked into my local Starbucks, they were new to the job and I was a regular customer. Honestly, I was expecting the uncertainty of all the new baristas that had come and gone, having them look at me weird when they are told that I have 7 pumps of Chai syrup in my latte. But not Nike, their energy lifted me up from the moment I stepped up to that counter and they asked me my order and name with that huge grin on their face. Now, I used to go to that Starbucks three or four times a day or stay in there for a full seven hours a day (that’s a lot of caffeine). My frequent routine made me so predictable that Nike would have my order made and on the counter as soon as they saw me walk past, knowing it wouldn’t take me long to be there for my caffeine fix.

I was doing my HND Photography course at the time we met, and I was working on a piece about fashion through the ages. Nike’s style was and is INCREDIBLE, they wear what they want without care of what anyone thinks. One day, as they were making my usual order, we were talking about my project. They thought it was a great idea and that is when I finally worked up the courage to ask them to be a part of my work. As we exchanged Instagram handles, I had no idea of the impact they were about to make on my life.

From the moment I first photographed them, they became my muse, my source of inspiration for many projects and years to come.

I had photographed Nike so many times, but this one time was the most heart breaking and most powerful times I had ever pointed my camera at them. I was doing my Final Major Project which was based on people’s experiences with the phrase “You’d Look Prettier If…”. I had done many portraits before theirs and as powerful as the other phrases were, they were what you would expect; if you smiled more, wore more/less make up etc… But the moment they opened their mouth to say what their experience was, I wanted to cry. I held back tears as I just couldn’t understand how someone could say that to this beautiful human sat in front of me. I was filled with all sorts of anger and sadness.

Nike was once told, that they would look prettier if they had lighter skin. I knew from that moment those photographs I took had to be more powerful than ever. It was my job to bring out the confidence in them and show them just how incredibly beautiful of a person they are. I realised then, how I was so blind to the world we lived in, how people still think that it is okay to say this to another human being without fear of consequences. Nike has taught me so much and I will be forever grateful for the wider experiences they have opened me up to.

Racism is a thing I knew happened and have always been against, but my white privilege had awarded me the ability to be blind to the cruel things in this world. I will always have white privilege, but it is my duty to use that to bring to light the injustices caused by racism.

If there is a God, they made us the way we are for a reason, we are all human, we all live on the same earth, and if you believe in the story of Adam and Eve, we are all family.

Skin should not divide us.

Love and respect everyone as you would expect to be loved and respected.