No need to reinvent the wheel. We should ask the same when it comes to African products and services. Shout out to @tradingblak for doing this groundwork. #Repost @tradingblak ・・・ So you want to buy blak?⠀ ⠀ Sounds easy right? ⠀ ⠀ Well let me tell you it’s a hard space to navigate if you aren’t doing your research and finding out exactly where your products come from. ⠀ ⠀ As Aboriginal people we are facing a wide range of challenges as we try to seek and secure the future for our people, communities, and future generations. ⠀ ⠀ In seeking to create sustainable communities economically, socially, and politically, we need to continue to develop ways to circulate financial resources as frequently as possible within our communities, rather than see the money used at other businesses outside the community.⠀ ⠀ There are loads of non-Indigenous businesses who are taking up space and who use and exploit our culture and people to only benefit themselves. These businesses are not interested in ensuring a strong and fruitful future for us so here’s buying blak 101: “if it’s not blak, put it back”.⠀ ⠀ Before you purchase ask some questions (then at least you can make an informed decision), here’s a few that we like to ask: ⠀ ⠀ 🖤 Is this business 100% Aboriginal owned? ⠀ 💛 How do you give back to the Aboriginal community (if not Aboriginal owned)⠀ ♥️ How are you accountable to the Aboriginal community?⠀ 🖤 How many of your employees are Aboriginal? ⠀ 💛 Why are you trading in Aboriginal culture? (again, if not Aboriginal owned)⠀ ⠀ And of course it’s absolutely perfectly fine to ask the same question we all get asked as cultural protocol,⠀ ♥️ Who’s your mob? ⠀ ⠀ We ask these questions so we know our people aren’t being exploited. Please note: these questions are not bulletproof and businesses can still have unethical practices by community standards even if they are able to answer the questions, but it’s a start. If you don’t feel satisfied by the answers then find another Aboriginal business that does.⠀ ⠀ #tradingblak #aboriginalowned #supportblakbusinesses https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBkVANjaD_/?igshid=1q5mipo0ogthx
