[thebelleejar-blog]

Afropunk London

I have waited for Afropunk to touch base in London since my trip to New York . I stayed in Brooklyn and Afropunk was the vibe of the city, people with big afros, tribal make-up and the most glorious outfits I have ever seen! I was so ready to see this in my hometown.

A whole year of hearing the rumours circulate, a whole year of watching Brooklyn and Paris celebrate their blackness and a whole year of jacked up anti-blackness that made me crave a positive black space. AFROPUNK London soon come!

So finally it was announced and except the M.I.A BS (yeah that was a mess), I knew the whole of London was patiently awaiting September so we could stunt and shows the world our identity.

The pre-party was the perfect start to the weekend ahead. Jay Boogie and that body was almost a better treat than the following Saturday - I say almost but, I mean it kinda was.

So Saturday  I wake up, full of excitement. I braid my hair, throw on an outfit (I really wish I planned something - next year though). The walk up to Alexander Palace was LONG, it tested my thighs and by the time I hit the top of the hill there was no setting spray in the world that would have kept my make-up in place. Note to AP: Next year try an outdoor space. I waited (for a while)  for my press pass and was let loose on AP London.

I will keep this as basic as possible. Jorja Smith was a dream, Loyle Carner is very special and SZA is the big homie. Asides from the cultural appropriation (tell your allies to chill), the girl that tried to touch my hair...ummm did you know where you were and the off-ish sound system (not going to lie SZA's whimsical tones were lost).It was a beautiful event full of beautiful people, positive vibes and London we can be proud to say we showed up.

AFROPUNK I LOVE YOU! Here's to next year xx

[thebelleejar-blog]

WOC-C (Women of Colour Crush)

Julia Sarr-jamois @sarrjamois Senior Fashion editor of i-D magazine i-D’s Senior fashion editor can always be seen stunting. Example 1 – Did anyone see the Chloe SS16 show? (if yes) Then you know how amazing it was. I could barely tear my eyes away. Except for one woman Julia, sat front row in a red leather jacket and her powerful afro. Her signature style of bright colours and prints with Vuitton never too far, is a standout a truly original.

[thebelleejar-blog]

How I feel about the tampon tax.

Fuck me for having a uterus.

George Osborne is planning on using the £15million raised in the UK for tampon tax and funding it into domestic violence services. Now you may think this is a fair deal (if you’re ignorant) but when did it become appropriate in our society for women to fund their own domestic abuse?

Women who are being raped have to pay for their own counselling through taxes they pay on tampons. As Sisters Uncut would say, they cut we bleed – quite literally. Domestic abuse is not a women’s problem, it’s everyone’s problem. Taxation to women’s products to fund such issues is just idiotic and sexist.

PERIODS ARE AN UNAVOIDABLE BIOLOGICAL EVENT

Cuts to women’s services are leaving women who sought out refuge unable to do so. Last year alone funding for women’s shelters dropped by 80%. This is money that should never have been cut in the first place. The mere thought of this women-only tax being the solution to this issue is the definition of austerity – and guess what? Austerity kills.  

How can we strive towards gender equality when we as women are still deemed as second-class citizens? Why are we allowing our daughters to grow up with the ideology that domestic abuse is a women’s only issue?

Sign the petition here For more info click here