There has been a lot to take in these last few weeks. But as I say that, it sounds naive: this hasn’t been going on only these past few weeks. Racism has always been very much an issue here in Canada, as it has been in the US. We often think that, as Canadians, we’re above racism. We’re not. It’s taken this movement, these protests, these call to actions, to wake a lot of us up. Myself most definitely included.
As someone who works in the wellness industry, I’m well aware that it is a primarily white space. When I close my eyes and think of influencers in the wellness world, I’m met with a sea of blonde, white women sipping on green smoothies. A description that, and the irony is not lost on me, also includes me.
I’ve known for a long time that there’s a lot of privilege in this industry–it’s an industry made of white, thin, affluent, straight cis women. (If this is new information for you, I recommend reading this article “Does Our Obsession With Wellness Ignore The Fact That Self-Care Is A Privilege?”)
In fact, as a member of the queer community, it has long frustrated me to see a monotony of people that all look the same, and live the same way. The lack of diversity in wellness is alienating for one thing: it creates only one narrative. It shows only one model for health.
I’m not an expert on this subject (although you can bet this has pushed me to do better and learn more). Thankfully, there are lots of people who are (I’ve linked some of them down below). But I recognize that in the past I’ve been complacent about the lack of diversity. I’ve talked about it, offline, I’ve wanted things to be different. But I haven’t actively pushed for things to be different.
I think that stems from an insecurity: that I don’t know what I’m talking about. That I’m not the right person to be talking about this. But it’s that exact attitude that perpetuates racism. We act like it doesn’t exist. We act like we don’t see it.
If you feel overwhelmed right now, like you don’t know what to say, or you feel uncomfortable, I think now is the time to lean into that. You feel uncomfortable because you recognize something is wrong. Something needs to change. You feel uncomfortable because you understand that you may be part of the problem, even though you never intended to be.
I’m still very much learning about next steps to take. There is so much I don’t know.
But here’s what I do know.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to make wellness more inclusive, is to add diversity to your social feeds. Listen to voices that are different than yours, to experiences and opinions that don’t match your own. Give your support–your engagement, your dollars.
It’s great that we live in a world where we can find 10 people on Instagram who are just like us and we absolutely relate to. But social media also allows us to connect with people who aren’t like us, to connect with their stories and to learn more.
There is no one healthy body type. And wellness isn’t just for the elite. It isn’t just about superfood powders and expensive fitness classes. Self-care is going to look different based on your socio-economic background–what you can afford, what you have access to, your community, your culture. There are so many influential forces.
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How To Self-Care During Self-Isolation
Why Being Thin Didn’t Help Me Love My Body
Sexual Fluidity: It’s Not Just Gay and Straight
It’s my hope that I can do better (I’m starting with this workbook on Diversity that you can get here), so that I can show up more informed and help foster a wellness space that embodies inclusion and diversity.
In the meantime, I’ve compiled some resources–a list of badass influencers who are changing the game, and some articles that touch on the topic of racism and diversity in the wellness space.
If this is all new to you, here are some articles to get you started:
Wellness Has A Race Problem | SELF
Does Our Obsession With Wellness Ignore The Fact That Self-Care Is A Privilege | THE ESTABLISHMENT
12 Queer Women + Non-Binary People In Wellness You Should Know About | BUSTLE
Wellness Should Be More Inclusive | BONAPPETIT
Wellness Industry Racism | THE HEALTHY MAVEN
Influences Making Wellness More Inclusive | SELF
Black Owned + Founded Wellness Brands | MINDBODYGREEN
WELLNESS INFLUENCERS YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT
FOODHEAVEN | Wendy + Jess, RDs
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BLACK GIRL IN OM | Lauren Ash
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SWEET POTATO SOUL | Jenné Claiborne
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Rachel Ricketts
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Maryam Ajayi (Founder of Dive In Well)
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If you feel there is something you’d like to be seeing on The Nourished Mind, please reach out (tisha@thenourishedmind.ca). Let’s create a dialogue. Let’s create an inclusionary space that seeks wellness for all.
With love,
i believe culture and environment are the factor required to pay attention for wellness of life.