Fatima’s story originally appeared in up + rising, a celebration of extraordinary Black voices, and is the first chapter of i-D’s 40th anniversary issue (1980-2020).
i-D chronicled over 100 activists and artists, musicians and writers, photographers and creatives, in Atlanta, Baltimore, Minneapolis, LA, London, New York, Paris and Toronto.
“As a young Black queer woman on the frontlines in America, I often grapple with the fact I am fighting racism, sexism, biphobia and misogynoir simultaneously. This fight for me began with Trayvon Martin. However, you never think it will hit home. When my friend Islan Rose (Nettles), a Black transwoman, was murdered in front of a police precinct in Harlem by cis-het Black men I’d attended high school with, I was compelled to ensure all Black lives were protected. I sincerely hope more cis-het identifying Black men step up and protect our community. It is not enough to just march and advocate and fight for George Floyd. Breonna Taylor’s killers are still free. Tony McDade’s killers are still free.
The fight for Black liberation encompasses religion, gender and sexual freedom without harm to others. Protest and marching in the streets were only Phase 1 of this social pandemic. Phase 2, we march to the polls. We as a generation must be more cognisant of who we allow to represent us on a local and state level. The race for Presidency is not the only time we should exercise our constitutional right. Lastly, for Phase 3 we hold our elected officials accountable. We make them keep their word and present public policies and policy reforms to continue the great democracy America can truly be. The work is long. It began in 1619 when the first 20 slaves came to America, we have come very far but still have a long way to go.”
Credits
Photography Douglas Segars
Styling Milton Dixon
Hair Latisha Chong and LaMesha Mosely using Bumble and bumble.
Make-up T. Cooper at crowdMGMT using FACE Atelier.
Photography assistance William Takahashi, Fallou Seck, Shen Williams-Cohen and Laerke Rose Moellegaard.
Styling assistance Devante Rollins and Theresa Miriam.
Hair assistance Safiya Wiltshire.
Production Yohan Yoon.
Special thanks Please Space BK.
Casting director Samuel Ellis Scheinman for DMCASTING.
Casting assistance Alexandra Antonova.