Dear Creatives of Color, Here’s How I Conquered Society’s Bullies
Photo: Sasha Baz
By: Rocxzie Writes
Society has a sinister way of controlling us.
It dictates what we do, how we do it, and why we do it.
Unfortunately, because of this, our creative reasoning is often manipulated and changed, which shifts our mental state—for the worst.
I once read an article that teaches you how to handle peer pressure.
It focused a lot on having direct conversations with those who are doing the pressuring and taking breaks. It gave some great insight, but it made me think about something:
Peer pressure can be easy to manage and control, but what about societal pressure and how it affects young creatives?
Direct conversations are great, but how do you directly converse with society?
I think this is an important conversation for creatives of color. More importantly, the conversation must focus on putting oneself first.
When someone begins their creative journey, they tend to create that which makes them happy. This journey becomes an outlet that is designed to help release and express on our own terms. However, soon after a creative makes their decorative talents public, we fall victim to society’s wants and needs.
So the question then becomes, how?
How do creatives of color put themselves first and not fall victim to societies bullies?
Here are 5 ways in which I keep my own creative control:
Photo: Erica Jae
1. Develop and Maintain Creative Confidence
Listen. There isn’t one person who can change the way I create. Why? Not because I’m cocky, but because I’m confident. I’m confident in the way I write, the way I paint, the way I dance, the way I photograph. My confidence boosts my creative thought process, therefore limiting a need for change. How confident are you in your craft? Are you confident enough to change what you want and not what society wants?
2. Take a Break
Taking breaks is great, but how you take a break is just as important. Take a creative break from society—but not from yourself. What I mean by that is, do not stop creating just because you stopped taking “orders” or “requests” or “publishing”. Maintain your creative mood and just focus on creating based on how you feel and what’s going to make you happy. Create something for your own home, your own body or for your own appetite. This helps keep you first.
3. Make Like-Minded Friends
Your inner circle plays a major part in your life, whether you know it or not. Sometimes, the negative societal pressure starts from them! If you find that any of your anxiety from pressure is coming from your close friends or family, it may be time to upgrade or reevaluate these relationships. .
4. Communicate Communicate Then, Communicate Some More
You may not be able to have a direct conversation with all of society, but open dialogue with customers, friends, family, and clients can work wonders. You’ll be surprised how much communicating standards and boundaries will help to relieve societal pressure!
5. Happiness First, Money Second
Creative: Rodshaleek Avonti Pino
I know in this day and age, putting the bag on the back burner is easier said than done, but hear me out. As a creative, you did not discover your talent based off of you needing money. Not many people wake up one day and say, “I need money so I’m going to make clothes, paint masterpieces, photograph weddings, teach yoga, or sing on Broadway.” These are talents that most likely began as a hobby, maybe became an outlet, and possibly turned into a source of income, right? Remember, once you introduce money into the equation, the pressure to be perfect increases by a lot. Do not make it so that you confuse your outlet and source of income together. This is why it’s important to take a break as often as possible, as a way to stay grounded.
I began creating for myself and, pretty soon, the pressure from society began to weigh on me. I lost my joy. I lost my passion. I lost my outlet. I soon realized that my talent began to suffer, and I felt as though my protective cover was gone. Creatives of color, it is important for us to remember ourselves first when perfecting our craft when thinking of why we embarked on our creative journey in the first place, and how surrendering to societal standards negatively affects our mental health and artistic work.
Creatives of color, do not allow society to bully you
Do not allow society to make you forget why you began doing what you are doing. Do not allow society to dictate how you take care of yourself utilizing your expressive brilliance. Do not allow society to determine your output. Being a creative of color, there are so many obstacles you already have to push through, and adding on the task of creating for society will most certainly push you over the edge. Falling victim to the concerns of the public can strip away your joy for creating, thus taking away your outlet which can also lead to deterioration of your mental health.
You started for you.
Now keep that same energy.
