I am a fashion blogger. More specifically, I am a personal style blogger. The reason I have a following is, more or less, because people like to see what I wear, and how I go about documenting that.
Needless to say, pretty clothes are not the only thing I care about. Clothes have given me a platform, and that platform gives me the opportunity to reach, literally, tens of thousands of people, on any issue I want. That is not to say that there is no value in talking about clothes, in liking make-up, or being interested in fashion, but when the rest of the world is (and I racked my brain for a more polite synonym) an utter shitshow, I want to talk about it, and I want to use the platform I have to discuss, to inform, and to give opinion.
In light of recent events, ‘the pressure of the platform’ is something I have been giving more thought than usual to. ‘Our country’ has just made the monumentally life-changing (and arguably life-ruining) decision to leave the European Union, following a campaign based on hate and intolerance in a referendum that should never have happened; the economy is consequently going to the dogs; non-Brits (and in particular people of colour) are victim to abuse along the lines of ‘we voted out, go back to your own country’ being yelled at them in the street; and it is impossible to feel happy about David Cameron’s resignation for fear of who might replace him. I, along with many fashion and beauty bloggers, held nothing back when it came to publishing the fact that I was passionately pro-EU via Twitter and Instagram. Many other bloggers kept completely quiet, many expressed the importance of voting but remained impartial, some even openly admitted to the fact that they would not be voting and wrote about their distain for normally pretty and aspirational Instagram being ‘ruined’ by ‘overnight politicians’ (although that is another blood boiling issue altogether).
It is very difficult to know who has the right attitude. Do people listen when I talk about politics? Have people unfollowed me for it? Have more people become new followers because of it? Should the extent of my writing on ‘issues’ at least loosely relate to fashion, like these essays? Should I stay in my lane and just write about shoes? Moreover, are people with large followings who don’t post about politics or social issues somehow at fault? Am I at fault for not talking about things enough, or in enough depth?
I imagine, or at least I hope, that I am preaching to the converted with most things that I say; I imagine that the majority of my followers are relatively ~woke~ of their own accord, many probably more so than I am (and I am not trying to declare myself as any kind of expert). I also think, because this is absolutely something that affects me as a reader and follower of bloggers and other forms of (sorry) influencer, that my talking about ‘issues’ encourages people who follow me to take a keener interest in whatever I am talking about. As far as I am concerned, the more important discourse I can encourage and participate in, the better.
There is a pressure to use your platform. That is not to say that everybody with a platform should be required to pass comment on absolutely everything that happens in the world, however I do think that there is now, more than ever, an expectation of anybody with a level of influence to use that positively. Whether that is through self-help style motivational blog posts, political campaigning, or a feminist message, when you have the opportunity to make a positive difference it is almost irresponsible to not inform yourself and use that in some way.
if you would like to follow me on Twitter, you can do so @hannahlouisef
Think you should write about whatever you like on your platform, also think it gets people talking about it, which is just as important. I am 32 and my early 20’s there wasn’t so much social to be able to listen an talk to other people other than those you knew! An excuse as to why I didn’t? maybe but politics is important and think all platforms give more people the chance to discuss it.
http://www.thewonderlanders.com
Hannah I think you should definitely use your platform to discuss these issues (not just ones that relate to fashion). Young people are now so politically minded, but they don’t like engaging with traditional politics, which is why it is important to talk and encourage discussion so they don’t feel like their isn’t a place for them or their views. Discussion and education are the only way people can develop opinions, become more open minded, and help drive forward positive change. Not listening to each other and living in a bubble has caused so much of the split in the UK.
I don’t think there is a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ on whether you should encourage people towards your point of view, or just encourage discussion/voting but stay neutral. I think that is up to what the individual feels comfortable with. You should be able to say what you want, it is your blog. I certainly wouldn’t unfollow someone for being politically active.
What is ‘wrong’ is people complaining about their instagram or fb feed being ruined – WTF! They might choose not to post about politics, but does that mean others can’t? They might not want to be politically engaged or express their views, but now other people should be shamed for doing so? This is how people feel marginalised, and like it is ‘wrong’ to share their opinions, or that politics isn’t right for them. This Brexit vote has life-changing consequences for EVERYONE in the UK, ignoring that is – to be frank – ignorant. The worst thing would be for younger people to think ‘oh so-and-so big blogger/influencer thinks politics is stupid, so maybe I should to’, that would be a very sad place to arrive at.
I love that you use your platforms to talk about politics, I think bloggers have the potential to inspire a lot of young people who are politically disengaged to become politically active and aware of certain issues. I think the result of Brexit would have been a lot different if more young people used social media to discuss the referendum and promote the importance of voting
http://emmaodonnell.blogspot.ie/
I love your twitter feed and blog so much and the fact that you are unafraid to speak about current affairs and politically themed topics on the platform you have gained, sharing your honest opinion without fear of being disagreed with. I think it is definitely great to see bloggers like you who have an interest in fashion and other things of the like, as well as politics, proving that they aren’t mutually exclusive, nor does a passion for one take away from a persons validity to speak of the other. I’m 16 and many young people, myself included can fall into the trap of feeling politics is non interesting and not for us, but when spoken about by people who we can relate to, i think that at the very least it has the potential to encourage a dialogue or even thinking about a given topic (the eu referendum for example.. still getting over that btw)
basicallyzaynab.blogspot.co.uk
I totally agree with you on what you said and how bloggers use their platform! We should be talking about politics regardless what kind of blog we have, at the end of the day that stuff this concerns us!
Great post,
Kinga x
http://www.rockthisrunway.co.uk/
I couldn’t agree more, I think it’s so important to use platforms such as twitter and insta to talk and discuss about all things that affect us. The EU referendum is a HUGE deal that will have a monumental impact on our generation and those to come, so the fact that people unfollowed or complained about you discussing it is insane. If anything more people need to be willing to discuss and take part in social & political topics, and what better way to do that then through your blog and social media platforms? Talk about what you want, write about what you want! I always love reading your essays 🙂 x
Summer, The Twins Wardrobe