Maxwell Osbourne Charges The Fashion Industry To Support #BLM

In an open letter posted by W Magazine, Maxwell Osbourne, one half of Public School, calls on the fashion industry to join the Black Lives Matter movement.

Osbourne said he’s been inspired by the 30year-old movement since its inception and at 33-years-old, he participated in his first peaceful protest. After sitting at his desk contemplating how he could as a designer contribute, he found his answer.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I was immediately taken back by the camaraderie. Everybody, a big melting pot of people reflective of the city they call home, seemed proud to be there. We were all standing together, side by side, a bunch of strangers chanting the same thing: Black. Lives. Matter.” Maxwell wrote.

Osbourne then touches on an issue that plagues not only his industry, but most people: the idea that there’s not much you can do on your own but do your job.

“You’ll want to throw your hands in the air and resign yourself to the easy crutch that there’s little for us to do from our perch in the comfortable seat of fashion except make clothes. But I write this open letter to encourage the fashion industry to not just continue the dialogue of race in America, but to do something about it.”

As his letter continues, he reminds the reader and the industry that foraying into support for the Black Lives Matter movement wouldn’t be their first collective step for a cause. The fashion industry has been a long support of breast cancer and HIV/AIDS awareness through designs, shows, and even press. As Osbourne requests, the industry has ample opportunity to diversify their campaigns and runways, raise awareness, use their massive social media followings to incite discussion. He asks that the not forget about the young black men and women of tomorrow.

“It is far easier to hate than to love, but what Black Lives Matter taught me is that you can only be silent for so long before you feel parts of yourself die.”

Read the entire letter here.