In the midst of Black Lives Matter protests across the globe, the owner of local calligraphy business, The Amyverse, has started making and selling prints and t-shirts to help fundraise for the movement.
Last week, we interviewed Amy Goble, the company’s founder, about her business. This week, we are highlighting the work she’s doing to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Goble shared a statement expressing her perspective on the movement:
“I understand that my skin is white and with that comes privilege. I will never know the racism and discrimination faced, but that does not mean I cannot do anything. We must challenge this and do something about it. We must educate ourselves, we need to advocate and amplify the voices that need to be heard. We need to spread awareness, support, donate (if we can), sign petitions and not stay silent.”
She also explained why and how she decided to get involved:
“As a calligrapher, I love that I can create pieces of art to express a powerful message. I have created these pieces as my response to what is happening. I started with the quote ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor’ by Desmond Tutu, as initially when I saw what was happening in the US, I was not sure what to say or do. I waited to say anything for fear of saying the wrong thing. This is part of the problem. This quote really resonated with me, as it made me realise that by being silent, I cannot make a difference. It is when we make noise and stand up for things, that is when it will change.”
Amy continued:
“The second piece, I made in a bolder and striking style to convey the important message, enough is enough.
“I was thinking about how I could make a difference now. I have ordered books to help educate myself, so that I can understand better, have difficult conversations and help to make the change I want to see. I also decided that I would create these pieces as prints and t-shirts with all profits being donated to blacklivesmatter.com.
“I don’t normally make political products, but this isn’t a political issue, it’s a human issue. I really wanted there to be an ethically made t-shirt. These t-shirts are printed on 100% organic cotton in a renewable energy factory and posted plastic-free.”
The t-shirts are available here and the print is available for purchase here.
Click here to find more ways to get involved with and learn about the Black Lives Matter movement.
All Images: © Amy Goble