NCSF Asks Chaneé: What would you like to see the Leather, kink, and polyamory communities do to support polyamory awareness and polyamorous people?
As a Black polyamorous educator and influencer who has been doing this work for almost a decade, I am ecstatic about the fact that Polyamory is gaining media representation, and starting to become recognized as a valid relational choice; I am largely disappointed with the monolithic depiction of polyamory in the media, and the way that non-White creators with smaller platforms but more lived experience are being treated within our community. Polyamory is NOT just for White hippies who want to live on a commune, live a plant-based diet, and homeschool. Polyamorous configurations exist besides the tired trope of one cishet White man with two bisexual women.
We need more diverse polyamorous representation, desperately. Despite what the media would have you believe, polyamory is not one-size-fit all. People with privilege- specifically White people- have a responsibility to do everything they can to alter the way polyamory is represented in the media. Support is a verb, and here are some actionable items that non-POCs can do to contribute to more diverse conversations around polyamory.
1). Share your platforms: Your following is a result of your privilege (racial, socio-economic, educational, etc) , and you should be using it to uplift POC creators.
What this looks like: Invite Black & POC educators to collaborate with you on posts, events, and content.
2). Redirect media inquiries: Media outlets often look to the polyamorous accounts with the largest followings; which results in the monolithic representation that we currently have.
What this looks like: Influencers, educators, and entities can shift this representation by declining the invitations to participate in media outlets, and instead- directing them to minority educators.
3). Financially support Black & POC Polyam Educators: Many of us cannot create content full time, and are largely doing this work for free. We need financial support to expand our reach.
What this looks like: Spend your money. Buy the products. Share the posts. Pay them for appearances.
You can find more Chaneé on the following social networks:
@ChaneeSpeaks on TikTok
@ChaneeSpeaks on Twitter