Message from our Co-founder

To the Thought Community,

As an ethical and sustainable business, we aim to make every decision with the greatest respect for people and planet. This is at the heart of everything that we do.

Events provoked by the tragic death of George Floyd have been upsetting, confronting and thought provoking. It has also been encouraging to see the world come together in the cause of justice to enact the change that we all want to see.

The light that is being shed on the injustices and inherent racism in our society and institutions can only be a positive force for change.

Here at Thought we support the movement and encourage its momentum; we understand that we all have learning to do, and we are here watching & listening. Not just for today, not just for this month, this is a commitment to lasting change, and we are here for it.

 

We have come together to review our practises and to discuss how we can make sure that our business continues to be rooted in the values we have held dear since our inception.

Our commitments include:

- Engaging our team to take an online learning course on unconscious bias, guiding our learning in generalisation and stereotypes

-Continuing to ensure that our team represents the society that we live in, practising nonbiased hiring

-Assign proceeds from our annual Thoughtful Friday and other charity campaigns to a grassroots organisation working in support of diversity and inclusivity (we welcome suggestions)

-Working even closer with model agencies to ensure a diverse range of casting for photoshoots

-Review our marketing spend and ensure that any partnership investment is distributed through a diverse lens

We recognise that this is an ongoing journey, and we remain committed to evolving and improving. We will continue to listen, learn, and engage with our community.

At Thought we believe that when change happens inside of you it happens around you. We believe this to be true. We can all do better, we can all learn more, we all have a responsibility to engage in this movement and do as much as we can to create the change that we want to see, and develop a better world for our children and generations to come.

With our love

Rachel

Co-Founder. Thought

 

PS: Below is a list of reference points that I’ve found particularly engaging and educating over time and there seems no better time to share.

 

Listen to ‘Why do US cops keep killing unarmed black men? from The Inquiry’ on Apple Podcasts.

First released in 2015 after the death of Walter Scott gives detailed context in where the root cause of police brutality in the US comes from. I found it informative and eye opening, its factual journalism from a trusted source.

 

 

Listen to Brené with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist from Unlocking Us with Brené Brown on Apple Podcasts.

This podcast gives some real time information and context and I found it worthwhile for giving me insight. This is chatty yet informative

 

 

Listen to Trailer from Serial on Apple Podcasts.

released at the end of 2018 series 3 of Serial is an in-depth insight into the judicial system in America, I found it depressing in terms of how weighted the system is against people in need of lifting up, however its enlightening to understand how grassroots justice works. Great journalism

 

 

Listen to 1619 on Apple Podcasts.

I’ve just started this podcast and can report back, so far I’ve been educated on the beginnings of the slave trade, the economic reasons for its expansion and the cultural impact of black culture. It’s a great listen and very enlightening.

 

 

People I follow or have recently started following to expand my learning and understanding.

 

Rachel Cargle or on Instagram @rachel.cargle.

Trevornoah, on Youtube or Instagram @thedailyshow.

@hereweread on Instagram

 

To end, here are some books I’ve included in our family library:

 

Same But Little Bit Diff’rent by Kylie Dunstan. A celebration of people, of cultures, of lifestyles, of traditions, of likenesses, and of differences.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold. A great way to talk to your child about inclusivity and diversity.

Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne. Set in Kenya this book focuses on a beautiful tale of friendship.