I Only Shop at Forever 21 and other statements that must be addressed

If you keep up consistently with The Mod Little Melanin, then you're aware that I didn't post at all last week because I was so shaken up by the senseless police violence that has once again occured in my community. Instead of posting on my blog, I posted a series of think pieces (which I originally wrote for the lifestyle section of my blog - it's hidden from public view currently) in an attempt to gather my thoughts on police brutality, the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement, and how I felt about some of my peers being silent on the entire situation. If you'd like to read those pieces, they are currently on my Facebook page.

After seeing numerous Facebook friends support all lives matter without recognizing that black lives, and the lives of other minority groups must have the same opportunities at equality and justice for all lives to truly matter. After seeing too many people quote Martin Luther King, Jr out of context and oddly try to fit a quote to support their views of all lives matter (which only exists as a counter movement to black lives). And after seeing a white Facebook friend even say "where's MLK when you need him?" (Hint: He certainly didn't die of natural causes at age 39). I feel it is incredibly important to reiterate this statement I posted on Facebook: If ALL lives matter to you, why were you not enraged about the black lives lost last week? See how I just proved to you that All Lives Matter is in fact only in existence to be a counter movement for white US citizens who felt the need to be included in the Black Lives Matter movement? BLACK. LIVES. MATTER.

If I've lost some readers at this point, I'd like to point out that my blog has always been unapologetically black from day one. It's called "The Mod Little Melanin," melanin is a term that is commonly used as a synonym for black. I'm black, a majority of my readers are black and I plan to continue speaking on black issues (as I have done in the past) on The Mod Little Melanin.

The focus piece of today's look is my tulle skirt. I incorporate this skirt into my wardrobe year round. In the summer I wear a pair of short black leggings underneath it to ensure I have no mishaps when wearing it. In the winter, I wear a pair of fleece lined, black leggings under the skirt for warmth. Tulle skirts have the potential to be a versatile piece in your wardrobe. I commonly pair my tulle skirts with graphic tees to dress them down, but they can also be dressed up with a blazer and heels or a dressy top. This skirt is from Forever 21.

I paired my skirt with a graphic tee from Forever 21, that clearly supports my shopping habit. When I saw this "I Only Shop At Forever 21" tee, I knew it needed to be a part of my wardrobe.

The accessories for this look included, silver "rhinestone" earrings and a black "rhinestone" statement necklace. This necklace was only a dollar at Walmart (statement necklaces are again only a dollar at your local Walmart). I am also wearing pearl sandals, from Gordmans (they have been featured on The Mod Little Melanin before). To complete the look, I added my "Chanel" style purse from Charming Charlie's and a faux fur pom.

Remember that silence is consent. If you choose not to speak up on the injustices faced by those in the black community and other minority communities, you are only helping the oppressor and are passively agreeing to the injustices committed.

Black Lives Matter.

- Chelsea Nicole, The Mod Little Melanin 💋