'We are a symbol of equality': Huda Kattan donates $500,000 to support #BlackLivesMatter movement
04 June, 2020
The death of George Floyd and subsequent riots throughout the US and beyond have led to an outpouring of grief, anger - and donations.
From Chrissy Teigen pledging $200,000 (Dh734,500) to help release protestors arrested over demonstrations to the cast and crew of TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine donating $100,000 to the National Bail Fund Network, individuals and organisations have been checking their wallets to aid the anti-racism movement, #BlackLivesMatter.
Among those backing the reason is American-Iraqi beauty mogul Huda Kattan, who on Tuesday announced her brand, Huda Beauty, will be donating $500,000.
The sum will go towards The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil rights organisation founded a lot more than 100 years ago in america.
The brand made the announcement on Instagram, since it posted the easy black square that symbolises solidarity with the movements and justice for black Americans who've been put through police brutality.
"At Huda Beauty, we stand against racism today and always. In solidarity with the black community and the Black Lives Matter movement, we are pausing our regular content," the caption stated.
"Now is a period to pay attention, learn and reflect. We are becoming involved the fight systemic racism, and we encourage those who aren’t familiar with the Black Lives Matter movement to teach themselves and do something."
The brand, that was founded in Dubai in 2013, also pledged to talk about resources and content to aid and amplify the voices of men and women of colour.
"We are a symbol of equality even though today we are making our voice heard to get Black Lives Matter, we will continue steadily to support all communities facing global injustices," the post added.
The $500,000 donation will go towards NAACP's Legal Defence Fund, which gives aid to African-Americans fighting racial injustice.
"Their mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and monetary equality of rights to be able to eradicate race-based discrimination and ensure medical and well-being of most persons," Huda Beauty added.
Now is a period to listen, learn and reflect
Huda Beauty
Kattan, 36, has previously discussed fighting growing up in america as the daughter of immigrant parents, telling The National this season she felt like she didn't "fit in".
“That was a challenge, just growing up in America with immigrant parents, but also not having money,” she said. “My parents were on welfare. Not having certain means - even basic means - was hard.
“I definitely felt like I had not been up to the measure that my peers were at. And it felt really bad. And it will be built this thing in me where I never felt like I was good enough, and it was a struggle since it took me quite a long time to discover that I was always trying to prove myself."
Kattan also revealed she struggled with accepting her complexion.
"I’m Middle Eastern and in the Middle East, traditionally, they haven’t liked richer skin tones," she said. "They’ve liked very fair skin tones. And I was raised convinced that my skin wasn’t light enough, which wasn’t right."
Source: www.thenational.ae
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