True to BSTN’s proprietary ‘Feed Fam, Fuck Fame!’ philosophy, we’re introducing you to some members of the immediate as well as the extended BSTN family. In their own words, they talk about themselves, their career, and selected topics close to their heart. This is Feed Fam – Episode XVII featuring Linda Nübling, founder of GURLZ WITH CURLZ.
On how GURLZ WITH CURLZ was founded:
My main motivation was the desire to feel connected with other Black people. As I grew up in a predominately white environment which caused trauma, I wanted to find perspectives that I could relate to and create or join a community. Everyone has this feeling of belonging. So did I, even when it took me some time to realize that I need it. GURLZ WITH CURLZ is so much more than just a magazine / exhibition, it’s a safer space and I guess in a way, also a political act.
On the challenges that the project overcame on its way from ideation to creation:
It‘s hard to pinpoint the exact steps and challenges because when I’m in the process of doing, I often just do it. As a graphic designer my skill-set for creating a magazine/an exhibition piece was more natural than it would have been for others. So I could easily create something without being dependent on someone. That helped to get started.
And then, of course, I needed the support from my friends and people who wanted to, because it always takes a village to create something meaningful. And to be honest, it feels also so much better doing stuff together as a team. It connects you. I think the biggest challenge I had to face was making a predominately white society understand that BLACK LIVES MATTER, that our stories deserve to be told and are more than racism and politics. That we want to embrace Black culture.
On creating spaces – in a physical and metaphorical sense of the word:
These spaces that we strive to create with the GURLZ WITH CURLZ project are more like a feeling. To be able to just be and not having to defend yourself. Safer spaces. But often I’m also a bit disappointed how it’s still so much work to do in Germany to create these spaces. We can’t just adapt the word Black community as it is lived in the US or UK. In Germany, it’s way different. We still have to define what a Black community looks like here.
On her goals for the project:
Our collective strives to connect a Black Community on a global scale. To minimize the lack of representation of Black people in Germany and to fight racist structures so that we don’t have to live in fear. We belong and deserve to be seen.
On her sources of inspiration and motivation:
To be honest, I draw inspiration from everything that surrounds me. Other humans, their stories, deep conversations, food, magazines, art, photography, traveling and so much more. Maybe you could say – if it doesn’t sound pathetic – LIFE is my inspiration.
