What role does the creative industries play in advancing societal change and challenging systemic inequality?
Photo by Elizabeth Mary Newell taken from Fuse Manchester event on Women In Design
I was on a panel last night, and there was a question about how in light of recent racial tensions in the UK, the creative industries play a role in promoting societal change and challenging systemic inequality. There's only so much you can say in a short space of time so having slept on it, I had some things I wanted to share as all the issues we’re currently facing are all deeply interconnected—budget cuts to the arts, the cost-of-living crisis, the ongoing atrocities in the Middle East, riots on our doorsteps, the destructive impact of fast fashion on the climate, the exploitation of workers in Asia and Africa. These aren't isolated issues. It's all part of a larger system of oppression that the creative industries have the power to change.
As cultural gatekeepers, the creative industries shape what we see, hear, read, and consume. It holds the potential to shift the narratives that influence society's perceptions. When we talk about industries, it's important to remember that these aren't abstract things—they are made of people. So, WE have the responsibility to change things. Yet in recent years the conversation has shifted—particularly for creatives of colour—from doing their jobs to becoming responsible for 'fixing' DEI issues within our workplaces. But it shouldn't just be all on someone from a marginalised background. How many times do we need to say this?!
It's no longer just about what we create but how we navigate and transform the structures of inequality and inequity in these industries. The problem, however, is more fundamental. How can we hold leadership accountable if there's no psychological safety to speak up? We can't bring about change in environments where fear of backlash or repercussions silences us. Waiting for leadership to retire, as someone suggested during the panel, doesn't address the systemic issues. Culture isn't just a policy update or a leadership change. Again. It's made by people—by us. We are the ones who shape and shift culture. And we shouldn't feel obligated to stay in toxic workplaces, hoping that one day, things might change when often toxicity and inequity is baked into the essence of that very company, and usually upholds the status quo.
Another thought is more about our actions as consumers than as creatives. So on an individual level, we should never underestimate our power with the money in our pockets. Each purchase is a vote of support for a brand or company's values (and I’m not talking about the bullsh*t they put on their website but how they’re operating daily). In a world that's obsessed with brands and newness, buy! buy! buy!, it's easy to overlook the influence we have as consumers. But a quick Google search (or watching these biographical drama films that are popping up everywhere about certain brands) can reveal much about who owns the companies we shop with, how they treat their workers (think complete supply chain), and what their workplace cultures are like.
By supporting businesses that uphold ethical practices, prioritise DEI and challenge systemic inequality, we can create pressure for broader change. Brands and creative industries thrive on public perception and consumer loyalty—when we demand better, they have no choice but to respond. This is where the power of collective action lies and we drive significant societal shifts. Aligning our spending habits with our values is one way we can actively participate in creating a better world.
