“I AM NOT HERE”: VISIBILITY, ABSENCE, AND THE POLITICS OF BEING SEEN.
Photo Source: Studio Tywon
The world we live in often validates existence through visibility. From the rise of mass media to the constant feeding of social media and curated cultural spotlights, the act of being seen has become both a political right and a personal wound. In this context, “I Am Not Here” is not just a statement about disappearance—it is a symbol of the erasure many marginalized communities face. It is a protest. A confrontation. A rebellion against the conditional norms that determine who is worthy of visibility and whose voices are silenced. Being absent does not always mean one has disappeared. In many cases, it is a condition imposed by systems of power that wish to keep certain people hidden, quiet, and underrepresented. In today’s world—especially in fashion, media, and art—visibility is more than just recognition. It has become a form of currency. And, when used strategically, it becomes a weapon of empowerment. But that power is not distributed equally. Whitewashed ideals, binary gender expectations, and capitalist desires continue to dominate our cultural landscape, leading to even more division and erasure. We live in a society that selectively chooses who is allowed to be seen—based on body type, skin tone, aesthetic appeal, and perceived marketability. The result is that many are pushed into the shadows, denied their full humanity, and invalidated by industries that claim to champion diversity while quietly reinforcing exclusion. This editorial exists to challenge that exclusion. It is a declaration of the right to be seen. It examines the complex, and often painful, desire for visibility—particularly for those who are queer and Black. Time and time again, people of color have been distorted and repackaged by fashion and media industries. Our cultures are exploited. Our aesthetics are copied. Yet our stories remain untold. We are misrepresented, misread, overlooked, or used simply for profit. “I Am Not Here” is an affirmation that Blackness is not a trend and must never be used as a mere aesthetic. It is a lived experience, deserving of care, respect, and accurate representation.
