18: Talented at Horticulture (with Natasha)

Natasha runs an awesome business, The Handmade & Co, where she creates beautiful plant and succulent arrangements and macramé. The growth of her business is something she considers to be a bit of a part of her own growth – from healing in the aftermath of PTSD.
As a person who struggled with anxiety and depression from teenhood, Natasha felt less alone listening to the Canadian pop-punk band, Billy Talent. Unfortunately, this became another thing Natasha was bullied for – for not being “black enough.” When the bullying turned to physical violence and there was little recourse, Natasha got a loud message – “You don’t matter.” In 2017, Natasha was raped by somebody she considered to be family – she received the same message from work, friends, family, her boyfriend and the cops.
We are pleased to help Natasha share her story where we cover tons of ground; problems in the sexual assault reporting system, the culture of victim-blaming, lack of support in the workplace and the insidious “boys will be boys” mentality of sexual assault.
Representation also matters to Natasha – and when she saw the women of Wakanda in Black Panther with hair the same texture as hers, it was a hugely emotional moment of feeling seen. She’d like to see this kind of representation grow.

You can find Natasha on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thehandmade.co_/

Pop& Down's music is provided by Neil Quin
Pop& Down is written, produced, edited and hosted by Shaunna Quin

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