On Tension

We knew we wanted the theme of our sophomore issue to be a juxtaposition to our inaugural volume, The Wonder Issue. When we started working with the theme of Tension in March 2019, we struggled with how to tackle the word – how deep do we go, what directions do we explore, how do we look at it differently, and what is authentic to us? Thinking back to those conversations more than a year ago, those worries seem so small.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit right as we were preparing to send our final files to print, and we paused production. We navigated through the unprecedented situation and stepped back to review the content of the volume through a new lens. We decided to resume and print, hoping that the content might provide a small relief in a trying time.

As Blackberry Magazine arrived in mailboxes in early June, the word tension had taken on even heavier and more poignant meaning with the important and critical conversation against racial injustice. We read, watched, listened and learned from all the incredible voices championing for change, and we looked inward to evaluate how we must evolve.

Being in the business of hospitality means opening our doors with kindness and grace and without judgement. It means we create a space where everyone feels welcome. That includes our print and digital content platforms.

We understand that the idea of tension is uncomfortable, and we certainly never intended the theme to be so relevant upon its release. Although the tension-focused content was created well before the incredible societal shifts we’ve experienced in 2020, we hope you find that the images and stories resonate with beauty and meaning.

Click Here to get Blackberry Magazine — Volume 002, The Tension Issue.