American actress, model and activist Yara Shahidi takes the cover story of the bi-annual magazine The September Issues‘ Futurism edition lensed by fashion photographer Mary Rozzi.
As a family [the coronavirus pandemic] has inspired very specific conversations for what it looks like to be of service right now, knowing that we have the privilege to be here with each other, and knowing that that’s something that cannot be taken for granted. Not only to be responsible and socially isolate because we can, but also to be responsible and say—okay, what are we going to do for the many communities that are affected. What does action look like now? – Yara
I think seeing the coming together during this crisis has been particularly inspiring… it’s highlighted the importance of acts of kindness when we are all in this situation, of people going above and beyond, of saying—this is my duty. – Yara
I think the thing this pandemic has done is call attention to the way we choose to define community. It’s a process in which you have to be very self aware… How have I been defining community and who I care for regularly, prior to this, and what does that look like now, when there’s so many intersections of people being affected by this and to varying degrees? So what does it look like to define community now, and to then be a responsible community member? – Yara
Photography © Mary Rozzi for The September Issues
The September Issues Magazine – Futurism issue – launches digitally today with the first of 8 covers – for the full issue see www.theseptemberissues.com
