Black Lives Matter

Illustration by @shirien.creates who has the most amazing Instagram page

This isn’t a debate this is a movement and something I wish everyone in the UK could understand. The call of Black Lives Matter does not mean any other life doesn’t matter but that these lives have been systemically affected by racism for too long now and we need to come together and support this movement. I’ve watched with shock over the weekend as far right protestors have come into London and have worked to as they say ‘protect the statues’ but in reality have clashed with police and general public in shocking scenes across the capital. There have been videos on social media circulating from this event with protestors using racist chants and saying some pretty horrific things. How is this allowed to happen in modern day Britain? In a capital that is so widely diverse in its culture and so often celebrates this diversity. We have no place for this racism; and it is time to put our foot down.

Many ask how the protests from America have come across to the UK when we are supposedly such a tolerant country; and I would love to break that down for you. Largely the UK does not face the same issues with police brutality as the USA does but that does not mean we do not have racist issues here. The protest may have started in Minnesota as an outcry after George Floyd’s death but it is now about the pain and upset the black community have been facing for a ridiculously long time. The UK is a part of this problem and here are a few examples:

Slavery – Although the Slave Trade was abolished in 1833 the UK treasury paid out £20 million to repay the slave owners for loss of ‘property’ this was repaid up until 2015 by British taxpayers

Stop and Search – Between 2014-2018 black people were 7 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people

Police Bias – In 2019 1/5 police officers were found that they had an ethnicity bias which had a strong enough effect that it would impact their behaviour

The Windrush Scandal – In the 1948 British Nationality Act citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies has the right to settle in the UK. Due to being born in the British Empire they were obviously considered British. People were actively encouraged to move to the UK on the promise of good jobs and being used to boost the UK economy. This was called the Windrush Generation named after one of the ships used to travel over on. Since they had the legal right to be in the UK they didn’t need and weren’t given any kind of documentation when entering the UK. Or after the changing of immigration laws in the early 70’s. In 2012 the Hostile Environment polices were introduced. Theresa May was Home Secretary at the time and wanted to create a hostile environment for illegal immigrants. Now because the Windrush Generation didn’t have any proof of citizenship they faced deportation, prison sentences and more. This led to mass deportations, arrests and families being torn apart. This generation that came over and supported the UK boosting it’s economy and contributing to UK culture were treated in such a horrific way and still this has not been changed.

So what is it we can do?
For those that don’t feel comfortable with protests during these times there are still plenty of things you can do from the comfort of your own home.

Petitions
Here’s a collection of petitions you can support and sign

Teach Britain’s Colonial past as part of the UK’s compulsory curriculum
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/324092

Add education on racism and diversity to all school curriculums
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/323808

Improve maternal mortality rates and health care for black women in the UK
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/301079

Making the UK education curriculum more inclusive of BAME history
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/323961

Films and TV To Watch
When They See Us – Netflix
I May Destroy You – BBC
13^th – Netflix
Queen and Slim

Books To Read
White Fragility – Robin Diangelo, PHD
The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race – Reni Eddo Lodge
The Fire This Time – Jesmyn Ward

Podcasts To Listen To
1619 – The New York Times
Lynching in America – Eji
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Podcast – BBC Sounds
1Xtra Talks – Ace and Seani B

I’m slowly making my way through all these resources and hope these will be some help to you as we all continue educating ourselves on this movement. I’ve been doing a lot of my research on Instagram and through things I have managed to find online myself with a quick google. But I’ve credited all the accounts I’ve found information from below so please check them out too! And if you know of any more important resources please let me know I would love to have a look.

Credits
@smartgirltribe
@bybrookelle
@UOMfeministcollective
@ymagrant
@das.penman
@hali_b