“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” - Martin Luther King Jr
The last few days have been emotional, to say the least. I have cried in sadness, roared in rage, screamed in frustration and I have come to a conclusion that I can not adequately express how I am feeling during these unprecedented times. Everywhere I turned I could not escape the harsh reality of injustice, racism and inequality. I watched from my screen as traumatic events, one after the other unfolded.
George Floyd, aged 46, died after being arrested by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Footage of the arrest, circulated the media on the 25th May, showing a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling on his neck, whilst pinned to the floor. One of the last statements he made before his death, was “I can’t breathe”. Pleading for his life, this man died as a result of racial injustice, but he is not alone:
Ahmaud Arbery
Breonna Taylor
Belly Mujinga
Sandra Bland
Eric Garner
Anthony Hill
Christian Taylor
Christopher Davis
Alton Sterling
Eric Reason
George Floyd
and so many more names that will forever be in our prayers. To question the existence of racism is simply ignorant and to have to justify why Black Lives Matter is obscured because these names are real. We are living in a time where we are forced to question the values and beliefs of the very people that govern the system that we live in. To ignore the trauma of racism on the Black community is the same as ignoring our pain and cutting off our mics when we shout. Institutional racism is affecting friends, families and work colleagues and we need to put a stop to it. We are tired, we are tired of singing the same song, we are tired of injustice, WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TIRED!
The Black Lives Matter hashtags have re-ignited a flame in the community that has been lit one too many times and people are angry. Until people in positions of power take effective action, then we can not rebuild the corrupt system we are funding. As long as the people who create and deliver government policy are not representations of the black community then our future will continue to be held ransom to those who do not care about it. We need to start doing the following:
Investing in our people
Investing in our businesses,
Investing in our future generation,
So that we can be placed in positions of power to make a change.
So here is what you can do
Sign the petitions
Take action and every signature represents a voice saying no to racism
Donate
There are charities and organisations that you can help fund, to actively fight against racial injustice.
Protest Safely
Stand with others in a peaceful protest in various locations in London and various locations this week.
Be Educated
Read…Read and Read! I encourage you to educate yourself on black history and speak to people with a willingness to learn. There are so many books, articles and other resources out there to access
Be Vocal
Motion creates movement, speak out and let your voice be heard
Relevant Resources
Charities and funds
Petitions to sign
Books and resources to read
- Ways to help (via Black Lives Matter)
- 75 things white people can do for racial injustice (via Medium)
Why I’m No longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
Dark Days by James Baldwin
Diversify by June Sarpong
How To Be Antiracist by Ibran X. Kendi
Don’t Touch My Hair by Emma Tabiri
White Supremacy and Me by Layla F. Saad
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
Freedom Is A Constant Struggle by Angela Davis
They Can’t Kill Us All by Wesley Lowery
Your Silence Will Not Protect You by Audre Lord
White Girls by Hilton Als
Brit-ish by Afuah Hirsh
Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga
The Good Immigrant, edited by Nikesh Shukla
Written by
Yours Sincerely
Joan Idowu, CEO of Several Seats
