BLOG |
I was going to post this last week but didn’t get round to it. After the protest today I nearly decided to scrap most of this post because ‘Watching a Netflix series or reading a book doesn’t bring about change, we need to take action’, this is something someone said today after the protest and it really made me think. The horrific killing of George Floyd has caused a change in society, let’s make this the last fight to combat racism once and for all. Although murders, attacks and constant injustice have been going on for decades the recent BLM movement has produced an uproar; more people are becoming aware of the severity, change is being encouraged, hopefully this will mean abolition of white privilege and racism in the world for the future. However, my protest board today stated: “George Floyd is not a ‘wake-up call’, the alarm has been ringing since 1619 but you keep hitting snooze’. We are all the same in the sense that we are all made of flesh and bone and all have a life to live, no one should be treated differently based on the amount of melanin in their skin, people should not have to worry about the amount of racism in a certain country or school before going there. We should not be treated based on our race but as a human race. I thought I would share what I have been up to over the last few weeks regarding the BLM movement. Education 1. The Hate You Give (THUG) written by Angie Thomas I loved this book; a fiction novel based on reality. It is seen through the eyes of a 16yr old (Starr) along with her family and friends experiences of rioting, racism and inequality in society. I would highly recommend! It is also a film which I am looking forward to watching! I have started reading Noughts and Crosses as well as ‘Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race’. Head over to Emma’s blog post for more ideas of what to read and listen to (fruitsandroutes.com/keeping-the-blm-momentum-going/) 2. 13th documentary on Netflix This film highlights the events of racism in the US from the 17th century slave trade to the present day, specifically highlighting the proportions of African-Americans in prisons compared to white people. The government would enforce laws and rules just to find an excuse to accuse black people of crimes. I watched this after reading THUG, it helped explain ‘drug lords’ and accusations made against African-americans. 3. Instagram posts A lot of accounts have posted carosels that I have found interesting and informative. 4. Researching individual stories
Action Educating ourselves is sooo important but it ultimately allows us to take action, that’s how the real change happens! 1. Petitions – there are so many petitions trending at the moment so go sign, we've got to work together! There will be global petitions and local, some for schools, some for police, you name it, just read and sign!! 2. Marches/protests I went to my first protest today and it’s an experience I will never forget! I got so many goosebumps and it was so powerful, especially the speeches at the end. 3. Donations 4. Speak out, change won’t occur if we are too afraid to speak out – racism is a white people issue so white people need to fix it!We need to be actively anti-racist and not non-racist! 5. Support black brands and individuals We love black culture so they deserve our support and kindness just like everyone else!!! Awareness
P.S Dumbbirchtree on TikTok – her videos are amazing; she talks about a large range of topics relating to the BLM movement which I then research further. You may have noticed the number of !!! throughout the post but honestly there is so much power if we all stand together. Today’s protest really lit a fire in me hence why I altered this post. There is so much in reading and learning but actually being in an environment where everyone is rooting to combat racism is so powerful and influential.
“I UNDERSTAND THAT I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND, HOWEVER I STAND WITH YOU!” Takeaway: this is something that was shared at our protest today, this is how change is going to occur, take the RISK! Relationships – don’t let anyone or anything stop relationships forming between different races Intentional – opportunity for conversation Start – conversations, actions, movements, learning, talking à breakdown racism Knowledge – school curriculums, educate yourselves and others, listen to experiences Let’s make this a forever change! Immie x
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
RECIPES
RACE RECAPS TRAINING BESIDES RUNNING SELF CARE BACK TO SCHOOL OVERTRAINING THINGS I AM LOVING LATELY TRIATHLON NEW YEAR Month/year
August 2023
|