But it's 2020, there's equality by now, right? #blacklivesmatter
*I want to disclaim that if you notice anything which I have understood wrong or worded problematically, please let me know. This is how we learn- by having the conversation.*
On 25 May 2020, George Floyd died from what was stated as "cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression". A white police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on this black man's neck whilst he pleaded for his life, "I can't breathe". Three other officers watched over and stayed silent as Floyd was unlawfully murdered. Silence is not an option anymore and I will use my voice. Therefore, as Layla f. Saad stated, "here's to doing what is right, and not what is easy."
If you haven't seen the viral video, I suggest you do. It should make you feel uncomfortable. It should make you reflect. If you are a white person reading this now, understand your privilege. Use that privilege to speak out about the injustice you see, rather than the privilege you have to turn the video off because 'it's upsetting' and doesn't affect you personally. Many black people and people of colour (POC) don't have the opportunity to switch off from the daily fear and uncomfortable reality that they are prejudiced against due to something they can't control.
I'm not going to sit here and pretend I'm perfect. I'm at the very beginning of this uncomfortably honest journey. The eery nature of black oppression and white supremacy due to the system our society is built upon when "racism and white supremacy is resurfacing, but the truth is, it never went away.". My unconscious privilege and silence at the expense of black oppression.
During a school exchange to South Africa (#culcheth2soweto) in 2017, I saw videos and heard stories in the Apartheid museum which brought me to tears. I was naive enough to have confidence that society had changed and there was equality now, I mean we live in the 21st century, right?! Due to the colour of my skin, I have been sheltered and could never have been more wrong.
Originally I was asking why we are going back in time because the current riots and protests of America are identical to what I had seen. It was only when I took the time to research did I realise the unnerving truth: we never moved on, we just started to post it on social media, "the legal abolition of slavery did not abolish the slavemaster' mindset". Take in that reality because silence is now betrayal. This isn't a time to be neutral. Black lives matter.
I've heard people talk about the fact that 'All lives matter'. Black people are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police compared to a white person in the US- statistics sourced by Mapping Police Violence. As well as this, they are 1.5 times more likely to be killed unarmed. If all lives matter, why does this inequality exist? To me, these statistics suggest that white lives matter more. Ironically, white people aim to be equal by downplaying racism and shifting the focus of the Black Lives Matter movement. I read something where it said, see it as 'black lives matter, too'. If someone asked to use your hose pipe because their house was on fire, would you refuse it because your flowers needed watering? This is the mentality of 'All lives matter'.
I want to emphasise that racism isn't reserved to the US either. Research. The UK and other countries are not innocent. In 2013/14, the police in England and Wales recorded 47,571 ‘racist incidents’, 130 incidents per day, on average. That is disgusting.
I don't know about you, but when in primary school if I asked or was asked to pass the 'skin coloured' crayon over, the peach crayon would always be picked up first because that was what I have been taught. We are not being consciously racist with no intention to hurt, but how do you think that child of colour would have felt? Reflect.
If you are sat reading this thinking you've heard it all before, I ask, what are you doing to act? If you feel like I'm repeating what has been posted and reposted, then surely you have some knowledge of the issues at hand? As a result, how much have you researched? Could you do more? Have you signed the petitions necessary to bring about justice and equality to the lives of POC? Have you shared your views? If you can, have you donated? If not, ask yourself, why? You don't need education to recognise racism and have morals. Engage in uncomfortable conversations. LISTEN to what you're reposting on social media and act upon it. It genuinely upsets me that people will happily post a black square on their Instagram but haven't done what they claim. #theshowmustbepaused in the dance industry aimed to use the time not dancing in classes to research and learn about what is going on; to step back and reflect. I hope you consciously did that and not just follow a trend.
Human lives aren't just weekly hashtags. I will never truly understand the struggle of a black person but I will listen. I will be outraged by what I hear, by what I see but what I will not do is cease to speak up for what is right. We want change. I do not accept injustice just because I have the privilege to ignore what is going on. I aim to be actively anti-racist and I hope you will commit to that too. Don't wait for the change to happen, be the change.
I will be posting more resources to read, to donate, to watch etc. Please let me know more resources you recommend.
Stay safe.
Maddie x
READ:
https://medium.com/@eec/this-equity-picture-is-actually-white-supremacy-at-work-59f4ea700509
http://www.aclrc.com/antiracism-defined
WATCH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTmNV5KTdDo&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2Mdnx1VxBg&feature=youtu.be
Just Mercy (the film)
The Help (film)
SIGN:
https://www.justiceforbigfloyd.com/
https://www.change.org/p/govia-thames...
https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-...
DONATE:
Donate to help the family of #GeorgeFloyd: http://gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate
https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
https://www.facebook.com/donate/16252...
LISTEN:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0QK4Ro1xdjSDQy9YYu1UQr?si=zWMsZiGHSM6RruTqZRIEPg
Thank you for writing this. Thank you for being so active in ensuring people understand. The resources and links you've shared will help others learn.
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