This years theme is 'Say Something'.
As a democratic nation, the United Kingdom values democracy. Democracy means that the general public has a say in how the country is run, by voting in elections and appealing to the government when there are important issues that we feel they should address. Saying something is part of the fabric of our national identity. But what does this have to do with Black History Month?
Let's imagine racism a bit like a bully. Sometimes a bully can mistreat people in really cruel and obvious ways, like calling names or even being violent. Sometimes bullying can take place in more subtle ways, like whispering or looks. No matter how happens, a way to make bullying stop is by speaking out. Whether you are the victim or a witness we know speaking out is the right thing to do to make the bully stop. The problem is, sometimes it's quite scary to speak out. What if the bullying get's worse? What if people don't believe you? What if you are a witness and they start bullying you too? These fears are reasons why bullies often get away with doing so much harm.
Racism works in a very similar way. Sometimes racism is very obvious but most of the time it works in those quieter subtle ways. Sometimes we respond to racism with fear; but that means that the perpetrators or systems that are prejudice and discriminatory, continue to get away with causing harm to specific groups of people. To stop this happening, we need to be become fearless. Speak up when we feel that we are victims of racism. Speak up when you think someone else is a victim of racism. Speak up and be ready to have difficult conversations. Say something; because it is the right thing to do, because you might be helping someone who really needs help and because sometimes saying nothing makes things worse.
Saying something about racial injustice can take many forms. Sometimes it can be having difficult conversations with a friend or family member. Sometimes it can be participating in public action and protests. Throughout this month we will look at the times saying something has led to equality. We will look at issues that still require us to use our voices and speak out due to injustice and we will practice how to have difficult conversations so we can challenge racial prejudice and change the world for the better.
As a democratic nation, the United Kingdom values democracy. Democracy means that the general public has a say in how the country is run, by voting in elections and appealing to the government when there are important issues that we feel they should address. Saying something is part of the fabric of our national identity. But what does this have to do with Black History Month?
Let's imagine racism a bit like a bully. Sometimes a bully can mistreat people in really cruel and obvious ways, like calling names or even being violent. Sometimes bullying can take place in more subtle ways, like whispering or looks. No matter how happens, a way to make bullying stop is by speaking out. Whether you are the victim or a witness we know speaking out is the right thing to do to make the bully stop. The problem is, sometimes it's quite scary to speak out. What if the bullying get's worse? What if people don't believe you? What if you are a witness and they start bullying you too? These fears are reasons why bullies often get away with doing so much harm.
Racism works in a very similar way. Sometimes racism is very obvious but most of the time it works in those quieter subtle ways. Sometimes we respond to racism with fear; but that means that the perpetrators or systems that are prejudice and discriminatory, continue to get away with causing harm to specific groups of people. To stop this happening, we need to be become fearless. Speak up when we feel that we are victims of racism. Speak up when you think someone else is a victim of racism. Speak up and be ready to have difficult conversations. Say something; because it is the right thing to do, because you might be helping someone who really needs help and because sometimes saying nothing makes things worse.
Saying something about racial injustice can take many forms. Sometimes it can be having difficult conversations with a friend or family member. Sometimes it can be participating in public action and protests. Throughout this month we will look at the times saying something has led to equality. We will look at issues that still require us to use our voices and speak out due to injustice and we will practice how to have difficult conversations so we can challenge racial prejudice and change the world for the better.
Grenfell Fire, 2017The tragedy that unfolded on 14th June 2017 resulted in the greatest loss of life in the UK since WWII. A fire broke out in the 24 storey tower block in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; the wealthiest borough in the country where the average wage is £65,000 each year. Despite the affluent location, the few miles surrounding the tower block, (which was purpose built council housing) makes up one of the poorest communities in London. Of the 72 people that died, 67 were ethnic minorities. It was thought that the fire could have been prevented by the council taking simple safety measures, but because of the their race and because of their social class the residents of Grenfell were ignored. Many requests for the council to install a working fire alarm system and a sprinkler system had been made and concerns about the exterior cladding had been raised. Th cladding was put up improve the appearance of the exterior of the building so it was nicer to look at. Kensington and Chelsea Council spent £9.2 million on renovations in the area but made a saving of £293,000 that would have made the cladding fire retardant. A sum that seems trivial when weighed up against the cost of the lives that were devastated on that day. Now in 2020, reports show that there are still 17 families waiting to be rehoused into permanent accommodation because there are no affordable homes in the area. |
The New Cross Fire, 1981 On the 18th January 1981, Yvonne Ruddock was having a party to celebrate her 16th birthday. A fire broke out in the downstairs living room and rapidly spread through the house killing 13 young people, with a 14th committing suicide soon afterwards. There a varying views as to what happened on that tragic night with many believing it was caused deliberately, based on racist threats and attacks in the area. Despite these beliefs, the police were accused of being very slow to act and lacking compassion towards the victims and their families. The country had never seen loss of life in a house fire like this ever before and the victims being so young added to hurt in the community. Despite there never being an incident like this before, the response from the media, the police, fire department and government appeared to lack care or interest. It was as if the deaths of black children didn't matter. The phrase, "13 dead, nothing said" became the slogan for those campaigning for a full and thorough investigation. Protests at the time were met my harsh violence from the police and labelled the protesters as trouble makers and rioters. There was never any acknowledgment from the government or The Royal Family for the mishandling of this tragedy. |
What difference does saying something make?
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