Turn the lights on for tomorrow
On May 25th, George Floyd was murdered by Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer. Despite being unarmed, Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for a total of 8 minutes and 46 seconds. This abhorrent murder has sparked a global movement to dismantle the remnants of white privilege so entrenched throughout our supposedly ‘liberal’ and ‘progressive’ societies. ‘The Black Lives Matter’ movement has provided the invaluable springboard for this long-awaited awakening. Indeed, Floyd’s death was not an isolated case and is only a minute part of the anguish that the global family of the African diaspora have experienced and continue to experience. It is thus of paramount importance that our generation understands that we do not live in a post-racial society. Racism is not some shameful historical heritage which has now resurfaced but is something that has always existed, beneath the layers of ‘modern’ civilization.
The stats on contemporary racism make this abundantly clear. By the end of March 2020, there had already been 31 African Americans fatally shot by the police in the US. 65% of Americans believe it is more common for people to express racist sentiments since Donald Trump was elected President. Moreover, 56% of Americans say Trump has made race relations worse and 45% believe that racism has become more acceptable.
Although American people face these stark realities, the UK is not innocent. According to the BBC, despite only constituting 4% of the population, black people make up 40% of the poorest households in the UK. Throughout this country, black people are twice as likely to die in custody as their white counterparts. If we address police brutality specifically, the names of Alton Manning, Mark Duggan, Sean Riggs, and Sarah Reed should serve as a reminder that we too have failed black people. At this point you may be wondering ‘so, what can I do?’. Here is a list:
If you can protest, consider showing your support physically.
You can donate to a range of organizations or even bail funds for protestors who have been arrested.
If you cannot afford to do this, there are videos that you can stream that will be donating all proceeds from their ad revenue.
Sign and share the petitions.
Raise awareness via social media, do not choose silence at a time like this. Silence is compliance, it is violence and it is deafening.
But, most of all, getting educated and becoming more conscious about what is really going on and how you are complicit in it. Do you perpetuate harmful stereotypes? Do you stand up for your black friends when they’re faced with microaggressions? A good first step would be to read Layla F Saad’s brilliant book: ‘Me and White Supremacy’.
The white supremacy that forms the paradigms of today’s society strips the identities of millions of people. We must finally admit, address, and confront this issue because, if not now, then when? It is easy to let it sit, procrastinate over it, NO. It is time to be active, to be reactive. It is the duty of our generation to turn the lights on for tomorrow. WE will define the direction of society and it is so important that WE get it right.
Written by Sam Bradby and Benazir Begum