UK RESOURCES
For white/white-passing/white-adjacent people wanting to make tangible, non-optical steps towards deconstructing white supremacy in the UK
Without wanting to draw outrage or attention from the US, this time of grief and outrage should be a catalyst for white people in the UK to examine our own problem with white supremacy right here, right now. It is a MYTH that racism is more subtle in the uk, and it is absolutely our duty to deconstruct it and question it at every corner. Our government are simply better at gaslighting, better at smoke screening, better at dividing and conquering.
This list of resources was started on 31/5/2020 and is being updated/corrected on an ongoing basis (haven’t even touched books yet!). If you would like to make a suggestion or a correction, or would like to volunteer to maintain it please get in touch via the little speech bubble! There are absolutely issues missing from this list and please know that their omission isn’t through lack of care, it’s just that I haven’t added them yet, or I need to improve my knowledge of them first.
NB: BAME is a problematic term for many black and brown folks, and I am using it here only when directly quoting titles of motions/reports or stats from articles
Posters: Robert Brown Elliott League (1970)/ Emory Douglas (Circa 1970)
GEORGE FLOYD- UK BASED HELP:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAu_buhH5lD/
UK BASED DEMONSTRATIONS:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0wq-flA6X/
Tips for staying safe at demos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3DgOADNjw/
IF YOU OR THOSE YOU LIVE WITH ARE AT RISK FROM COVID, THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO PROTEST:
Virtual Protesting 101: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAyFgY6jdE0/
My role in a social change ecosystem created by Deepa Iyer: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0kGmUpVKI/
My role in a social change ecosystem worksheet:
https://buildingmovement.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Reflection-Guide-for-Mapping-Roles-in-A-Social-Change-Ecosystem.pdf
Ways to be in the struggle beyond the streets: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0CNOQjiCW/
We can’t all be on the frontline: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0xE73FZBz/
From BLM- Thursdays at 7pm https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8kZs-hYvH/
Petition to suspend exports of tear gas and rubber bullets to US
https://www.change.org/p/suspend-uk-export-of-tear-gas-rubber-bullets-and-riot-shields-to-usa
UK-BASED PLACES TO DONATE https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0CIEXg-Aq/
SAY THEIR NAMES - A UK THREAD
https://twitter.com/illh0eminati/status/1266441604170223617?s=20
POLICING
Our country is STILL using section 60 stop and search powers disproportionately against black and Asian men and boys. Teenagers, despite any appearances or activity ARE children, are not emotionally developed enough to deal with the stress of stop and search and are unlikely to know their rights. YOU as a citizen CAN make yourself aware of our rights and can ensure that young people are aware and educated so that they can protect themselves.
In the 12 months to March 2019 there were 370,454 stop and searches conducted by forces under section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (Pace), up from 279,728 in the previous 12 months.
White people made up the largest ethnicity group searched under police powers, at 187,761, followed by black people, who were stopped 70,648 times. However, black and Asian people were still over four times more likely to be stopped than white people.
For those who identified as black or black British, the disparity was even greater – they were 9.7 times more likely to be stopped and searched by an officer than a white person.
Joint Enterprise
Joint enterprise is a law that is often misinterpreted, and associated with gang culture and ‘broken britain’ leading to people who were in the proximity of a crime being charged for the same offence. This law disproportionately affects black men and boys. https://jointenterprise.co/Common.html
Joint enterprise - not guilty by association https://twitter.com/JENGbA
Case of Carl Dobson who has been in prison for 14 years due to this law:
https://www.change.org/p/criminal-cases-review-commission-justice-for-titch-everyone-deserves-a-fair-trial
Regional Police Monitoring Groups:
North: https://twitter.com/npolicemonitor
London: https://twitter.com/LCAPSV
Network of Police Monitoring Groups: https://twitter.com/netpol
London Youth: https://twitter.com/TakeBackTPower
SKAPED are a fantastic organisation who support young people to know their human rights by running arts-based workshops in schools
Y-Stop have an app to record stop and search encounters, and resources to help young people cope with stop and search.
History of the establishment of the police
https://drawnoutthinking.net/2018/03/02/history-of-the-establishment-of-the-london-metropolitan-police/
Inquest
https://www.inquest.org.uk/
Artwork by @Shelbyxstudios
No credit as yet (anyone know?)
COVID-19 INEQUALITY
Coronavirus patients from black African backgrounds in England and Wales are dying at more than triple the rate of white Britons, a study suggests.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said a higher proportion of people from ethnic minority backgrounds live in areas hit harder by Covid-19. However, they tend to be younger on average, so should be less vulnerable. After accounting for differences in age, sex and geography, the study estimated that the death rate for people of black African heritage was 3.5 times higher than for white Britons.
- Twice as many BAME members of nursing staff said there did not have enough surgical masks, disposable plastic aprons and disposable gloves than their white British counterparts, according to a survey of more than 5,000 workers by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). About 700 of those were from a BAME background.
- BAME people fined more than white population under coronavirus laws. Police in England issue at least 22% of fines for contravening lockdown to 15.5% of population
Dianne Abbott has tabled a motion in parliament for an independent enquiry into the effects of Covid-19 on BAME communities:
YOU CAN pressure your MP to back this motion via twitter and email
Post from @amileya on medical racism in the UK: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2V1HTJAIh/
Post from @NasarMeer including studies on healthcare inequality in UK and Scotland in response to the govt’s own report being delayed to avoid ‘racial tension” https://twitter.com/NasarMeer/status/1267737971995836416?s=20
RIGHT NOW, do your bit by still maintaining social distancing and hygiene measures, especially in public. Respect the health and concerns of friends who might have a higher risk rate when socialising. You can also push your local government and speak to your employer to ensure that your co-workers are given the protection and peace of mind that they need during this time.
RACISM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Our prime minister has normalised racist language and been part of a years-long movement in this country where racists feel energised and emboldened.
Read this: https://gal-dem.com/comprehensive-history-everything-boris-johnson-has-said/
Times like these are ABSOLUTELY the time to have conversations with family and friends about these issues and our attitudes. Our close friends and family are voting politicians in to power who are openly racist. How can we dismantle racist institutions if we keep voting them in?
This is a brill video from @ivirlei about the actions white people need to to first in their personal lives: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6uC66gF_q/
image: @anantiracismbookclub
These conversations work best when you use coaching techniques using questions to uncover beliefs and misconceptions. Examples “what do you think about that?” “What has led to that?”
Try to find common ground and things you both agree on. You can go really basic here “you agree that everyone deserves safety,right?” for example
When you do disagree, move through the conflict with neutral statements starting with “I”, for example: “I have a really different perspective on that, I see it this way”
As tempting as it is to drive someone into the ground with a good zinger about how awful and racist they are, this isn’t going to achieve your goal of making your family and loved ones aware of white supremacy and how insidious and damaging it is in the UK.
JUSTICE FOR BELLY MUJINGA
Belly Mujinga, 47, who died with Covid-19 on 5 April, was working at Victoria station when she was assaulted. She was spat and coughed on by a member of the public. Following an investigation, no further action has been taken, despite spitting being a criminal offence in the UK.
YOU CAN check out @Ceevalentina who has pulled together resources to further support Belly’s family and case going forward
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0BvYgnbdP/
The sample @Ceevalentina emails written by included in the resource can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/104yD-J54nAukfU04QYAMjHJtWOFhCxNs53yaxzwK3Us/edit
@standforhumanitys’s post on Belly Mujinga https://www.instagram.com/p/CAN-5yrF4qh/
WINDRUSH & DEPORTATIONS
Our country is STILL detaining refugees and STILL deporting families of the Windrush generation. For this, they are using privately run detention centres by companies like G4s and Serco who are woefully inadequate in the safeguarding and human rights of vulnerable people (or anyone). Charter flights are STILL deporting people who have lived their whole lives here and are separating families, parents from their children. You can give your time, or money to organisations like Praxis or Movement for Justice to support them in fighting this. You can educate yourself and have conversations with family and friends about this issue. The more people are aware the more people will act, the closer we get to families being compensated and reunited.
Only 60 people have received Windrush compensation payments during the first year of the compensation scheme’s operation, with just £360,000 distributed from a fund officials expected might be required to pay out between £200m and £500m.
By the end of March, 1,275 people had applied under the scheme. Many of those who are still waiting for compensation remain in difficult financial circumstances, as a direct result of their treatment by the Home Office when they were mistakenly classified as being in the UK illegally, as a result of the “hostile environment” against illegal immigration introduced by Theresa May, when she was home secretary from 2010 onwards.
YOU CAN volunteer your time and donate to:
Movement for Justice
https://movementforjustice.co.uk/
Praxis
https://www.praxis.org.uk/
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
https://www.jcwi.org.uk/
BAME Lawyers for Justice
https://twitter.com/BameFor
Windrush Action (google for regional groups)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-Organization/Windrush-Action-274736539802353/
EDUCATION
Lesson plans from Runnymede trust:
https://www.runnymedetrust.org/end-racism/about-the-campaign/resources/
The Black Curriculum
https://www.instagram.com/theblackcurriculum/
The Conscious Kid - Parenting through a critical race lens
https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouskid/
REPRESENTATION IN BUSINESS/INDUSTRY
UK Black owned businesses to buy from https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2fvXnAMD5/
Recruitment: The Other Box
https://www.theotherbox.org/
Black Women’s Directory
https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensdirectory/
Brands: You’ve made your IG post declaring solidarity with black people, what next? https://www.instagram.com/p/CA4sAq-hcfY/
For all things Black British https://twitter.com/britsandpcs
Black Owned Bookshops and publishers
https://ukblackwritersforum.wordpress.com/black-book-shopspublishers/
The Black British Business Awards
https://www.thebbbawards.com/
The “problem” woman of colour in the workplace
https://coco-net.org/problem-woman-colour-nonprofit-organizations/
Fearless Futures, critical thinking for organisations
https://www.fearlessfutures.org/
Uk Black Businesses, a thread:
https://twitter.com/UKBBSHOW/status/1267754697496109062?s=20
MEDIA - STAY UP TO DATE!
Gal-Dem
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA04VKDAyjb/
You can support Gal-Dem financially here: https://steadyhq.com/en/gal-dem
The Voice
https://www.voice-online.co.uk/
Black History Studies
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA22R8ngoQM/
Black History Walks
https://www.instagram.com/blackhistorywalks/
ORGANISATIONS
10 Black Community Groups you can fund (via @Guapmag)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5rmUpApt5/
1) Kwanda https://kwanda.co/
2) Milk and Honey https://www.instagram.com/milkhoneybees/
3) Generating Genius https://generatinggenius.org.uk/
4) Pem People http://www.volunteerpeckham.org.uk/pem-people
5) the reach out project https://www.instagram.com/thereachoutproject/
6) Step Now https://www.stepnow.co.uk/
7) More talk more action https://www.moretalkmoreaction.com/
8) Brixton Soup Kitchen https://brixtonsoupkitchen.org/
9) 4Front https://www.4frontproject.org/
20) Black Ballad https://www.instagram.com/blackballaduk/
Black Lives Matter UK
https://www.facebook.com/BLMUK/
Ubele
The Ubele Initiative is an African Diaspora led intergenerational social enterprise founded in 2014. https://www.ubele.org/
Charity So White
https://charitysowhite.org/
Runnymede trust
https://www.runnymedetrust.org/
Stand Against Racism and Equality SARI
https://www.sariweb.org.uk/
Stop Hate UK
https://www.stophateuk.org/
Fireflyfighers (LIVERPOOL BASED)
https://www.instagram.com/fireflyfighters/
Stephen Lawrence Trust
https://www.stephenlawrence.org.uk/
Momentum Black Caucus
https://blackmomentum.org.uk/
Black Ticket Project
https://twitter.com/BTProject_
WHO TO FOLLOW
Afua Hirsch
https://www.instagram.com/afuahirsch/
Gal-dem
https://www.instagram.com/galdemzine/
Stand for Humanity (Yasmin Autwal)
https://www.instagram.com/standforhumanity/
Kehinde Andrews
https://www.instagram.com/kehindeandrews/
Candice Braithwaite
https://www.instagram.com/candicebrathwaite/
Nova Reid
https://www.instagram.com/novareidofficial/
Black Ballad
https://www.instagram.com/blackballaduk/
Black cultural archives
https://www.instagram.com/bcaheritage/
Renni Edo Lodge
https://twitter.com/renireni
Stand up to Racism
https://twitter.com/AntiRacismDay
Black Visions Collective
https://www.instagram.com/blackvisionscollective/
Ask a POC
https://www.instagram.com/askapoc/
Antiracism bookclub
https://www.instagram.com/anantiracismbookclub/
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
https://twitter.com/BellRibeiroAddy
David Lammy
https://twitter.com/DavidLammy
Diane Abbott
https://twitter.com/HackneyAbbott
Black British Parent
https://www.instagram.com/blackbritishparent/
The Black Curriculum
https://www.instagram.com/theblackcurriculum/
Alex Wanjiku Kelbert
https://twitter.com/WanjiKelbert
No small talk
https://www.instagram.com/nosmalltalk_/
Marcus Ware
www.instagram.com/syrusmarcus
ALLYSHIP GUIDES
10 Steps to non-optical allyship
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA04VKDAyjb/
Amplifying Black Writers
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA22R8ngoQM/
Shades of Noir Terms of Reference - Inclusive Practise
https://issuu.com/shadesofnoir/docs/inclusivepractice
Shades of Noir Terms of Reference - Whiteness
https://issuu.com/shadesofnoir/docs/peekaboo_we_see_you_whiteness
Breakdown from @gendersauce
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0d2i2jd0j/
How to be anti-racist in the UK
https://www.instagram.com/womenofbrixton/
How to be actively Anti-Racist
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvbZyVh1xc/
Allyship during a Crisis
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VyKyRFdL-/
The Conscious Kid - Parenting through a critical race lens
https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouskid/
So you want to talk about white fragility
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3AoUQHiV9/
The 8 White Identities by Barnor Hesse
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0YXEUjdsM/
Being Anti-Racist
https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/being-antiracist
What is performative allyship?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA9SqsDBgI-/
Project implicit - Harvard-led project on unconscious bias
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
Bear with me on why I’m posting this next article but it links to the Havard study - if you are AWARE of your biases you can train your brain to override them: https://ideas.ted.com/how-a-simple-if-then-ritual-can-help-you-overcome-obstacles-and-achieve-your-goals/
Racial gaslighting looks like…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA82O3YlqUS/
READING LIST
Lil NB: Amazon are currently price gouging many of the below titles, and if you can you should buy from black-owned bookshops, like New Beacon Books!
https://www.newbeaconbooks.com/
Further list of black owned bookshops/publishers etc https://ukblackwritersforum.wordpress.com/black-book-shopspublishers/
Amazing reading list compiled by Jamila Prowse: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/180-tblQY1GM5D5w57_R4NN-tKsTRfFRN7N16hLn3-HU/mobilebasic
Additional list of academic essays compiled by Jamila Prowse: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j8gmrJMMLrjuC7AwecgxhrQJ9hdTWE9w
UK-Based Reading list:
Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire by Akala
Brit(ish): On race, identity and belonging by Afua Hirsch
Back to Black: Retelling Black Radicalism for the 21st Century by Kehinde Andrews
The Colour of Madness: Exploring BAME Mental Health in the UK edited by Samara Linton
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Edo-Lodge
Diversify by June Sarpong
I am not your Baby Mother by Candice Braithwaite
How to Argue With a Racist: History, Science, Race and Reality by Adam Rutherford
Rise by Gina Miller
Don’t Touch my Hair by Emma Dabiri
Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga
I Will Not be Erased edited by Gal-Dem
Taking Up Space: The Black Girl’s Manifesto for Change by Chelsea Kwakye and Ore Ogunbiyi
Image credit: @Venusroots
