Black Lives Matter - Educating Myself

The tragic death of George Floyd on 25 May 2020 has sparked fire in lives around the globe and led to a movement so powerful, so forceful and so strong, that our only option has been to sit up and listen. The movement I am talking about is, of course, Black Lives Matter.

I've been 'umm-ing' and 'ahh-ing' about writing this blog post for a few weeks now. A topic with this amount of depth, fear, history and importance - and one that I have never, and will never experience first hand - has pushed me far out of my own comfort zone. I have developed a fear that I may hurt, upset and anger anyone and ultimately say or write the wrong thing. But in the last few weeks, I have taken the time to read, listen, and learn and the outcome has shocked even myself. What I have realised is that my fear of saying the wrong thing is of no significance whatsoever compared to the fear that has been instilled in black lives over decades and centuries. Although the current Black Lives Matter Movement has gained more traction and awareness in mainstream media over the last month following the death of George Floyd, this is nothing new. The issues surrounding racism have been prominent for hundreds of years, and while some of us may feel shocked that such stigma still exists, there are others who have suffered and fought against racism every day of their lives. It's time for us to support black lives, educate ourselves, grow as human beings and make a change.

My education of Black Lives Matter began with #blackouttuesday. A campaign created by members of the music industry to encourage people to disconnect from work and everyday life and focus on the community we live in and educate themselves on BLM. Although some may disagree with my opinions and actions, I chose not to participate in this activity. I did not see how posting a black square on my Instagram account for a day would change the world in a positive light. Being white and incredibly privileged and living in a rather small bubble of likeminded people, the majority of my Instagram following are just like me and I thought my time would be better spent reading articles, learning about black history, signing petitions and donating to charities. I felt as though I would be simply jumping on the bandwagon for the sake of it and seeing as prior to this I had ever been vocal about my opinion on racism I felt like it would be insincere.

I have learnt a huge amount in the last three weeks and although some of my opinions still stand, others have changed dramatically. My initial feelings on this as a white person of privilege, were that it was my role to take a step back and educate myself silently. I have never and will never experience racism and prejudice. I will never be a minority, and I will never experience being discriminated against simply for the colour of my skin. I thought that as I was unable to experience these things on a personal level it meant I was not needed to help the cause and make a change. The more research I did the more I realised how wrong I was. Yes, black men and woman are the victims, but it is us, the white, privileged individuals who are the perpetrators. We are the problem. We created it, we made it, we allowed it to continue, so surely it is us who need to fix it?

As white people we are automatically at an advantage whether that's financially, economically or educationally. Of course class comes in as a significant factor and the correlation between race and class proves a problem in itself, but the issue that needs to change first is race, and the other factors will follow suit. If black and white people were given the same opportunities from the start, the playing field for the course of our lives would remain equal. I understand now that the argument is 'racists vs everyone else', as opposed to 'black vs white', and as racism, slavery, and discrimination originated with white Brits surely we are the ones who need to use our platform of privilege to lead the change with the help of black individuals?

If I were being brutally honest, I would say I was a coward. I have been known to avoid hard hitting topics and discussions with colleagues, friends and family. I usually refuse to discuss politics, race, culture, or any issue that turns into some form of debate. Previously I would say I simply wasn't interested, but that in itself is appalling and ignorant. I refused to discuss politics in an attempt to avoid a debate or argument about how I can be a 23 year old Tory, and I dismissed any conversation of racism because my rose tinted eyes didn't see it happening everyday. I live in a sheltered private school, white privileged, and wealthy bubble, so for 23 years of my life I felt it was acceptable to avoid all these conversations because they didn't directly affect me. Looking back on it I realise people like me are part of the problem. Although I have never deemed myself to be a racist, I was not exactly advocating anti-racism either. As said by Angela Y. Davis, 'In a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist'. In the last few months and even years I have begun to educate myself on more of those hard-hitting topics. I realised the reason I refused to discuss such things was not because they were boring or uninteresting, but because I was totally unaware and didn't understand them. I feel better equipped now in life to enter these types of conversations with the knowledge that my opinion is OK as long as I have done my research to support it.

History was always one of my favourite subjects at school but 12 pages into my book 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race' by Reni Eddo-Lodge, I realised how little knowledge I really had on British history. I remember learning about The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act during my GCSE's, I knew it was important at the time but for some reason seven years later I can hardly recall a single fact or detail on the topic. I am shocked at how little an impact it had on my life given its importance and how much I needed to learn. Although I feel I am partially to blame as I can't imagine 15 year old me was particularly easy to teach - I was a nightmare! - part of me thinks the education system needs to alter the way it is taught, most importantly with a subject like history.

Looking back to my school education I genuinely do not think I retained a single piece of information I was taught - perhaps with the exception of maths which for some reason seems to be ingrained in my brain. But it got me questioning what my education was even for and how it needs to improve for the younger generations moving forward. You will probably have seen thousands of petitions and letters flying around over the last few weeks in a bid to change the educational curriculum and syllabus, and I'm a huge advocate for this. Now is our chance, 'our' being privileged white individuals, to help and do our bit. It may not be huge and life changing but it is a start. I realised I left school without a single piece of knowledge about real life and real issues that exist and hopefully by changing the syllabus it will enable the next generations to leave school with a wider knowledge of the world we live in and its history. We need perspectives, variety, contrasting views and different accounts in order to have a fully rounded education and a more factual insight into what really happened. History should be taught for cultural and educational purposes not for exam and pop quiz purposes.

While I am not one to participate in protests or riots, or join crowds of thousands pulling down statues, I can't help but think what other option do we have? Surely something as dramatic as the pulling down of Edward Colston's statue needed to happen in order to make people understand the severity of the situation we are in? While I have conflicting views on the topic when it comes to the likes of Churchill and other historic monuments, and believe history cannot be erased or changed and is necessary for educational purposes, I can totally understand and empathise with the people who feel that while these statues are still standing across the country, change will cease to happen.

I am by no means finished with my education of British history, the origin of slavery and the Black Lives Matter Movement. I am only at the beginning of my journey, I have a lot more work to do, I have a lot more self-educating and growth to do but I'm trying. I am unsure on the details of how I will continue to actively support the movement not just over the next few weeks but long term to ensure I don't just become another person following a 'trend', but I am positive it will become clear to me the more I educate myself on this topic and I will find a way to do my bit to help actively end racism. As a child of the Generation Z population it is my job and our job to seek active change. The millennials and myself are meant to be this country's future and we need to lead by example, take control, and make steps towards change.

Before I sign off, I want to note that I am far from an expert on this topic, I do not have all the answers, and do not think my opinions and actions make me perfect. There are thousands of incredible people who know more than I do and will better educate you with your learning and education than I can. I have added a list of books and podcasts, some of which I have read and listened to, and some that are still on my list to work through. I think they are particularly great and insightful as a bit of a starting point if you are not quite sure where to begin. If you have any further recommendations I would love to hear them.

Books

Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge

White Fragility - Robin Diangelo

An American Marriage - Tayari Jones

Me and White Supremacy - Layla F Saad

So You Want To Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo

Slay In Your Lane - Elizabeth Uviebinené & Yomi Adegoke

I Am Not Your Baby Mother - Candice Brathwaite

Don't Touch My Hair - Emma Dabiri

Podcasts

Adulting - Oenone Forbat

Episode 67 - Systemic racism in the UK with Adam Pugh & Africa Daley-Clarke

Episode 68 - Motherhood, Social Media & Boundaries with Candice Brathwaite (Author of - I Am Not Your Baby Mother)

The High Low - Dolly Alderton & Pandora Sykes

'After The HashTags'

'Anti-Racism Resources & An Author Special with Candice Brathwaite'

About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge

Author of 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race'

Reni Eddo-Lodge looks at the recent history that lead to the politics of today. Incredibly insightful and by far the most educational and in-depth of the podcast choices.

Lots of love x