MDXSU Stands with #BlackLivesMatter
At Middlesex Students’ Union, we say their names. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. Sean Reed. Tony McDade. The list goes on. The victims of systematic racism against Black people. At Middlesex Students’ Union we say…
Black Lives Matter!
Systematic racism against Black people has been happening for centuries – colonisation started centuries ago forcing people to become slaves in their own countries – but the change has been limited. We still see street names and statues of slave owners, we still see videos of Black people being brutally lynched in the streets and we still have people ignoring the issues of clear and systematic racism. We say…
Black Lives Matter!
We are tired of the anti-Black rhetoric of the “all lives matter” statement. This is a statement created against Black Lives Matter. Nobody ever said “all lives matter” until we said Black Lives Matter. Started to divert attention, ignoring again the everyday racism that exists in our society. The message of Black Lives Matter is one everyone needs to pay attention to and never try to escape. This isn’t just a problem in America, it’s a problem right here in the UK too. This is a problem we all need to face and eradicate. We say…
Black Lives Matter!
Although this movement has recently come to light again it is something that Black people are living and fighting every day. Those wishing to call themselves supporters or allies need to answer the question of whether they are actually doing anything to support that fight. We only see the events recorded, that gain traction on social media and those shared around the world. However, we should be just as disgusted, outraged and willing to fight against the racism not always so public. The racism on our streets, in our classrooms, in our schools and universities, in our businesses and our curriculum. We say…
Black Lives Matter!
We shouldn’t need to see videos of white police officers pinning down Black people, using force on those who are fenceless and murdering them to understand the importance of what is going on or to convince us that change is needed. We need to educate ourselves, recognise our positions of privilege, use our platform to break down barriers and normalise the important conversations of race. People are only uncomfortable when this topic arises because of their own ignorance. Recognising our privilege is key in support and building the movement. We Say…
Black Lives Matter!
At Middlesex Students’ Union. we pledge to call out racism when we see it. We pledge to actively work to eradicate the injustices. We pledge to educate ourselves and support the education of others. We pledge to support our Black students in representation, including our Black Students’ Liberation Group and Africian-Caribbean Society, and ensure their voices are listened to across our campus, community and beyond. We pledge to continue to work towards the eradication of BAME and Black students’ attainment gaps. We pledge to make you feel safe and respected. We pledge our support to…
Black Lives Matter!
Anas Badar, MDXSU President
Tahmina Choudhery, MDXSU Vice President Professional & Social Sciences
Lucy Holland, MDXSU Vice President Arts & Creative Industries
Khalid Abumaye, MDXSU Vice President Science & Technology
What can you do to support the movement?
You can educate yourself. It isn’t the responsibility of Black people to have to endlessly explain the racism they experience and what you can do to help. There are plenty of resources, books and articles you can read. Ideas of where to start can be found here.
Books:
- The New Jim Crow: mass incarceration in the age of colour blindness – Michelle Alexander
- So you want to talk about race – Ijeoma Olou
- The Next American Revolution: sustainable activism for the twenty first century – Grace Lee Boggs
- Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge
- Girl, Woman, Other - Bernardine Evaristo
- Brit(ish) - Afua Hirsch
- Freedom Is A Constant Struggle - Angela Davis
- The Fire Next Time - James Baldwin
- When They Call You A Terroist: Black Lives Matter Memoir - Patrisse Khan-Cullors & Asha Bandele
- White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism - Robin DiAngelo & Michael Eric Dyson
- How To Argue With a Racist - Adam Rutherford
- Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower - Brittney Cooper
- An African American and Latinx History of the United States - Paul Ortiz
- The Colour of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority - Ellen D. Wu
- Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race - Debby Irving
- More can be found here (10 Books About Race to Read Instead of Asking A Person Of Colour To Explain Things To You)
Articles:
- ‘The Coronvairus Was an Emgerncy Until Trump Found Out Who Was Dying' (May 8 2020, Adam Serwer, The Altantic) Read Here
- 'Who Gets to be Afraid in America' (May 12 2020, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, The Altantic) Read Here
Podcasts:
- Black Woman Working.., "Created by Sheri Nicole, Black Woman Working is a podcast that informs, connects and protects the spirit, honor, and vulnerability of black women as they work on and through life's adversities and possibilities, while sharing their stories, growth, and accomplishments!"
- Interesectionality Matters. "The Podcast that brings intersectionality to life". Found Here
- The Stoop. "Stroies from Across the Black Diaspora". Found Here
- Yo, Is This Racist?. "Yo, Is This Racist?, hosted by Andrew Ti, is now a weekly podcast! Every Wednesday, Ti, co-host Tawny Newsome, and their guests answer questions from fan-submitted voicemails and emails about whether or not something is, in fact, racist."
- Blakedemik TV. Found Here
Petitions:
- Justice for George Floyd. Sign Here.
- #JusticeforFloyd Color of Change Petition. Sign Here
- Battle Racism by updating GCSE reading lists. Sign Here
Write To Your Local MP:
- UK Government: Take Racial Justice Seriously. Template letter and information on how to contact your local MP can be found here.
Additional Anti-racism resources have been put together by #TeamMDX, these resources are aimed at helping us all educate ourselves and can be found here
You can donate. Following recent events and the death of George Floyd many fundraising channels have been sent up to support those directly and indirectly effected by the death and protests taking place. There are also official donations pages to support the bail payments of those arrested and future campaigning efforts by the Black Lives Matter movement. A quick search and you can find one you believe appropriate.
You can speak out. Social media has proven a strong platform for the movement so don’t be afraid to add your voice (#BlackLivesMatter) or attend any of the marches taking place near you.
Please remember to wear protective masks, take food and water and were possible maintain the rules of social distancing.
You can also get involved with our Black Students Liberation Group here or our African-Caribbean Student Group here.
