Black Lives Matter

Statement and Resources


*This is a live resources guide and we will continue to add to it. If you would like to contribute any additional resources, please send through any details to hi@comicsyouth.co.uk

‘It’s up to all of us – Black, white, everyone – no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets.’ – Michelle Obama


We at Comics Youth are disgusted, shocked, and outraged regarding the murder of George Floyd and the continued violent response against the BAME community.  We must speak out. We must stand together with the victims of murder, marginalisation, and repression of our siblings because of the colour of their skin, and with those who seek justice through protests on an international scale. Now is not the time to be silent.

George Floyd was a son, a brother, a father, and a friend. He was a 46-year old Black man who died when arrested by four white Minneapolis policemen, of whom at least one knelt on his neck for almost 9 minutes. They did not just murder George Floyd. They STOLE him.  They stole him from his family, his community and from his own future.

The senseless murder of George Floyd was the result of inhumane brutality that is perpetuated by a culture of white supremacy. What happened to George Floyd was the heart-breaking consequences of a racist and prejudiced system and culture which has treated Black bodies as the enemy from the very beginning of modern society. Floyd is the latest in a long list of names that stretches back across decades and continents. Some of those names we know- Joy Gardner, Ahmaud Arbery, Len Briggs, Breonna Taylor, Christopher Alder, Oscar Grant, Eric Garner, Tayvon Martin, Olaseni Lewis, Michael Brown, Emmet Till, Martin Luther King, Jr- most we do not know. Just last week, an inquiry was announced into the 2015 death of Sheku Bayoh!

This is not just a US issue

or a UK issue,

it is global and systemic.

During the past 30 years, there have been 1741 deaths in police custody within the UK, according to the Inquest. The proportion of BAME deaths in custody, of which restraint is a feature (much like the case of George Floyd), is more than two times greater than other deaths in custody.

While it has been more than 20 years since, it is also important to note that in 1999, following the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the subsequent failings by those who investigate it, the Macpherson report found that the London Metropolitan police force was ‘institutionally racist’. The systems and structures who systemically murder BAME people must be brought to justice. At the same time, we must embark on the more complicated work of delivering justice for all the victims of violence and racism. Those who are ignored by those in power.

As a majority white organisation, we acknowledge that we need to do more to be anti-racist and work towards dismantling white supremacy. We stand in solidarity with the protests in the US and across the World, and the fight for justice for George Floyd and all black citizens who have been murdered and oppressed by their states.

Words of solidarity can be powerful, but real, meaningful change in the fight against racism and white supremacy will only come through action. Cultural diversity and inclusion are the building blocks of who we are at CY, the work we publish, the young people we work with and the community members we reach. We recognise that we have a bigger part to play and will embark on the process of learning to become a better anti-racist platform.  As such, we are going to educate ourselves as a team so that we can, in turn, more thoroughly embed anti-racist values in all of our work

Here is a compiled list of articles, recommendations, websites, donation platforms and resources we have found practical, thought provoking and/or informative. Many of the below resources are suitable for young children (we have included lists of children’s books and comics) and we have marked these with an asterisk. It is important to note that most resources are more suitable for teenagers and adults. These actions all related to broadening knowledge and examining inequality and bis in all its forms.

At Comics Youth, we recognise the fact we aren’t perfect and that in truth, we are lifelong learners, and we are aware that both individually and as a collective we have a lot of work to do.

LGBTQIA POC Solidarity

Not only do BIPOC have to fight battles every day for purely existing, LGBTQIA POC face 'double discrimination' for the colour of their skin AND their sexual orientation, gender expression or identity. Within the LGBTQIA community, the history of our rights and how they came into fruition are not well known or remembered. We must remember the Black roots of our history. The Pride Movement began with the Stonewall riots against police brutality and oppression in 1969, which was largely led by LGBTQIA+ POC (Stormé DeLarverie, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson), making Pride, at its core, a voice for intersectionality since its inception. We must also remember that Black roots of Pride Month. This connection goes to the beginnings of the Black Lives Matter Movement as personified by Kei Williams, a self-described Black transmasculine person, who is a Black Lives Matter founder and is an organizer with the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.

The impact that BIPOC have had on creating greater equity, respect and rights for the LGBTQIA+ community is unprecedented. With noted leaders of the Civil Rights Movement being James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Pauli Murray and Bayard Rustin. All of whom were either LGBTQIA and made connections between black rights and queer rights . BIPOC people have been fighting for the rights as LGBTQIA+ community members and leaders too. The strength and power held in fighting for your communities is vital, and white people need to step up and do more to be Anti-Racist.

We are all a collective community, LGBTQIA+ people face enough discrimination, there is no place for isolation without the community. Community = Communal and it is a communal effort to fight for LGBTQIA+ POC’s rights in spaces that often aren’t designed for them. Much like spaces aren’t often designed for queer people. Inclusion and education are needed, and remember who paved the way for LGBTQIA+ people all over the globe!

Understand that racism is bigger than police brutality and the publicised racism you see online and in the media. To unpick this from an LGBTQIA lens, racism is both:

·       Systemic- A type of racism that is embedded into society, it is reflected in our laws and procedures. For example, BIPOC LGBTQIA+ people may be supported legally through the Equality Act 2010 with race and sexuality/gender expression being protected characteristics yet…

·       Systemically- which is the ACTIONS brought about in an organised way from laws and procedures may mean that BAME LGBQTIA+ people still face discrimination because of their ethnicity and/or race due to procedures such as mass incarceration, and one in five BIPOC LGBTQIA+  people experience unequal treatment from healthcare staff because they are LGBTQIA+, compared to one in eight LGBTQIA+ people. When accessing services, QTIPOC can suffer from inappropriate curiosity about their orientation, gender identity, and even cultural background.

·       Understand the issues that are specific to BIPOC LGBTQIA+ people, such as religious intolerance with strong cultural ties for POC, Criminal Injustice as the National Transgender Discrimination Survey found disproportionately high rates of arrest and incarceration amongst Black transgender people when compared to all other racial and ethnic groups, and BAME LGBTQIA+ being more likely to be a victim of  hate crime violence due to the “Double Discrimination” factor.

 

Immediate actions we can take

1.     Protest

There are a number of peaceful protests taking place across the UK. When protesting, please remember that we are in a pandemic and that it is important that we still stay safe. For all events, be sure to adhere to government rules on social distancing regulations. It is advised that you wear protective masks, gloves and bring plenty of water with you.

Please also remember that it has been confirmed by the UK Office of National Statistics that COVID-19 has a significantly higher impact on the black community, alongside people of Bangladeshi and Pakistani, Indian and Mixed ethnicities than that of those who are white.

Please only attend if you do not have symptoms of COID-19.

If you do attend, it is advised that you self-isolate for 14 days following the event. Please check all guidelines relating to individual events and the government advice in your area.

2.     Write to your MP

We are joining organisations such as Amnesty International to implore the UK government to halt the sale and export of tear gas, rubber bullets and riot shields-which are being used against protestors-to the U.S

One way of adding weight to this call is by writing personally to your MP demanding the immediate suspension of exports, being sure to include your full name and address so they can see you are an actual constituent.  Find your local MP at writetothem.com.

We also call on our MP’s, Headteachers and school Governors to be more racially inclusive and broaden the UK curriculum to acknowledge the UK’s historical and present stance on racist systems in society, in our legal procedures and in our prisons. As well as honouring Black History Month by educating pupils of the struggles and historical protests and social movements caused by the black community fighting back a system designed against them. Just like the current Black Lives Matter movement.

 

3.     Sign petitions which promote lasting intersectional change:

Immediate action is crucial but it’s important to look at all the factors that racism affects and make sure our anti-racism work covers all areas of life, and facilitates deep, longer term change in black communities. From childbirth to schools and businesses, here are some petitions to rethink the way we learn and buy:

 

4.     Join the campaign for an enquiry into BAME deaths

MP Diane Abbott and Stand Up to Racism are campaigning for an independent public inquiry into the disproportionate number of BAME deaths due to COVID-19.

The campaign is calling for:

  • A public inquiry into the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on BAME communities.

  • The record of the ethnic background of all COVID-19 patients as recommended by the British Medical Association.

  • No end to the lockdown until it is safe to do so.

Click here to sign and share the statement

5.     Support CRER by reading and sharing its work

CRER is a strategic anti-racist organisation based in Scotland, whose policy and research work highlights the evidence of the racial inequalities faced by minority ethnic people. Its aim is to change the structures that underpin racism and racial inequality and, in the organisation’s own words, “we need all the help we can get”. One of the keyways to do this is to help create sustained awareness of the work that needs to be done. CRER is asking allies to share its publications and resources with decision makers at your company, organisation, school, university or college. You can also sign up for email updates to hear about free events, training sessions, publications and resources.

6.     Commission BAME artist and creators

It breaks our hearts that BAME creators are discriminately represented in creator roles on an international scale. This is a great resource to find a black artist in fields like Illustration, Animation, Graphic Design and Comics!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1d9gokwVQLCOmqf8zfez6-yMRgHOq4P5veW7lfZF7BCs/htmlview?usp=sharing&pru=AAABcp8KJoo*s7O6vDe1uJ9BLKTMOjI7TA#

 

7.     Understand your privilege

To be Anti-Racist we must understand the right language to use, as language impacts thoughts and thoughts are what control the world. Here are some words you need to know to actively be Anti-Racist and support our LGBTQIA+ POC family.

·       Understand Racial Microaggressions- These are everyday negative actions such as slurs, insults or derogatory comments that are aimed to ethnic minorities in order to belittle them. These can be seen through failing to learn the correct pronunciation of a person’s name, or asking where someone is “really” from.

·       Know what Cultural Appropriation is- it is the act of taking on a culture or behaviour of a group that you do not belong to.  It can be healthy to promote exchanges of cultures and understand others way of life, but it becomes problematic when you stereotype these cultures and behaviours or begin to label it your own. These can be seen within the LGBTQIA+ community with white queer people adopting the language of BIPOC and coining it as their own, such as “yas queen” “tea” etc. These are phrases that originated in the queer Black community and have been appropriated in mainstream white LGBTQIA+ culture.

·       Colour Blind Racism is counterproductive! This notion is the idea that “you don’t see colour”, to someone who isn’t educated on this it may seem pretty progressive to say, but in fact it is invalidating POC and they want you to acknowledge their heritage, culture and identity- but not to discriminate or isolate them for this.


Resources

There are many awesome people and organisations doing amazing work to put as many accessible resources as possible in one place. Here is a guide to some that we have found, and we hope that they are helpful for you too.

What to check out online:

It’s important for non-black individuals to take responsibility for their own education on subjects related to racism. If you don’t feel like you have the right words or knowledge to speak up, this is a great opportunity to learn and make sure that you do. There are a number of excellent resources being shared and here’s a selection of some we’ve seen.

Booklists

Podcasts

If you absorb information better by listening, here is a whole range of podcasts that are available which discuss race, diversity, human rights and how best to get involved with anti-racism work. These are accessible mostly on Spotify, so there’s no excuse not to put these on instead of your favourite bops. Listen whilst you cook, whilst you exercise or whilst you travel.

  • The 1619- The NYT

  • The Code Switch-O.DJ & Tom

  • The Diversity Gap-Bethaney Wilkinson

  • Intersectionality Matters with Kimberle Crenshaw

  • Pod for the Cause- Civil and Human Rights

  • Pod Save the People- Crooked Media

  • The Nod-Gimlet

Anti-Racist organisations to


research and donate to

locally and nationally

 

Donation Platforms

  • Minnesota Freedom Fund- https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate

  • Black Lives Matter- https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

  • The Bail Project- https://bailproject.org/

  • Emergency Release Fund (https://emergencyreleasefund.com) Initially focused on keeping trans people out of NYC jail, the fund has expanded its mission during COVID-19 to include anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community.

  • The Okra Project (https://www.theokraproject.com)  Named in recognition of cooking traditions of the African diaspora, The Okra Project seeks to address the hunger crisis that Black trans people experience worldwide. Proceeds allow for Black trans chefs to travel to the homes of fellow Black trans folks and community spaces to provide food and company. Additional programs include the Okra Academy training program, the International Grocery Fund, and outings that bring Black trans people to theatre and other artistic spaces.


To watch

Education

Accounts to follow on social media:

For most of us, social media is a large part of the way we see the world, read the news, ingest information and indeed learn-especially during lockdown. It’s important that our digital landscapes are diverse, with the points of view of many different POC; and those from all different walks of life being regularly represented-as well as organisations working to change the world for the better! Whilst the below accounts are a good place to start, it’s fundamental that we push further too-like and share, but also reflect on what action you take into your daily life. Every Black voice is different and valid- as Candice Brathwaite says, speaking about racism is not always softly spoken and palatable.

Let’s remember! Some of the below accounts are educators and activists, but some are representing their personal lived experiences- If you are engaging within these spaces, please respect boundaries and value difference, in turn, remembering not to demand discussion, answers and labour, especially at this time when they may be experiencing a huge influx of new followers, pressure and stress.

Ibram X. Kendi @ibramxk

Tamika Mallory @tamikadmallory

Lady Phil @Msladyphil

Mona Chalabi @monachalabi

Rachel Cargle @rachel.cargle (Who we’ve previously mentioned)

Ijeoma Oluo @ijeomaoluo

Families Belong Together - @fams2gether

Mikaela Loach @mikaelaloach

Domestic Workers Alliance - @domesticworkers

Gal-dem Zine  - @galdemzine

Ravideep Kaur, Anti-racism Consultant - @ravideepkaur

Black Womens' Blueprint - @blackwomensblueprint

Erika Hart M. Ed @ihartericka

Equal Justice Initiative - @eji_org

UK Black Pride - @ukblackpride

Brittany Packnett Cunningham @mspackyetti

Munroe Bergdorf @munroebergdorf

Andrea Ranae @andrearanaej

Kuchenga Shenje @kuchenga

Candice Brathwaite @candicebrathwaite