We, along with our colleagues at Campaigners Stroud Against Racism, believe that the statue is based on demeaning imagery of a time gone by when Gloucestershire profited from the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans.
Women's Equality Day 2021
Written by Morayo Omogbenigun, Research Assistant for RACE and BSWN placement student.
Women’s Equality Day is an American holiday on the 26th of August celebrating the 19th Amendment, which gave women in the USA voting rights in 1920. While this was seen as a hallmark achievement in first wave feminism, women of colour have historically been left out of mainstream feminism. At the time, African American women wanted the vote in order to empower their communities by voting people of colour into office while white women sought out the vote in order to be on par with their husbands.
A Reflection on Current Events in Afghanistan
The people of Afghanistan are now facing more fear and devastation after decades of violence and we at BSWN heartbroken that as a country we aren’t doing more to help. The U.K. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said that the U.K. will waive border rules to allow Afghan asylum seekers to enter the U.K. without a passport. While this is to be welcomed, resettling 5,000 people this year is not enough.
Marking the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
Written by Tobi Odanye, Research Assistant for RACE and BSWN placement student
The 22nd of August 2021 marks the second anniversary of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts or Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
The international recognition of this day, founded by the United Nations, represents an effort to raise awareness for what in the modern world should be respected as fundamental human rights. Indeed, as per Article 9 of the Equality Human Rights Act, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes the freedom to change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private”.
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
There are over 476 million indigenous peoples living in 90 countries across the world, accounting for 6.2 per cent of the global population. Although numerous indigenous peoples worldwide are self-governing and some have been successful in establishing autonomy in varying forms, many indigenous peoples still come under the ultimate authority of central governments who exercise control over their lands, territories and resources.
Nelson Mandela Day
Read our Special blog by Angelique Retief on the annual International Nelson Mandela Day. In November 2009, in recognition of the former South African President's contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day. It was created to inspire people to embrace the values of democracy and contribute towards the ideals of ensuring a just and fair society and motivate a campaign to get the public involved in charitable activities.
The Windrush Compensation Scheme - Adding Insult to Injustice
Food Hub Consortium Project 2020 - 2021
Food poverty affecting Black and Minoritised communities in Bristol precedes COVID-19, but has worsened because of it. COVID19’s devastation exposes long-standing inequalities which Black and Minoritised communities experience daily. Black and Minoritised communities live in overcrowded social housing/private rented sector, experience higher levels of unemployment, low pay, educational and health inequalities.
Our Director Sado Jirde's reflection on Beyond Museums in the Aftermath of Colston
A Reflection on the anniversary of the toppling of the Colston Statue
On this day one year ago, we watched as the Colston Statue was pulled down during the Black Lives Matter protests in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder by a police officer. Amid the Black Lives Matter protests, the far-right backlash, the coronavirus pandemic and severe economic downturn, the UK has faced a year of discontent.
