Anndeloris Chacon, CEO of Bristol Black Carers, reflects on the Windrush Era in today’s special blog as part of our Windrush75 week series highlighting the different experiences of Caribbean post-war migrants, and celebrating the contributions they have made to Bristol and the UK.
Image source: Good Grief
On the 19th of June, 2023, Home Secretary Suella Braverman informed all police forces in England and Wales to “ramp up” the use of stop and search powers in efforts to stop knife crime and the “dangerous culture” of carrying weapons. This is a concerning development from the Home Secretary, when the disproportionate use of Stop and Search on minoritised communities has been well documented. Photograph: Steve Phillips/Alamy
On the 16th of June, 2023, Chief Constable Sarah Crew of the Avon & Somerset Police characterised the Avon & Somerset Police as “institutionally racist.” (Avon & Somerset Police, 2023) This conclusion was reached through tests and definitions established through decades of advocacy against racial discrimination in policing. This statement, having come from such a senior position, is a welcome addition to the fight against systemic racial injustice in the United Kingdom
The Telling Stories event on 22nd November 2022, was a powerful, social and introspective conversation about the art of storytelling. I know this because I was there. It asked critical questions that were extremely thought-provoking about how the UnMuseum project (as it stands today with this name) will tell stories. But it was also a general conversation for storytellers in all modes and forms, as well as an educational one.
The Cost-of-Living Crisis in Gloucester and the South West of England has had a severe impact on residents' health, access to healthcare, and overall quality of life. The research conducted by Money Expert and BSWN highlights the stark reality of the issue, with rent increases, salary decreases, and reliance on food banks becoming commonplace. The rising costs of living and inequalities in healthcare access have led to major health disparities, particularly for Black and Minoritised communities.
In this week of representation, inclusion, and workplace equality, remember to uplift Black voices, Black minds, and Black excellence in all its forms; advocate for a fair and just society for all, and remember that this work doesn’t stop at the end of the Week. BSWN is proud to spotlight Black leaders and share their perspectives on what inclusion truly means. Join us in this important mission and help create a more equitable world, not just for today or this week, but for the future.
BSWN recognises that the United Kingdom has many steps to take before it is a racially just society. CODE’s Evidence for Equality National Survey (EVENS) report, juxtaposed against previous reports on Racial Inequality, is unabashed in its claim that racism extends past singular, isolated instances of individual choice.
On Wednesday 7th December, we held the fourth and final event in our UnMuseum Culture & Heritage Programme autumn events. I Am Witness: The Role of Testimony in the Reparatory Justice Process. A highly reflexive, conscious dialogue between panellists and the audience, the role of testimony and truth in cultural reparations was elucidated.
Data shows that racial inequality in the education system is still a prevalent issue, as Black and Minoritised children are greatly overrepresented in exclusions and academic underachievement. This has been a recurring trend for many years and quite clearly demonstrates the iniquity in schools and colleges across the country.
Today, Tuesday 24th January 2023, marks the fifth UNESCO International Day of Education, a day that serves as both a celebration and an acknowledgment of the privileges and disadvantages of children worldwide. Access to free education should be a fundamental right; provided for any child, anywhere in the world. But this vision strays far from reality.
On Thursday the 19th of January, we joined forces with Allianz Personal to host an exciting series of workshops designed to help business owners unlock the full potential of technology. Guests indulged in delicious cuisine from Jikoni East Africa while listening to engaging presentations from Debra Kaye of LV= and Liam Holmes, Data & AI Innovations Lead at Allianz Personal.
2023 marks the 60th year anniversary of when the words “I have a dream…” were first uttered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. In our own fight for racial justice, we must remember the trails blazed by our elders and remember that their legacy was neither deemed palatable nor easily digestible, but was won through grit and resilience for a society where all are treated equally.
On Wednesday the 23rd of November we hosted a 'Meet the Funder' event at the Coach House where we heard from Lorna Henry, Funding Officer for The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF). We were delighted to be hosting a fully in-person meeting with our colleagues from the community sector to facilitate networking and exchange of ideas and advice.
This event ‘Telling Stories,’ included a very rich conversation between audience members and panelists about how the UnMuseum space will look and how its content will be presented. This deep discussion also covered how stories in an UnMuseum space should cover represent histories that are not taught in the mainstream – hidden stories – unexpressed stories.
