A take on the current racial inequalities in this country and the reality of prejudice towards black people. Will racism ever be cancelled and police brutality cease to exist?
When you think of all the protesting that took place in the last couple of months, the media presence created, the organisations and brands exposed for their lack of diversity. You’d have thought we were getting somewhere. How wrong were we to believe our voices were actually making a difference!?
I came across this news article of what occurred in North London, only two days ago, July 16th.
A white police officer put his knee on the neck of a black man he arrested and handcuffed… sound familiar?
It made a mockery of the Black Lives Matter movement, as our efforts to tackle racial inequality were thrown back in our faces. This incident was almost a carbon copy of what took place in Minneapolis to George Floyd on May 25th, minus the tragic death. So you can understand the frustration and anger as our patience is once again being tested. (See link below for the story via the Evening Standard).
This was just another example of the disregard towards a black life. If we take away the fact that this man was alleged to be in the possession of a knife, which is a crime in the UK, he was already detained. Already in handcuffs, his weapon taken from him. So what was the need for this excessive force? What kind of training do those in the police force go through, and do the rules of detaining a suspect change dependant on the colour of their skin? Probably.
How many more incidents like this go on when cameras aren’t out and witnesses are no where to be seen?
If we as black people and people of colour are constantly speaking up, saying we do not feel safe in our own country, city, community, then what are those who have the power to make changes going to do about it?
There is a force in social media too, as cancel culture exists. With it dominating the year we ask, when will racism be cancelled? Yes we can expose influencers, public figures and brands for their ignorance, but history is known to repeat itself. What is actually changing?
Will there be a drastic shift to tackle racism in my generation? Or will prejudice still be engraved in the minds of many, forcing us to still be protesting in 50 years time?
I’m tired of black being a crime. Tired of my skin colour not holding the same currency as that of someone who is not melanated.
As a black girl living in London, the lack of trust and further tension between civilians and the police force is worrying. So, we will continue to speak on the corrupt system until it is thoroughly looked at, checked, dismantled and rebuilt. Because living like this, is exhausting.
So what now? We can still spread our voices on various social media platforms, have conversations and discussions with those that need to hear this. Make it known to local MP’s, sign petitions, donate to causes. Promote that we will not be silenced when it comes to wanting our basic human rights. To be treated as equals!
And Londoner’s we can still protest. We can’t allow the momentum of the movement to slow down. Check out All Black Lives UK on Instagram, a youth led group who organise protests every Sunday in central London!
-Seraphina
Words By Seraphina 
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