next steps... Since the advent of social media, social movements tend to follow a depressingly familiar cycle, as support for a cause, regardless of how worthy it is, inevitably dies down after a period of time. With that in mind, writer Addie Kenogbon has compiled a list of resources, individuals and organisations you can engage with to ensure that the fight for racial equality continues to impact meaningful change in society. Bring up the topic of race and racial injustice and you’ll be able to see and hear the awkward shuffling of feet, clearing of throats and averted glances from a mile away. But you need only take a look at the comments under the recent Conservative Party Father’s Day tweet or the uproar at British brand Fred Perry’s choice to use multiracial models for its new line of t-shirts to see how ingrained racism and racial injustice is in the fibres of our country. Yet there are still so many who’ll blindly fire off that same tired rhetoric that ‘The UK is fine. We don’t have racism here.’ Or, ‘Those black deaths, issues of racial injustice, inequality and police brutality are a US problem. We’re really lucky to not have any of that here in the UK.’ SUPPORT Black Friends A creative platform that aims to raise awareness on all things race and identity through the power of blogs, podcasts, panel discussions and live music. New Art Exchange The largest gallery in the UK dedicated to culturally diverse contemporary visual arts. All Black Connect (ABC) New Art Exchange’s young people’s collective. The team design projects that explore issues impacting young black people in the UK today. Nottingham Women’s Centre An organisation which supports women in the city seeking asylum, facing extreme poverty or escaping abuse. Himmah A grassroots community-based initiative providing services to tackle poverty, racism and social exclusion. Community Recording Studios Set up in 1991, the Community Recording Studio, based in St Anns, teaches film and video skills as well as music, giving youngsters access to professional equipment and key industry contacts, including musicians like Estelle and Aloe Blacc. AMPLIFY NOTTINGHAM BLACK CREATIVES There are lots of really talented black creatives in Nottingham covering a range of genres. Here are just a few to support:
Still don’t see it? Then it’s time to take a closer look. It’s there when you look at the fact that in the UK, according to the Home Office and Ministry of Justice, in 2018-19 black people were more than nine times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, were three times more likely to be arrested and more than five times more likely to have force used against them. It’s there when you look at racial bias in reporting and the different ways press report stories relating to black people. And sometimes, it’s a little more subtle and in the casual questions of “Where are you from? But where are you really from?”. Or it’s in the fact that a recent study by Nuffield College’s Centre for Social Investigation showed
Saffron Gray An emerging singer-songwriter with a soulful nineties and contemporary R&B sound. Tony Sparkz Eighties psychedelia. Reminiscent of Prince but with bags of cool synth. Ella Knight A great up-and-coming R&B singer-songwriter. Daudi Matsiko Singer-songwriter Daudi couples enrapturing magical vocals with thought-provoking heartfelt lyrics. His songs are an iconic blend of folk and indie. Nate Wilson Owner and creative director of Mimm, a street fashion store and platform for Nottingham creatives. Mimm has a radio station and regularly hosts live audio-visual events.
that UK job applicants with ‘foreign’ sounding names are less likely to receive call-backs for interviews than those with English-sounding names Given that Nottingham has such a long history of black locals residing within the city since the 1600s and that BAMEs make up 34.7% of the city’s population today, it’s never been more important for the city to come together and fight racial injustice, building stronger foundations of unity. However, it’s about taking time to have those uncomfortable discussions about race, to listen, to get educated and step up in a very real way. Here are just a few ways you can support the cause right here in Nottingham and the UK.
STEP UP Get involved with Race on the Agenda (ROTA), a leading UK policy think-tank that focuses on the issues affecting BAME communities. Join the Black Lives Matter UK – Nottingham Activists group. Their Facebook page is full of useful resources and information as well as info for how you can get involved here in the UK. Black Lives Matter UK are also running a Go Fund Me campaign. Become a member of Hope Not Hate, an organisation established to “offer a more positive and engaged way of doing anti-fascism”. Email your local MP and ask them what they’re doing within the community to publicly support racial equality and anti-racism.
Kim Thompson An illustrator whose creations have garnered her a following across Nottingham and beyond. Her illustrations feature bold colours coupled with retro glam.
DONATE Stop Hate UK An organisation set up to help tackle hate crime and discrimination happening here in the UK, while encouraging reporting and providing support for the individuals and communities affected by it.
SHEAfriq A Nottingham-based collective of creative females of black heritage.
The United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC) An organisation set up to support those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
Black Writers & Artists Network A network for creative writers of African and Caribbean descent.
words: Addie Kenogbon
