WHY THE BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST WAS SO IMPORTANT TO ME We asked Southsea student Sienna Chin to give us her thoughts on attending the recent Black Lives Matter protest in Portsmouth, and she shared why it was such an important event for the city.
R
acism isn’t just being called a racial slur. It’s
any setting, thus improving the quality of life and
being followed with a closer eye than the rest
race relations for all.
of the customers in a packed shop, it’s having
your hair petted and constant comments on how
exotic, outlandish, and rare it is.
Black people were reported as being “over-policed and under-protected” by the Metropolitan Police in the Macpherson report (1999), and it is still
It’s the worry of losing friends over racially insensitive jokes, seeming “too sensitive” and never seeing them again.
incredibly relevant today. Within Hampshire alone, black people are 12 times more likely to be stopped and searched than their
Or keeping those friends and knowing that they find
white counterparts (Crime, justice and the law,
your experiences funny but being ‘reassured’ that they
2020). This causes black communities to feel as
would “never say the ‘n-word’ around you”.
though the police are not on their side, and therefore
It’s having uncomfortable discussions with people who
creates a tense relationship in which black people
think your desire to be treated equally is up for debate.
are hesitant to contact them in times of need.
After my first direct experience of racism, I guarded
The Guildhall Square protest changed my entire
myself by lowering the expectations I held of my
outlook on Southsea. I was, in the best way
peers to stand up for their friends of colour in the face
possible, so surprised that this many people from
of ignorance and adversity. Social gatherings with
Southsea and wider Portsmouth were present. They
people like these, only ever left me feeling even more
showed so much compassion and empathy for their
alien and disheartened, and caused further damage
black peers and the global movement. Every white
to my own self-esteem and identity.
protester was listening to our experiences, and are
When I first heard about the Portsmouth and Southsea BLM protest, I felt nervous, I knew it was finally time to speak up in a place that was nothing
still using their own voices to educate others who struggle to empathise due to a lack of black, asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) people in their lives.
like a classroom; a space that is inviting,
It was heartwarming to see so many familiar faces,
encouraging, an area for sharing new ideas. It
being greeted by people I knew and receiving
was the place where I had, on occasion been
many supportive messages afterwards.
made to feel alienated and vulnerable: the streets of Southsea.
I was reminded that BLM is so important, as it uplifts and inspires so many young people from
“Black Lives Matter” means we matter too.
BAME backgrounds and will undoubtedly make
The BLM movement is a peaceful form of activism, not only about protesting against
their experiences in the world, both professionally and socially, so much better.
injustices, but also petitions for change, working
The happiness and belonging I finally feel, after
with leaders of communities, interaction with local
being a part of such a movement has had a huge
councillors and governing bodies, and actively
impact on my life. I now feel free to use my voice
challenging
and to feel at home in the city that I love.
forms
of
racial
prejudice
in
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