WALLY STREET JOURNAL ISSUE 18
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Photo by Marika Mamerga
Contents Meet The Editors BLACK. Some Photos from the BLM Protest Black History Bites Cultural Appropriation within the World of Fashion Anti-Racism Books to Read Guilty Until Proven Innocent Art Spark in a Fire Movies to Understand the BLM Movement Art Reverse Racism No Problem Colourism Selfless Thank you
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Source: The Guardian
Meet The Editors
Anna Gungaloo Hi! I’m Antara and I love being one of the editors for the WSJ. The Black Lives Matter movement is extremely important to me and to all of us, so this mini magazine is our way to educate, empower, and hear your voices!
Hi, I’m Anna and I’m really glad to be taking this opportunity to act as artistic director of the Wally Street Journal. It poses an exciting new challenge and an interesting opportunity to make use of my creativity. I look forward to creating for you.
Antara Singh
Hi I'm Pragati and I'm really excited to be one of the editors of the Wally Street Journal as I have always loved reading!
Pragati Gupta 3
BLACK.
By Raolat Olaogun
A gun to the head A knee to the neck Breathing less and less We did not ask for this Honest smiles meet with hostility Humans treated like animals Subtle segregation With unlabelled tables BLACK / BROWN / WHITE A gun to the head A knee to the neck Breathing less and less We did not ask for this Head up hood down Caged with politeness Unreciprocated respect Minorities are the majority BLACK / WHITE A gun to the head A knee to the neck Breathing less and less We did not ask for this Men women children all at risk Practice for police Don't run , don't reason , Respect Respect is what we ask for in return WHITE A gun to the head A knee to the neck Breathing less and less We did not ask for this We want to live We choose to live Let us live
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Some photos from the BLM protest Marika Mamerga
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Cultural appropriation within the world of fashion: a familiar injustice By Kaisha-Wade Speid
The notion of cultural appropriation is something that has been sweeping the world of fashion in recent years. Cultural appropriation can be defined as “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society”, or in simpler terms, taking aspects from an ethnic minority’s culture and claiming them as your own, without any respect for its origins. There are countless examples of big-name brands in this realm such as Gucci, Dior, Vogue and Marc Jacobs, being accused of shameless cultural appropriation, which has been criticised to further the oppression of ethnic minorities. However, others have argued that it is simply designers taking inspiration from other cultures and reinventing what they see for their audience, leaving us to question if it really is as big as an issue as it some claim, or if this is just a sign of the times - an obvious and blatant result of the diverse and multi-ethnic society in which we live in. New York Fashion Week of 2016 saw Marc Jacobs models (who were majority white) sporting multicoloured woollen pieces in their hair which very closely resembled dreadlocks, with stylist Guido Palau claiming was a homage to the era of “Club kids”. Whilst this “presentation of genius” was praised by some fashion commentators, it also proved to be very problematic online, with the masses taking to social media to rant about what they have seen. To many, the discontent expressed by so many may seem to be an utterly outrageous reaction to something so trivial such as a hairstyle. However, the true extent of the issue surfaces when we see some of the negative repercussions black people have faced as a result of wearing these same hairstyles. In 2013 in the state of Alabama, a black woman named Chastity Jones had her offer of employment at Catastrophe Management Solutions withdrawn when she refused to cut off her dreadlocks, resulting in a racial discrimination lawsuit against the company. Despite the court ruling in favour of Chastity, stating that the company were in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this just demonstrates the harsh consequences of being black in society; the inability to wear your hair just as it grows from your head in fears of appearing unprofessional and unkempt, whilst white people are able to do the same thing and receive nothing but praise for the same styles. This unfortunate tale of oppression and discrimination of ethnic minorities has been told in many different forms throughout the years. Whilst white designers continue to fetishize and rebrand immutable elements of black/brown/Latino culture, it is members of those communities who endure unimaginable hardships, trying to fit into the Eurocentric beauty standard of which we are succumbed by. Even so much to the point that certain states in the USA have enacted legislation to outlaw discrimination based on natural hairstyles to do with race e.g. cornrows, box braids and dreadlocks.
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The actions of these reputable fashion brands clearly demonstrates how easy it is to take advantage of BAME culture with no regards of the impacts of your actions. In a world rich with different cultures and traditions, we must aim to appreciate and develop our understanding surrounding these aspects, taking the time to learn about their origins and impacts. Without this consideration, the selfish motivation behind cultural appropriation will continue, alongside the discrimination of ethnic minorities that it brings with it. Cultural harmony depends upon the absence of ignorance, which leads to more awareness and acceptance of others. In fashion, we are faced with a plethora of beautiful and creative content enjoyed by people of all backgrounds, which must not be used as a tool of subjugation in order to maintain the damaging image of white supremacy within society, further maintaining the idea that even fashion can be political.
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Anti-Racism Books to Read These are just a few suggestions but of course there are so many more books out there!
Reviews from Penguin and Waterstones
A powerful study of the women’s liberation movement in the U.S., from abolitionist days to the present, that demonstrates how it has always been hampered by the racist and classist biases of its leaders.
A searing novel, at once sweeping and intimate: a story of love and race centred around a man and woman from Nigeria who seemed destined to be together--until the choices they are forced to make tear them apart. A blistering expose of how entrenched white privilege is in modern society, this book digs deep into the racial prejudice. Packed with practical exercises and enlightening socio-political context, the book of the blog offers numerous ways of transforming the discourse surrounding institutionalised racism.
Beautifully woven from personal narrative, reimagined history, and fresh, emotionally charged reportage, Between the World and Me clearly illuminates the past, bracingly confronts our present, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward.
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Stirring and provocative, How to be an Antiracist skewers smug self-satisfaction about liberal credentials by stating that we are all complicit in racist incidents. Only by assertive ‘antiracism’ can such appalling abuse and attack begin to be curbed. An incendiary polemic from an acknowledged authority on the subject. A charged and necessary wake-up call to pervasive, institutionalised racism, Eddo-Lodge’s searing polemic reconstitutes the frame of the argument around race, removing it from the hands of those with little experience of its resonances. From ambient and lazy cultural stereotyping to open hostility, it is a clarion call of understanding. Immensely influential and profoundly moving, Baldwin’s twin letters on his childhood in Harlem and the omnipresent evil of racism in American society were pivotal in the galvanising of the US civil rights movement. Unfailingly eloquent and brimming with passion and heartache, it frames the battles of the 1960s in an urgent and ever more relevant context for the modern era. Covering everything from the police, education and identity to politics, sexual objectification and the far right, Natives speaks directly to British denial and squeamishness when it comes to confronting issues of race and class that are at the heart of the legacy of Britain's racialised empire.
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Guilty Until Proven Innocent By Aleena Kamran
I felt so helpless, as if I had no choice. I wouldn’t let them put words in my mouth, tell them what they want to hear. I was walking home from school and hadn’t done anything wrong, so I had nothing to worry about, right? It was just me - a 16 year old, black boy, who’s way taller than the average kid my age, in a country where people like me are born guilty until proven innocent, who’s got everything to lose - encircled by 6 police officers who can do and say anything without being penalised or doubted and who’s word everyone will believe. I had done everything my parents had told me to do when I am put into a situation like this : my hands were visible to the police officers, my hood was down and I was maintaining eye contact. But I could still feel their eyes - see their eyes - boring into me so accusingly- burning holes of shame onto my very soul. Everyone who walked past me watched me suspiciously, as if I was a criminal. The voices, the disapproving muttering of people walking by, words like “another one” and “no surprise there” didn’t help either. My cheeks were on fire and it felt like every second I was standing there - trapped - with passers by looking at like I was no more than the dirt under their shoes, the fire was stoked anew, burning more than the previous moment. Twice they asked my name, ignoring that I had asked them why I had been stopped. I had to keep my cool, not raise my voice and stay patient. I wouldn’t give them a reason to to keep me for longer than necessary. But all I could think about was how I was going to be late to pick up my two younger sisters from school because my mum - a nurse - was working a double shift. My dad passed away a few years ago and since then it’s been difficult for my mum to juggle everything alone, so I help her do things between school, athletics training and my part time job. I was brought back to the present when one of the officers came right up to my face and barked at me to tell them my name. I winced as his spit flew from his mouth and landed on my nose and cheeks. I slowly raised my arm to wipe my face against the sleeve of my blazer and replied, “ I’m not legally obliged to answer that question.” I remembered to keep my tone neutral and looked him in the eyes, and asked once again why I had been stopped. “There’s been a rise in crime in this area and you match the description of someone who reported to be carrying a weapon, drugs and stolen property”. I couldn’t help but smirk. I go to a private school (which I worked my arse off to get an academic and athletics scholarship for) in a white neighbourhood, it was the end of the school day, hence the roads where filled with all the white pupils leaving; none of them where stopped or even glanced at by any of the police officers. I was one of the only black students in the whole school and that was reason enough for them to think that I was involved in some kind of illegal activity. I was asked how old I was and where I was going. “Well as you can see I’m wearing school uniform, so I’m between the ages of 5 and 16, so you can take your pick. And considering the time is 3:00, I think it’s quite obvious I’m going home from school.” Shoot. As soon as I’d replied I realised I hadn’t kept a calm and neutral tone, and had been very sarcastic. Not a clever move. The officers scowled at me and told to not to be so cocky. One of them called me “so predictable for ‘one of them’”. Suddenly, I felt a buzzing from the black pocket of my trousers and then my ring tone played out loud. Without any thought I reached back and pulled out my phone. “KEEP YOUR HANDS UP WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!” one of the police officers shouted. Everyone on the street stopped where they were and turned to watch. I dropped my phone onto the pavement and put my hands up. The officer took my phone and I caught a glimpse of the screen, as it was still ringing. 12
“But it’s my mum! You have to let me pick it up! She’s working a 15 hour shift at the hospital and I needed to be there to pick up my sisters! Please she’ll worry!” I pleaded. The officers took no notice and my phone was put on silent and put into an officer’s pocket. “ this is in our possession until the search is over and if you’re free to go,” he said, emphasising the if. I was stripped of my blazer, hoodie and shoes, was put into handcuffs and was pressed against a brick wall and they aggressively patted my down over and over again. It was mid November and I was freezing, only wearing my school shirt, trousers. I was being pushed against the wall and struggling to breathe. “I can’t breathe, have you finished?” I asked with difficulty. I felt like I was going to pass out, but just in time I was turned around and my back was pressed against the cold wall. I winced as a female officer twisted my wrists into an unnatural position. I was kept standing in the cold, wearing barely anything as they thoroughly checked my school bag. My pencil case was checked three times. After what felt like forever I was let out of the handcuffs. They said I was free ‘for now’ and left me with the content of my school bag strewn across the pavement, along side my blazer, shoes, hoodie and phone. I put my stuff in my bag, put on the rest of my clothes and looked at my phone. I should’ve picked up my sisters over half an hour ago and had too many missed calls and messages from my mum to count. I ran to the bus stop and as I waited for the bus I wondered what I’d done to have this happen to me. This was the first time I’d been stopped purely because of my skin colour, and it’s definitely not the last, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. But what was my crime? My crime was walking while black, talking while black, breathing while black.... A damning reflection of the society we live in today, all over the world. The society where black men are born Guilty until proven Innocent. People of colour are dying all over the world because of racism and a stereotype people have engraved in their heads of us. We need to stand together and make those in power acknowledge through their actions that BLACK LIVES MATTER
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Kinza Iqbal
Spark in a Fire
Sarita Williams
These words come from behind, from a time of dumb complacency, from a time I’d rather hide. These words come from sidelines, from opacity and a riotous mind. They may never touch America, they may not escape this hole, but the thing is they’re scratches, dripped in poison; they’re arrows and they’re pushing into change and into systems that are fortified with privileged gold, stolen gold, dirty stains and denial. They fall short, they are small, but they’re moving with light. Whether I have the right to write to right this I don’t know, but a white man stuck a war flame in an African-American man’s neck, so torches flew back, justice aflight, reigniting a fight. My word-weapons don’t claim moral perfection, or the worthiness of those torches flying back, but if the tiny spark they carry can help carry a weight in their own tiny way, then I’ll write and I’ll write and I’ll try to do right, for my friends and my comrades, our human connection, the fight for racial equality, deserve, at the very least, that. Do what you can.
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6 Movies You Can Watch to Understand the BLM Movement
Selma Fueled by a gripping performance from David Oyelowo, Selma draws inspiration and dramatic power from the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. -- but doesn't ignore how far we remain from the ideals his work embodied.
Do The Right Thing In Brooklyn, at the crossroads of two neighborhoods, it's literally the hottest day of the year. This summer heat will soon crystallize racial tensions between blacks and whites. Mookie, a young African American, works as a pizza delivery boy for the Italian-Americans Sal and Pino.
The Help Presenting itself as the story of how African-American maids in the South viewed their employers during Jim Crow days, it is equally the story of how they empowered a young white woman to write a best-seller about them, and how that book transformed the author's mother.
12 Years a Slave A free black man, Salomon Northup lives peacefully in New York State with his wife and two children. One day, he is approached by two men of whom he is not suspicious and who drug him. Kidnapped, deprived of his rights and his identity, he was then embarked in a boat bound for New Orleans.
The Hate U Give Starr witnesses the death of her best childhood friend, Khalil, who was shot and killed by a police officer. Faced with the many pressures of his community, Starr must find her voice and fight for what is right.
If Beale Street Could Talk Harlem, in the 1970s. While Tish and Fonny are preparing to have a child, the young man, victim of a miscarriage of justice, is imprisoned. 16 With the help of his family, Tish engages in a bitter fight to prove his innocence.
17 Najira Ahmed Begum
Reverse racism: does it exist? Disclaimer: this is completely my opinion, and it’s general so I’m not calling out anyone, and you’re entirely entitled to hold your own opinions on this. I used to believe reverse racism existed, because I thought surely anyone can be racist, it doesn’t matter whether they’re white, brown, black or anywhere in between. But it was once I considered what racism really was, as opposed to prejudice based on the colour of someone’s skin, that I concluded it couldn’t exist both ways. In my eyes, racism is not just prejudice against someone because of the colour of their skin, but it is prejudice plus power. White people have, for most of history, held the power, and have never even been persecuted because of the colour of their skin. I think we can say for certain that even if every single person of colour was opposed to white people (only a hypothetical situation), it would not affect their ability to get a good education, or a good job, because of the power they inherently hold in society. But if this happened the other way round and all white people had this view of black people, we can guess how devastating that effect would be. It’s interesting because it seems that by de-centring whiteness and giving a platform to the Black Lives Matter movement, suddenly we’re seeing a rise in this narrative of reverse racism, best seen with the ‘All Lives Matter’ movement. That isn’t the point, because there’s no invisible ‘only’ in front of Black Lives Matter. Yes, all lives should matter, and we all know that, but seeing how black people are treated in society tells us that we haven’t shown that all lives matter. They should have mattered from the beginning. I’ve seen the metaphor of ‘if a house on your street was on fire, would you expect the fire service to arrive and use hoses on all the houses?’. It’s very apt, because no, you wouldn’t. So when the basic human rights and freedoms of black people are threatened and taken away from them – literally, on fire, and have been for a very long time – how can we say that ‘all lives matter’? We can see this fear of reverse racism in every aspect of society. Let’s take university admissions quotas, for example, where affirmative action is trying to encourage more BAME students to apply. I’ve heard many complaints about this from people who say it’s your grades and your hard work, not your ethnicity, that should get you into a good university – a notion with which I completely agree. But the statistics completely undermined this idea. We’re lucky that our school is accepting and doesn’t discriminate, but black secondary students (except if they’re from independent schools because as we know, they have another level of privilege) statistically fail to progress, despite emerging from primary school as excellent students. What does this have to say about racism in our education system? And even with highly successful students applying to Oxbridge, only 3.1% in 2019 were black. That’s a shocking statistic, and so to dismiss affirmative action would be silly, because clearly, we need it. And when I see students getting into these universities because they’re the son of a lord, or the daughter of famous alumni – because of money and status – but people still get angry at the minority who has been helped by affirmative action, it’s hard not to be confused. One day, I hope that elite universities will actually represent society, and that this internal racism, which probably even unconsciously influences admissions decisions, will disappear. Police brutality is another aspect of racism that is pervasive, and despite looking at probably hundreds of posts on people’s Instagram stories about this, the level of this entrenched discrimination and outright violence cannot be expressed properly. And almost every other aspect of society: healthcare, housing, the job market, crime, movies, uninformed History syllabuses, you name it. It’s everywhere. I’m not here to impose my opinion on anybody, but merely to inform. But when we live in a society that has literally been built off the back of slavery, and isn’t equal or accepting, I wonder how reverse racism can exist. 18
Antara Singh
The poem represents a personal experience of living in Britain and some of the stereotypes assigned to Black people for being Black such as being good at dancing and being athletes and not academics. The book Propa Propaganda is a good read if you want to read poetry about being Black Caribbean in the UK.
No Problem- By Benjamin Zephaniah (Propa Propaganda, 2006)
I am not de problem But I bare de brunt Of silly playground taunts An racist stunts, I am not de problem I am born academic But dey got me on de run Now I am branded athletic, I am not de problem If yu give I a chance I can teach yu of Timbuktu I can do more dan dance, I am not de problem I greet yu wid a smile Yu put me in a pigeon hole But I am versatile. These conditions may affect me As I get older, An I am positively sure I hav no chips on me shoulders, Black is not de problem Mother country get it right, An juss fe de record, Sum of me best friends are white. (Translations from Patio (Jamaican) 'De' - The 'Fe'- for 'Yu' You 'juss' Just
Contributions from Chanelle Beaumont 19 Painting by Alinda Saintval
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A sketch by Chanelle Beaumont called 'Selfless’, trying to encourage Black Women to embrace their black features and hair Website: www.chanellebeaumont.com
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THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS SPECIAL CELEBRATORY ISSUE OF THE WALLY STREET JOURNAL
We hope you enjoyed reading this issue of the WSJ as much as we enjoyed making it! If you have any submissions for the next issue feel free to send them to agungaloo14@wallingtongirls.org.uk or asingh14@wallingtongirls.org.uk 22 over summer for our next issue when we come back to school