By Daisy Lewis, Megan Scott, Chloe Royle and Emily Burrell
The Quack is back from our brief hibernation whilst the team focused on university commitments. We hope all of our readers are doing well and are coping with the new normal that is life in lockdown! We were originally planning on breaking our hiatus with posts from our editors who are sadly leaving us this year, however, we have decided to come back earlier to speak on the important movement you will have seen in the news at the moment. Black lives have always and will always matter and what is currently going on in America and all over the world is devastating. George Floyd’s life was sadly one of many that have been lost due to police brutality – this has to change. Here at The Quack, we have compiled this post to help educate our readers, to inform you of what you can do to get involved in the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and to let students have their say on what their university can do to help.
How to support Black Lives Matter if you are unable to donate – Megan Scott
American Civil Liberties Union, ‘#Black Lives Matter’, <https://www.aclu.org/issues/racial-justice/race-and-criminal-justice/blacklivesmatter > American Civil Liberties Union (2020) [Accessed 6/6/2020]
How can I make a difference?
There are several ways you can show your support and contribute if you are unable to physically donate.
You can still make a difference even if you are unable to donate, by signing petitions and simply watching the videos listed below, you can directly contribute to change.
Instagram Resources
The company @maskhate2 on Instagram donate 100% of the profits from the sale of their face masks to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The ACLU is a non-profit organisation founded to ‘defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person…by the Constitution and the laws of the United States.’3
For every like that @maskhate receive on their post from the 5th of June, $0.25 will directly be donated to the ACLU. By liking the post and sharing it to your Instagram story, you can help support Black Lives Matter.
2 Mask Hate, <https://bit.ly/3cFWHrd >[Accessed 6/6/2020]
3 American Civil Liberties Union, <https://www.aclu.org/ > [Accessed 6/6/2020]
Petitions
The following list of petitions and videos were compiled by Caitlin Walker, you can view her website here https://catalinaxrosex.wixsite.com/blacklivesmatter
- Give Mandatory Life Sentence for Police Brutality https://www.change.org/p/department-of-justice-mandatory-life-sentence-for-police-brutality
- Raise the Degree of Murder Charge for Derek Chauvin https://www.change.org/p/minneapolis-district-attorney-raise-the-degree
- Prosecute Those Responsible for Death or Another Black Life, George Floyd (Four Officers Accountable; Minneapolis Police Department’s Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng) http://chng.it/c7Cxd5dcsD
- Justice for the Murder of George Floyd https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis
- Fire Officer Jared Campbell of Seattle Police Department – Hold him Accountable for his Actions http://chng.it/Vxd2xKryPy
- Teach the realities of British Imperialism and Colonialism in Schools http://chng.it/SjkRpChHLG
Videos
There are also a series of videos which are donating all ad revenue to support the cause. You can repeatedly watch these videos, play them in the background or even mute them whilst you do other things.
By allowing the video ads to play, money will be raised to support charities and organisations affiliated with the movement. Make sure that you do not skip any of the video advertisements and that your ad blocker is turned off.
- https://youtu.be/bCgLa25fDHM
- https://youtu.be/1HTgJzZAYnE
- https://youtu.be/v6Xe8N0FNTs
- https://youtu.be/slbNdBuQzKw
- https://youtu.be/WKo8OrBdLz8
Book recommendations – Chloe Royle
Over the past few weeks, I have become aware of the lack of diversity in my bookshelves. For someone who is such a big reader, I have subconsciously neglected reading books by black authors. This for me is not right and therefore, I have sought to remedy the lack of diversity by filling my shelves with books that I’ve wanted to read, yet never got my hands on. Here I will share some of these books, alongside the books by Black authors that I have read and enjoyed. I hope you will all consider buying and engaging with some of these books as a way to further your education of Black history.
- Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge
This book discusses the lack of knowledge of Black British history and the behaviour of those who refuse or fail to acknowledge racism in the United Kingdom. The author uses her anger at the privilege of ignorance to discuss parts of history that have been barely focussed upon. She also acknowledges her own previous lack of knowledge and emphasises the importance of understanding Black history. This book is perfect as a starting point for learning about racism and goes into the finer details of what it is like to be Black in the United Kingdom, in the past and at present.
- Girl, Woman, Other – Bernadine Evaristo
This book is INCREDIBLE. At first, I was sceptical due to there being numerous points of view but it worked so well! Evaristo writes a novel about being Black, largely in the UK over multiple generations. Families and friends tie together overtime and throughout countries in a way that makes you want to read on forever. I found myself wanting to know more about so many lives! It truly was a wonderful and impactful read.
- The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas
Finally, The Hate U Give is extremely relevant now and will always be. The story follows Starr, a young girl who witnesses the shooting of her best friend Khalil, who was unarmed. Starr experiences all of the pain and fear of the unjust murder and navigates how her world has changed. Angie Thomas captures emotions perfectly, making this read incredibly difficult but necessary for everyone. I’d recommend everyone goes away and reads this book ASAP. (Authors you should look into: Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie etc)
TV and film recommendations – Emily Burrell
The following information was sourced from online articles and recommendations. All original sources will be posted below.
- 13th – Netflix
13th is 2016 Netflix documentary directed by Ava DuVernay. Ava DuVernay also directed Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time and is ‘the first black woman to direct a live-action film earning $100 Million at the U.S. Box Office’1. 13th is named after the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery in the USA. However, the documentary explores the history of race inequality in America and America’s biased prison system.
- When They See Us – Netflix
When They See Us is a Netflix Drama based on the true story and is also directed by Ava DuVernay. The series follows the story of five young men who were falsely accused (and charged) with rape and assault following a series of attacks in Central Park in the late 1980s. The story follows their arrest, fight for innocence and life after their exoneration.
- The Hate You Give – Now TV
The Hate you give is a 2018 film based on Angie Thomas’ novel of the same name. The film follows Starr Carter, who witness the fatal shooting of her friend by a police officer. The film portrays the reactions and actions taken after shooting and the dynamics and complex relationships within Starr’s life.
- Noughts + Crosses – BBC
Noughts and Crosses is BBC adaption of Malorie Blackman’s young adult novel. The show follows a dystopian society in which the UK and Europe were colonised. The show explores a segregated society (mirroring the Jim Crowe Laws) which follows a subverted structure of 21st century Europe. The show follows the perspectives of Sephy Hadley and Callum McGregor as they try to navigate a friendship in a divided system.
- Orange Is The New Black – Netflix
Orange Is The New Black tackles many injustices within the American penal system. However, following a storyline in which a black inmate was murdered by a guard due to their use of excessive force, the show created the Poussey Washington Fund to support eight pre-existing no-profit organisations focused on ‘policy reform, immigrant’s rights and those effected by mass incarceration’2.
1 https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-wrinkle-budget-20160803-snap-story.html
https://secretmanchester.com/tv-shows-movies-black-history/
2 https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/pwf/pousseywashingtonfund
Black-owned businesses that could use your support – Daisy Lewis
It’s really important right now to support black-owned businesses. With the help of the many resources currently making their way around social media, I have compiled a list of black-owned businesses that you could use as an alternative to high-street brands.
Skincare Brands
Nyakio Beauty – https://www.nyakio.com/
Skin Buttr – https://skinbuttr.com/
Epara Skincare – https://www.eparaskincare.com/
Plant Apothecary – https://plantapothecary.com/
BLK + GRN – https://blkgrn.com/
Hair Brands
Soultanicals – https://soultanicals.com/
Alikay Naturals – https://alikaynaturals.com/
Kurly Klips – https://kurlyklips.com/
Camille Rose Naturals – https://www.camillerose.com/
Briogeo – https://briogeohair.com/
Fashion Brands
Gee Gee’s Closet – Can be found on Facebook or Instagram
Lola Ade – https://www.lolaade.com/
TLZ Femme – https://www.tlzlf.com/
Love, Vera – https://www.lovevera.com/
Spoiled Boutique – Can be found on Facebook or Instagram
Others based in the UK
Dark Sugars (homemade chocolates, truffles, and vegan treats) – www.darksugars.co.uk
Detola and Geek (African-inspired homeware and gifts) – www.detolaandgeek.com
New Beacon Books (bookstore specialising in African and Caribbean literature) – http://www.newbeaconbooks.com
One True Maverick Vodka (vodka company) – www.otmvodka.com
Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium (luxury wedding cakes) – http://www.elizabethscakeemporium.com
What our readers have to say – Daisy Lewis
Edge Hill remained silent on the topic for several days and broke their silence with a picture of the main building illuminated purple with the caption, “Our main building on campus is illuminated in purple in memory of George Floyd to support equality and diversity across the world #EHUUnited”. We asked our readers to comment on whether they believed Edge Hill’s actions were adequate and to include additional information they thought would benefit other readers. Here is what they had to say.
“As a university they should be speaking for the people who attend! They should be vocal to support their own black students! … They need to speak up! They need to support this movement!” – Samantha
“The Anthony Walker Foundation would be good for donations. It was set up after the racially motivated murder of Anthony in Merseyside and does great work in supporting individuals, families who experience, witness hate crimes and incidents along with the promotion of racial harmony through education, support, and the arts – https://www.justgiving.com/anthonywalkerfoundation” – Jess
“Edge Hill’s silence on this is so disappointing. As an education student, I spend so much time focusing on how to have a diverse classroom to make all students feel comfortable and loved. Seeing that my OWN place of education doesn’t value what they teach is truly heart-breaking” – Lauren
“I highly recommend watching the recent live videos on Lili Reinhart’s Instagram! Very very informative” – Samantha
“Their silence is disgusting especially the fact that they only posted something on Instagram after everyone wasn’t happy about their silence” – Phoebe
“Something me and my friends have done is email our local MPs. Both at uni and at home – you can do this as long as you’re on the register for both. We have demanded the following things: immediately suspend the sales of British tear gas, rubber bullets, and shields; condemn Trump’s violent and excessively militarised response to US protestors; release the report on BAME Covid-19 deaths; and demand justice for Belly Mujinga and her family” – Charlie
“Would really recommend the 1619 podcast on Spotify!” – Lydia
“I am not a student at Edge Hill but I don’t feel as though the university has done enough to support the BLM movement as they are a mainstream uni and I imagine BME students are probably disappointed with the lack of effort the uni has put in to show they have the backs of their students right now” – Jordan
“If you’re looking for something to watch, try When They See Us, and 13th on Netflix” – Lauren
“The handling of Black Lives Matter movement within our student society has left a bitter taste and a feeling of disappointment. The campus is mostly filled with white staff and students and for the university to not take a stand is extremely disheartening. I have been a proud supporter of LGBTQ+ and feminism rights and I am delighted my university was the same. Why not support the BLM movement?” – Balve
“This petition is to diversify the GCSE English curriculum, https://www.change.org/p/department-of-education-battle-racism-by-updating-reading-lists-at-gcse” – Charlie
If you have been affected by Edge Hill’s silence on the topic, a petition has been created by Dan Bocharnikov, former EHSU VP Activities. “Edge Hill is an organisation that prides itself on being at the forefront of justice. … We’ve seen a lot of great work in the past but why is it different now?” The petition “Edge Hill University to make meaningful strides to support BLM & fight for justice”, can be found here – https://www.change.org/p/edge-hill-university-edge-hill-university-to-make-meaningful-strides-to-support-blm-fight-for-justice.
In addition to this, a silent protest is set to take place at Edge Hill’s main entrance tomorrow (Sunday 7th June), with protestors meeting at 16:50 for a 9-minute socially distanced silent kneel starting at 17:00.
As always, our emails and direct messages on Instagram are safe spaces for you to message if you have any further concerns about this topic or anything else. Please continue to stay safe – Daisy, Megan, Chloe and Emily.
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