Black Lives Matter

By Eden Mitchell, Marketing & Events Intern

The Black Lives Matter movement for many is not a movement but a way of a life. This is demonstrated by black people having to fight for equality and equity in aspects of their life where this should be standard practice.

Systematic racism and micro aggression is felt in the educational system all the way to the work place. A personal memory for me in secondary school was a rule being implemented that girls were not allowed to dye or have coloured hair, although black girls were the only group that this was enforced upon, and therefore was the only group receiving punishment for this even when the colour was a natural brown. However, when non-black girls coloured their hair a variety of colours ranging from blue to red there were no consequences. When confronting teachers about this, we were met with silencing.

Looking back, many may say that something as trivial as hair colour is not important. However, it is the principle that this story demonstrates. It is the idea that has followed black people around like a heavyweight which suggests we are not deemed equal to our white counterparts. That we will be treated less than then our white counterparts, and in extreme cases, will be mistreated and killed based upon the colour of our skin. Worse still, by those in positions that should be protecting communities.

It is truly sad that it has taken an innocent man called George Floyd being murdered and so many other lives for these injustices to come to light, but now is the time for everyone to come together and rise up for what they believe in.

If they haven’t already, now is the time for large corporations to take a look at how many black people hold positions in head offices or senior roles and analyse what effect that might have on someone like myself, a young black woman, aspiring to reach high levels in the business world.

We will not accept racial gas lighting anymore or the excuse of “it’s not always about race” because unfortunately a large majority of the time it is.

The March

On Saturday, I joined the thousands of people who gathered in Parliament Square in London to demonstrate following the brutal killing of George Floyd in the US.

Attending the march was one of those rare moments when you realise that you are making an important memory whilst it is happening. Seeing people of every race and colour amongst a sea of signs and banners, support the BLM movement gave a new sense of hope.

Throughout the chanting, the drums and the speeches, there was an overwhelming feeling of real long-lasting change in effect and I felt proud to be a part of it. There was an atmosphere of comradery, love and passion that was equally balanced with the pain and desperation for equality and justice that so many protestors felt they weren’t getting.

This is a testament to what these protests stand for, and why they are vital until change can be seen and felt for all.