4th June 2020, Black Lives Matter by Elizabeth Thomas, Young People’s Coordinator.
On Tuesday 2nd June Respond participated in #blackouttuesday (blackout Tuesday) to show solidarity to the #BlackLivesMatter Movement (Black Lives Matter). As it was a media black-out we thought we would share a blog today as this movement is important and one which needs all people to be a part of and understand.
Blackout Tuesday was first thought up to show solidarity to the issues faced by black people all over the world – the idea was to spend no money and post only promotional information for the #blacklivesmatter movement. This was spurred on by a number of policemen killing innocent black people.
As a charity that only works with a marginalised group of people ie. people with learning disabilities, autism or both, we have to recognise, see and stand against the injustice and issues experienced by marginalised groups and stand with them as much as we can, otherwise we are only supporting one group. By ignoring the plight of another group, we are ignoring the opportunity to use our voices to support everyone. And if we ignore this plight, we are actively holding people back.
We need to take this opportunity to think both individually and organisationally about how we can stand alongside our fellow human beings and be part of the #BLACKLIVESMATTER movement.
It was black people that pushed the civil rights movement – which gave way for more human rights, such as gay rights, women’s rights and – importantly for Respond – disability rights. We must now give back and use the privileges we have – be it race, ability, sexuality, class or gender to speak up and make sure we can say it as much as we can – with no ‘ifs’, ‘ands’ or ‘buts’ that –
We asked staff at Respond to give us something from their own individual voice to add here – and because we are aware that this is a numbers game we need people to support the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement from every walk of life.
Elizabeth Thomas, Young People’s Coordinator: “I wrote this blog to represent Respond, but also to represent myself – I am Elizabeth Thomas and I stand alongside my fellow human beings who are black and from other BAME groups and I will always do my best to recognise and voice injustice, to educate and be aware of my privileges and I will say with pride BLACK LIVES MATTER again and again.”
Sonia Antoniazzi, Learning & Development Coordinator: “It’s the start of #Pride season and we have Marsha P Johnson to thank. A Queer Black Trans Woman, whom a community united behind at Stonewall. They took on the state and started #GayLiberation. #BlackLivesMatter in every aspect of our society and history. Black Liberation will only happen when ALL #BlackLivesMatter. #BlackPride.
Lynne Tooze, ISVA Coordinator: “Gratitude to all those who taught me to dance, cook, feel good and showed me the joys of being alive. I salute you all. It was the antidote to white supremacy.”
Tina Hughes, Midlands Services Manager: “I stand in solidarity with my fellow human beings to actively challenge injustice and marginalisation in whatever form it takes and whatever community it affects.” #blacklivesmatter
Charlene Mcdonald-Cumberbatch, COSA Project Worker: “I will always have a desire to advocate for people from black communities and it is time we all speak up and stop the police brutality against black lives.”
Konstantinos Vlachakis, Forensic Therapist: “In our work, we still see people that are discriminated against and abused because of the colour of their skin only. Racism is real and it is a lot closer than we like to think. In a predominantly white profession like psychotherapy, it is easy to feel that #blacklivesmatter doesn’t affect you. But every person of every race should have felt disgust and devastation at the sight of innocent black lives being taken. If you remain silent, your silence is part of the problem. If you are talking about ‘other things’ and not about what’s happening right now, this is part of the problem.”
Rosie Creer, Clinical Director: “I know I need to persistently think and reflect on my part in a powerful system and work hard to make a change so that everyone is listened to and safe.”
Noelle Blackman, CEO: “I wish to speak out for all those who are marginalised by society, who do not get access to health equality or to justice, who die because their lives are not considered important. For some of the people we support they are doubly affected by this discrimination by have a learning disability and because they are black.” #blacklivesmatter
Jess Lammin, Survivors’ Coordinator: “I am aware how much privilege I have been afforded throughout my life by having white skin and have witnessed first-hand police racism when out with black family members who were treated so differently to me despite us being together. Having worked for many years supporting people from BAME communities across east London, I stand side by side with my black colleagues, family and friends and the communities around the world who experience racism on a daily basis and are disadvantaged in all areas of life due to the colour of their skin. NO life matters until #BlackLivesMatter.”
Helen Gerolaki, Forensic Service Manager: “Not being racist is not enough anymore, we now need to be actively antiracist in all aspects of our lives. “
In memory of all those black people killed because of their skin colour, to name only a few:
George Floyd
Adam Trammel
Ahmaud Arbery
Atatiana Jefferson
Broenna Taylor
Mark Duggan
Philando Castile
Stephen Lawrence
Trayvon Martin
