#blacklivesmatter racism is a human problem

I can see that some people still find it ok to refer the the n-word in name.

Can I just say that for some people, hearing/reading that word with a hard 'r', regardless of context, coming from a person of any race, can conjure up dark memories. It's a one word reminder of your status as lesser-than. It's still used aggressively/threateningly against people today and shouldn't be treated lightly.

Was supposed to do it as I'm part of the origin team that the bubr team consist off it was good turn out considering the rain 🌧

I haven't been out on the bike for a long time (or in the forum for even longer) but I dragged myself out.
Standing in the downpour for nearly 2 hours, I probably would've binned it off if it wasn't a BUBR ride. Thoroughly enjoyed it once we got going though. The atmosphere was amazing and it was joyful to see so many of us out on bikes.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/government-unemployment-rate-black-people-b1915748.html%3famp

We are gearing up for a bunch of initiatives to educate staff during BHM. However there is a growing concern around the lack of opportunities, restricted social mobility and further exclusion for black people in the UK during this pandemic.

It feels like the UK has gone in reverse, is this a reaction to BLM?

Remember a few years ago, was driving with my boss to a site visit. We were having our light hearted banter of where we spent our childhood years. Some incident on the road and a white male came up the drivers window to give my boss abuse and used the n word. Remember that my boss and I both laughed and replied is that the best you can come out with. Then we both took terns at more intelligent insults that would be more fitting. Then my boss said that if that was the best he could come out with then he'd better up his game as this is Lambeth and the n word doesn't cut it any more.

BHM always amazed me how much I wasn't taught and how much was brushed over in favour of white people, prime example of the top of my head being Mary Seacole.

https://www.psypost.org/2021/09/brain-scans-of-black-women-who-experience-racism-show-trauma-like-effects-putting-them-at-higher-risk-for-future-health-problems-61867?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

I would say lucky, but I don't think that's really appropriate. Admittedly the last time I heard it in person was quite a while ago, unfortunately it was accompanied by more than just words.
I think it's this idea that as long as you're using it in a certain context, that it's ok to say, regardless of how it can affect people who've had experiences you'll never comprehend, so white people.

Of course, I'm not sure such a space exists in reality. Not in a diverse London, not on a niche internet forum.

Lots of diverse cycling community clubs springing up.
https://strava.app.link/gneissMhGjb
Been cycling with these guys.

That looks good @chokalateboywonder I’d fancy this ride to Southend, sadly we are away.

@lynx we learnt no black history at school back in the 80s, my daughters did at secondary school albeit very prescriptive as part of their curriculum.

Conversely, my black friends went to pan African studies, they said is was very informative. Gave them a sense of pride and purpose, instead of a sense of place in the UK.

I am looking forward to the series of events we have planned at work next month.

My friends and I attended a Saturday school in Hackney in the 80s.The under education of black kids is another instrument of the racist structure

Neither did I, I did my gcse in 91, and specific black history never interested me as I knew nothing about it. But working for inner London Councils and being involved in BHM events amazed me the amount I was never taught or even had an idea what was the historical truth.

@psg1ben Sorry for the irrelevance, for me as a white person it was a pivotal moment. Never used the n word as an insult, the reality is that I was rarely around black people and never knew the N word as an insult till I could see it was an insult and never used it as one.

thanks for sharing that, I’m assuming that BHM in primary and secondary schools today grows year on year. But I suspect also that pan Africa studies for children and their parents are still offered privately today.

I read somewhere ‘A child not taught by their parents, will be taught by the World‘.

I will encourage my GF to attend pan-African studies with her son before he attends secondary school.

BHM is but a token gesture.
Teaching black history in context of British history will open up the eyes of lot of people about the contribution of africans to this country.Before and after the maffa (African holocaust.

100% agree, in the context of recent history, post Empire era; the UK should recognise, contribution to WW1 and WW2 fighting a greater evil in Europe. The arrival of the Windrush Generation, invited to fill mass skill shortages rebuilding the mother country. The contribution to art, culture, design, sport with a sense of belonging.

Ultimately a fair share of the UK economy and its history, i am still yet to be convinced but live in hope that i see this in my lifetime.

All this talk of black history has reminded me of the Saturday school I used to go to when I was young, taught us black history, some African pan nationalism and an intro to Swahili if memory serves.
At the time I remember wondering what this was for, but glad my mum forced me to go, as I’m aware of a load more info on black history than I would have been, in that I know stuff but can’t give you the details but I’m aware that there exists a black history outside of what was taught at my secondary school for instance..

BHM opened my eyes to lots I didn't know nor think about.

@almac68 children should be made to walk the ww graveyards. To see the names and religions on the headstones, and hopefully understand that we can stand together. Also understand the horror of war.

Was any black history taught in schools pre GCSE?

As a European who went to normal open to the public school in Italy and RC schools and didn't do history beyond GCSE choices in the UK. Italian history was taught with a bias to Italy and the region. While UK history was about being invaded alot.

Nope in year 7/8 it's taught from an African American perspective which is completely irrelevant to the black experience in the UK. I think if the establishment have to look at their own experience with Africa then it will bring up some very uncomfortable truths.i would encourage reading these 2 books below .

2 Attachments

I may have mentioned this before, so apologies.

The biggest history lesson I learnt in my life was in the township of Claremont and nearby squatter camps, on the outskirts of Durban in 1995.

This was post apartheid era of South Africa. A day spent with hard working smart young business entrepreneurs, all black in their twenties. They showed us everything without ever feeling ashamed or embarrassed, they talked positively about the future with democracy and not oppressive rule. These men had all experienced shocking trauma and injustice in their young lives. Sadly however their dreams are probably as far away as ever.

It was an utter privilege to meet and get to know these guys albeit for a short while, who protected us with their own lives, in the knowledge that we travelled at risk as tourists in some of Durban’s poorest neighbourhoods. That experience was priceless, and no international or national tour operator could have given us an education in humanity and reconciliation.

The lesson learnt for me was to absolutely appreciate the gift of life

Our global conversation event next work will include great examples of;

• Active Bystander training
  
• Equity not Equality
  
• Alleyship through Leadership
  
• Anti Racist toolkit
  
• Identifying micro-agression
  
• Outreach Programme in London boroughs
  
• Value of Mentoring
  
  

This thread has been really inspiring, thank y’all, much love
Almac xx

Almost posted to Epic WTF:

https://twitter.com/Femi_Sorry/status/1443880723681882112?s=19

https://www.facebook.com/141593512572016/posts/4547576378640352/

Best intentions or misguided? Lots of ranty m.a.w.m comments alert 🤔

you only need to look at the responses to see it's required. if you transpose black triathletes networks to black lives matter, the comments under are pretty similar.
If you're asking why there needs to be a "black" version of something, you're pretty much admitting that you don't think there is a problem with how they are represented within that environment and it's all good.
Setting up a black/brown/ethnic version of anything is just the starting point redress decades of under-representation