Walthamstow Academy Sixth Form Bulletin. 03 July 2020
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Walthamstow Academy
Sixth Form Bulletin.
03 July 2020
Bulletin Focus – Black Lives Matter
How can I be anti-racist?
Anti-racism is actively identifying
and speaking out against racism
in organizational structures,
policies, practices and attitudes,
every time you witness it. If
something makes you
uncomfortable, voice your
discomfort and you are being
anti-racist.
What is white privilege?
Theconsciouskid on
Instagram summarise what
white privilege is really clearly.
They describe it as, “White
supremacy is a system of
structural and societal racism
which privileges white people over everyone else, regardless of the presence or absence of
racial hatred. White racial advantages occur at both a collective and an individual level.”
White privilege is defined by the Oxford England Dictionary as “the inherent advantages
possessed by a white person on the basis of their race in a society characterised by racial
inequality and injustice”.
Actions speak louder than words
what is helpful to hear, are phrases like these:
• “I’ve found an organisation that helps in these types of instances and I’ve donated
money.”
• “I’ve brought this topic up to my co-workers and family so we can talk through what’s
happened.”
• “I’ve researched more on this and I have learned more about the history of this particular
race issue.”
Black Lives Matter
Black lives matter movement. Edited by Folakemi Omoyinmi
The black lives matter movement is an international human rights movement,
originating in the African American community, that campaigns against violence and
systemic racism towards black people. It was founded in 2013 in response to the
acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. The mission of the BLM movement is to
eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on
black communities by the state and vigilantes.
Visit https://blacklivesmatter.com/ for more information on the BLM movement.
The systems of oppression that have had an impact on black people
Slavery started in the year 1619. People from Africa were kidnapped and forced into slavery in the
American colonies and exploited to work as indentured servants and labour in the production of crops such
as tobacco and cotton. Slave masters had complete control over their slaves. The civil War in America had
officially abolished slavery in 1865, but it didn’t end discrimination against black people in America as they
were still treated as second-class citizens. Black people continued to endure the devastating effects of
racism, especially in the south of the US.
The introduction of Jim Crow laws further marginalised African-Americans by denying them the right to
hold jobs, get an education or other opportunities. Black people couldn’t use the same public facilities as
white people, live in many of the same towns or go to the same schools. Interracial marriage was illegal,
and most black people couldn’t vote because they were unable to pass voter literacy tests. Those who
attempted to defy Jim Crow laws often faced arrest, fines, jail sentences, violence and death. Rosa Parks,
the woman who refused to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man, acted as a major catalyst for
the civil rights movement which began in 1954. Civil rights activist such as Martin Luther King Jr and
Malcolm X are very important leaders who are well known for their methods which led to the ending of
legal racial discrimination in the US. Even though this occurred, black people have since and are still even
today, treated unfavourably by others.
There was also a period of mass incarceration in the US which oppressed many black people and in
particular, black males. Mass incarceration refers to a large number of people incarcerated in the US
prison system, especially black people. Mandatory minimum sentencing, police practices, and harsher laws
have contributed to the rise of the term mass incarceration. Many argued that these laws put in place did
not favour black people, most of which were from poor areas. For example, harsher laws such as increasing
the amount to post bail meant that many black people who had committed petty crimes or even those
who were innocent were not able to get out. Once they were in, that was it. In July 2017, statistics found
that there are 41.4 million people in the US that are black/african-american which represents 12.7 percent
of the whole population. However, they represented 33% of the US prison population.
Many people argue that the 13th amendment to the US constitution has also led to the continued
oppression of black people. The 13th amendment states that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude,
except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the
United States. Therefore, despite slavery being officially ‘abolished’ in 1865, many still argue that due to
the imprisonment of black people today, slavery still exists but just in a modern form.
Visit https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/slavery for more on Slavery.
Visit https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement for more on Jim crow laws and
the civil rights movement in America.
Visit https://www.vox.com/2015/7/13/8913297/mass-incarceration-maps-charts for more on mass
incarceration.
Visit https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/thirteenth-amendment for more on the 13th
amendment.
Films and documentaries to watch to educate yourself on racism and black oppression
1. 13th - This documentary from Ava DuVernay explores the inequality of the US prison system, where
Black prisoners are hugely over-represented. While the film is named after the Thirteenth
Amendment, which abolished slavery throughout the United States in 1865, DuVernay argues that
slavery has taken on a new form with the mass incarceration of Black people. Available to watch on
netflix. Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6IXQbXPO3I
2. Just Mercy - Telling the true story of a lawyer and social justice activist, Just Mercy is a heart-
wrenching look at the over-representation of Black men on death row. Sentenced to death despite
no evidence or just because they "looked guilty", this film will make you understand how, for many,
being Black is enough of a crime to die for. Available to watch on amazon prime or other streaming
services e.g. 123 movies. Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVQbeG5yW78
3. The Hate U Give - The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr, who witnesses her friend shot dead by
police after reaching for his hairbrush. While friends and family from Starr's neighbourhood take to
the streets to protest, her predominantly white private school friends and boyfriend struggle to
understand. An important watch for how not to use your white privilege. Available to watch on now
TV or other streaming services e.g. 123 movies.
Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MM8OkVT0hw
4. When They See Us - This miniseries tells the story of the Central Park 5 – five young Black men
falsely accused and prosecuted for the sexual assault of a white woman. With no evidence or DNA,
the group still served sentences ranging from six to 13 years in prison for crimes they didn't
commit; another damning story of systemic racism in the judicial system. Available to watch on
netflix. Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHbOt2M8md0
5. 12 Years a Slave - Based on Solomon Northup's memoirs of being born a free man then sold into
slavery in 1841, this film doesn't hold back on the brutal, degrading and fatal reality of slavery. The
way racism and oppression manifests in society may have changed, but the scars of slavery are
important to understand. Available to watch on netflix.
Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z02Ie8wKKRg
6. American Son - In this film, time passes and tension mounts in a Florida police station as an
estranged interracial couple awaits news of their missing teenage son. Available to watch on netflix.
Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbKZlSwAS3M
Songs to listen to which explain what black people go through, white privilege and racism
in general (please note the songs include swear words and inappropriate language)
1. DAVE - Black
2. JOYNER LUCAS - I’m not racist
3. MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS FT JAMILA WOODS - White privilege II
4. BEYONCE FT KENDRICK LAMAR - Freedom
5. LIL BABY - The bigger picture
Books to read to educate yourself on racism and which talk about racism and white
privilege in general
1. Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race - Renni Eddo-Lodge
Reni Eddo-Lodge wrote about her frustration with the way that discussions of race and racism in Britain
were being led by those who weren't affected by it. Exploring issues from eradicated black history to the
political purpose of white dominance, whitewashed feminism to the inextricable link between class and
race, Reni Eddo-Lodge offers a timely and essential new framework for how to see, acknowledge and
counter racism.
2. Me and white supremacy - Layla F Saad
A blistering expose of how entrenched white privilege is in modern society, Saad’s Me and White
Supremacy blog dug deep into the - often unconscious – racial prejudice which many white people took
completely for granted. Packed with practical exercises and enlightening socio-political context, the book
of the blog offers numerous ways of transforming the discourse surrounding institutionalised racism. Me
and White Supremacy teaches readers how to dismantle the privilege within themselves so that they can
stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on people of colour, and in turn, help other white people do
better, too.
3. White fragility - Robin DiAngelo
Anger. Fear. Guilt. Denial. Silence. These are the ways in which ordinary white people react when it is
pointed out to them that they have done or said something that has - unintentionally - caused racial
offence or hurt. But these reactions only serve to silence people of colour, who cannot give honest
feedback to 'liberal' white people lest they provoke a dangerous emotional reaction.
4. How to be an antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi
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.
Not being racist is not enough. We must be anti-racist. In this rousing and deeply empathetic book, Ibram
X. Kendi, founding director of the Antiracism Research and Policy Center, shows that when it comes to
racism, neutrality is not an option: until we become part of the solution, we can only be part of the
problem.
Microaggressions
Microaggressions have been defined as brief and common daily verbal, behavioral, and environmental
communications, whether intentional or unintentional, that transmit hostile, derogatory, or negative
messages to a target person because they belong to a stigmatised group.
Example of microaggressions include saying things like the following to a person of colour:
- Wow you are so articulate
- Asking a person of colour if that is their real hair
- Your name is so hard to pronounce
The truth is that the only way to avoid microaggressions is by arming yourself with knowledge about
microaggressions. It is important to include some reflective work around your own internal prejudices in
an effort to connect with your empathic response and minimise harmful comments or behaviors.
Visit https://www.messiah.edu/download/downloads/id/921/Microaggressions_in_the_Classroom.pdf for
more examples on microaggressions in the classroom
Visit https://www.businessinsider.com/microaggression-unconscious-bias-at-work-2018-6?r=US&IR=T &
https://www.cultureamp.com/blog/the-importance-of-understanding-microaggressions-at-work/for more
on microaggressions in the workplace
Thank you Folakemi Omoyinmi.
Dear Ms Obrien
These pictures are a mix of shots I took at the protests on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday and they were
mostly outside Downing Street and Parliament Square.
The protests were mostly peaceful and felt pretty empowering except for Saturday when things got pretty
chaotic with flares and glass bottles flying over while horses were running over people in the middle of a
storm.
At the moment my favorite type of photography is street photography and portraits, although I enjoy doing
a bit of everything. My favorite part of photography is getting to edit the shots later and give them a
certain 'feel' to them by adjusting the colours and exposure of them. I realised how much I liked it when I
started doing my media coursework and learned through YouTube videos and playing around with the old
camera I already had.
As for getting my pictures published, I always think about doing it but never get around to it for some
reason. If I manage to get any money out of these shots I will donate them to BLM or other similar causes.
Kind regards,
Sorin Diaconescu
sorin-d-visuals.com
TED: Black Lives Matter
Born out of a social media post, the Black Lives Matter movement has
sparked discussion about race and inequality across the world. In this
spirited conversation with Mia Birdsong, the movement's three
founders share what they've learned about leadership and what provides them with hope
and inspiration in the face of painful realities. Their advice on how to participate in ensuring
freedom for everybody: join something, start something and "sharpen each other, so that
we all can rise."
Every week we are asking you to write to us at Walthamstow Academy
Bulletin to tell us a story or offer advice to your year group. Is there
something that has affected your family or community that hasn't been
reported on yet?
News doesn't have to be negative so if you've got a positive story you think other people would like to
know tell us them too!
Email your news or article to either or all, melanie.obrien@walthamstow-academy.org,
amrita.bains@walthamstow-academy.org, Stephen.Bell-Brown@walthamstow-academy.org,
Neeta.Dhaliwal@Walthamstow-Academy.Org
The Day: News
The Guardian: News
The Independent: News
The Times: News
Access Aspiration – Talks
Next weeks’ provision for Access All Areas: (Week commencing 6th July/ Zoom 4pm)
• Finance and technology Sector 8th July- Nasdaq= talk by Bryan Mahon Ball
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-mahon-ball-7b4a6a8/
• Engineering/ Geologist 9th July- Jomas Associates= talk by Roni Savage
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronisavage/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/roni-savage-wants-see-more-women-construction-hows-
she-crowcroft/
There is a great article about Roni and Women in Engineering
SuperCurricular
The Uptree Learning Hub are offering online career workshops on a range of different
careers (including law, business and finance and science and engineering). If interested,
please visit: https://uptree.co/uptree-workshops/
Upcoming Careers Workshops (Online)
Friday 10 Jul Careers in Law online
Tuesday 14 Jul Summer Careers Course Week 1: First Impressions online
Wednesday 15 Jul Summer Careers Course Week 1: First Impressions online
Tuesday 21 Jul Summer Careers Course Week 2: Finding Work Experience online
Wednesday 22 Jul Summer Careers Course Week 2: Finding Work Experience online
Sign up now
Uni Taster Days and Webinars
A large selection of taster days and
webinars covering business , accounting,
marketing, law, criminology, psychology, midwifery, life sciences click Here
Enrichment - Activities & Resources Delivered by External Providers
Short online courses. You can choose from hundreds of online courses from top universities
and specialist organisations.
MOOCs (‘massive online open courses’) can be accessed through a range of sites, such as
www.futurelearn.com and www.coursera.org
Boredom Busting courses can be found here.
Digital Resource Hub – University of Oxford
resources that enable further exploration of passions, as well as interests, and show how
to discover more about Oxford. Resources from Oxford University
• Oxplore - As the 'Home of Big Questions', Oxplore aims to engage students aged 11-
18 with debates and ideas that go beyond the classroom. Big questions tackle
complex ideas across a range of subjects and draw on the latest research undertaken
at Oxford.
• Suggested reading and resources - Links and reading lists for each subject offered at
Oxford can be found here.
There is an abundance of resources – too many to list click here for more fascinating and
exciting subjects and areas to choose from.
what’s on the box this week ……
BBCiplayer
Selma Fim_here. Film chronicling the tumultuous three-month period in 1965 when Dr
Martin Luther King Jr led a campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent
opposition, culminating in the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, which led
President Johnson to sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant
victories for the civil rights movement that forever altered history.
I am not your Negro documentary here
Narrated entirely in the words of James Baldwin, through both personal appearances and
the text of his final unfinished book project, this film touches on the lives and assassinations
of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr and Medgar Evers. The film brings powerful clarity to
how the images and reality of black lives in America today are fabricated and enforced.
Have you listened to George the Poet You must listen to this
Award-winning podcaster and spoken word artist George the Poet comes to the BBC’s own
Radio Theatre for a one-off live show exploring what rap can teach us about education.
For George, rap was always a vehicle for knowledge. Rap was an essential part of George’s
own development as a poet, and studying Sociology at Cambridge University allowed him to
look more closely at what rap can do for marginalised communities.
George brings a number of friends to the stage to explore what rap can teach us about
education. Neuroscientist Dr Becky Inkster and psychiatrist Dr Akeem Sule are co-founders
of Hip Hop Psych. Hip Hop Psych dissects hip hop lyrics to analyse the mechanisms ofmental health problems, signals which are sometimes overlooked because of their mode of communication. Sonita Alleyne OBE is the new Master of Jesus College, Cambridge. She is the first woman to be the Master of Jesus College and the first black person to lead any Oxbridge college. Sonita is the co-founder and former CEO of media production company Somethin’ Else. Featuring an exclusive poem from Chapter Two of the podcast with music written by Benbrick.
Wellbeing and Activities
National Theatre at Home:
Click here for details on how to view it live
from YouTube live national theatre site.
Showing this week
Les Blancs, the final play by Lorraine
Hansberry, directed by Yaël Farber: a brave,
illuminating, and powerful work that
confronts the hope and tragedy of revolution.
Streaming from 7pm UK time tonight, to 7pm
on Thursday 9 July.
Extra-Curricular
Learning from past outbreaks
In the early 1980s, there were no treatments for HIV. Today, modern drugs that help
people lead healthy and happy lives are affordable and widely available. There is still no HIV
vaccine, showing why those treatments are so critical. But it took time for the benefits to
reach those who needed them most.
At the height of the AIDS crisis, treatment cost up to $15,000 per person, per year. So, as
science moves at pace to find COVID-19 treatments, these lessons of fair access can’t be
forgotten.
“The solution to this pandemic has to be global, so treatments must be accessible and
affordable for everyone who needs them,” says our Epidemics Lead, Dr Josie Golding.
wellcome trust - four-lessons-past-epidemics-guide-us-search-covid-19-treatments?The Mix is a digital charity in the United Kingdom. Their main remit is ‘to take on the embarrassing problems’ and subjects close to the hearts of the young people who use its service. Specifically, the charity works with anybody under the age of 25, providing them ‘essential support’ via a range of different channels, inclusive of a free helpline and chat service, articles, and peer-to-peer community chats. Alongside this, The Mix provides opportunities for young people to have a say on what the charity supports and campaigns for and provides volunteer and training opportunities. Click here to explore: The Mix
You can also read
