Audre Lorde in 1980. Audre Lorde was a Black, queer feminist poet and activist who transformed the way we understand identity, care, and resistance. Through her writings and speeches, Lorde urged marginalized people to prioritize self-care as an act of survival, asserting that nurturing one’s own well-being is not selfish – it’s a necessary weaponContinue reading “Audre Lorde’s Radical Self-Care.”
Author Archives: blam UK
Black British history beyond London.
Many people think of Black British history in terms of London events like the Windrush arrival or Notting Hill. But important stories happened all over Britain. Black communities in cities like Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle have reshaped the country culturally, politically and socially. Let’s explore some inspiring tales: a bus boycott in Bristol, Martin LutherContinue reading “Black British history beyond London.”
Live Facial Recognition on Trial: Shaun Thompson v Met Police.
By Ogechi Obioha. At the Royal Courts of Justice, before Lord Justice Holgate and Mrs Justice Farbey, a fundamental question about the relationship between technology, privacy, and police power is being tested. This has been brought about by applicants Shaun Thompson, an anti-knife crime campaigner, and Silkie Carlo, the director of the civil liberties campaignContinue reading “Live Facial Recognition on Trial: Shaun Thompson v Met Police.”
Black History Month In America: shared histories and radical connections.
Every February, the United States observes Black History Month. It grew from historian Carter G. Woodson’s 1915 call to preserve Black heritage. In 2026 the theme “A Century of Black History Commemorations” marks a century since the first Negro History Week. Inspired by that theme, BLAM UK highlights African‑American radicals whose activism in Britain forged connections that continue toContinue reading “Black History Month In America: shared histories and radical connections.”
Rest in Power Eric Huntley His Legacy Lives On.
Eric Huntley passed away on 21 January 2026 at the age of 96. We at BLAM UK honour his memory and the remarkable contributions he made as an educator, publisher and activist. Born in 1929 in British Guiana (now Guyana), Eric became politically active from a young age. He helped found the People’s Progressive PartyContinue reading “Rest in Power Eric Huntley His Legacy Lives On.”
IShowSpeed’s Africa Tour: A New Generation’s Journey of Learning and Decolonisation.
The American streamer IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.) is currently live-streaming his travels through Africa, turning social media into a live classroom for millions of young viewers. This new generation of learning, through unscripted livestreams, allows people to discover history and culture in an engaging way. Speed’s trip became a lesson in African history and pride.Continue reading “IShowSpeed’s Africa Tour: A New Generation’s Journey of Learning and Decolonisation.”
Black British Perspectives on International Migrants Day
International Migrants Day prompts us to reflect on our own stories. For Black Brits, whether from the Afro-Caribbean or African diasporas, migration isn’t just a distant concept, it is family history. Our parents, grandparents, and communities often arrived as migrants, helping build this country. On this day we recall those journeys and the truths theyContinue reading “Black British Perspectives on International Migrants Day”
Left Out and Let Down: Exclusions, Discrimination and Black Children in UK Schools
Schools are meant to be places of safety, learning, and opportunity. But for many Black children in the UK, the school exclusion system tells a different story: one of unfair discipline, implicit bias, and institutional neglect. Permanent and fixed-term exclusions are supposed to be last resorts, used only when a pupil’s behaviour seriously breaches schoolContinue reading “Left Out and Let Down: Exclusions, Discrimination and Black Children in UK Schools”
When Will Justice Be Served?: Why Britain’s Empire Debate Still Ignores Reparations
A recent televised confrontation between journalist Mehdi Hasan and historian Nigel Biggar brought Britain’s colonial legacy into sharp focus. Hasan challenged Biggar, whose new book Reparations: Slavery and the Tyranny of Imaginary Guilt argues that Britons should not feel responsible for slavery, on his double standards regarding national history. Hasan pointed out that Biggar feelsContinue reading “When Will Justice Be Served?: Why Britain’s Empire Debate Still Ignores Reparations”
Understanding AI Surveillance: Risks for Black Communities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a powerful force in everyday life. But one of the most important, and least understood, areas where AI is growing fast is policing. At BLAM UK, our AI Accountability Project is focused on ensuring that Black communities understand how these technologies work, how they are used, and what rights andContinue reading “Understanding AI Surveillance: Risks for Black Communities”
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