The Children’s Commissioner’s review on strip search in the UK does not go far enough Despite the review discovering and highlighting that strip search powers are being used in an unlawful, racially discriminatory and harmful way : The review fails to call for the complete overhaul and removal of the strip searching of children. TheContinue reading “The Children’s Commissioner’s review on strip search in the UK does not go far enough”
Author Archives: blam UK
A Radical Community Guide to Police Child Strip Search law in UK
Introduction Strip search is a inherently violent police power that has rightfully received recent criticism in the media and from our communities due to distressing accounts of children being strip searched in an unlawful, racially discriminatory and oppressive manner, like the case of Child Q. The law empowers the police to strip search people inContinue reading “A Radical Community Guide to Police Child Strip Search law in UK”
Black Publishing Britain
By Michelle Black British authors are severely underrepresented within UK publishing. This lack of representation is felt amongst publishing in general, but also within the reception of prestigious British literary prizes, such as the Booker prize, the Walter Scott prize, and more. An analysis by The Guardian of the racial diversity of nominees for theContinue reading “Black Publishing Britain”
Barbados, Reparations and Justice
By Michelle What could justice look like for those deeply affected by enslavement and colonisation? The answer to this question would vary depending on who it is asked to. Barbados is one country which has begun to ask, and answer, this question. The legacy of enslavement has been at the forefront of several Caribbean countries,Continue reading “Barbados, Reparations and Justice”
The Criminalisation of the Black Child
By Jamila The big picture It is widely understood that Black communities and Black people in the UK are overpoliced and underprotected by the criminal justice system (CJS) as we are more than ten times more likely to be stopped and searched than our white counterparts. Statistics also indicate the Black people are likely toContinue reading “The Criminalisation of the Black Child “
Afro Hair: School bans probably illegal says watchdog
By Serena History of African hair + Significance Throughout shifts in history, Black hair has been twisted and muted in a variety of ways. Yet it still represents one of the strongest connections to our traditions. And the modern styling of our hair is often the closest many will get to being able to practiseContinue reading “Afro Hair: School bans probably illegal says watchdog “
Why History Should be Important to All Black People
By Michelle There are several reasons why we, as people of African descent, must engage with, be aware of, and perhaps even internalise our history. Our narratives, the histories of those before who looked like us, and the histories of our respective ethnic groups (if applicable) are all key components of the building blocks ofContinue reading “Why History Should be Important to All Black People”
Chris Kaba’s family meets with UN
On Tuesday 17 January, our Director Ife Thompson and a member of the Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign supported the family of Chris Kaba while they met with the UN. During this meeting the family discussed their campaign for justice for the police killing of their son. It had previously been mentioned by Ife thatContinue reading “Chris Kaba’s family meets with UN”
The Congo Rainforest
Measuring at 500 million acres, the Congo Basin is larger than France and is the world’s second largest tropical rainforest- it is often known as the world’s second lung. The Congo Basin surrounds the equator, which alongside the massive water supply, makes opportune conditions for the rainforest to grow abundantly. It is made up ofContinue reading “The Congo Rainforest”
Heri Za Kwanzaa
By Michelle Kwanzaa is a popular holiday that is unique in its origins. Like other major holidays, it often received its own special episode in TV programmes – especially Black TV programmes – such as The Proud Family, Everybody Hates Chris, and other classic sitcoms. In this blog, we will explore Kwanzaa’s origins, its traditions,Continue reading “Heri Za Kwanzaa”