Brentwood School - Brentwoodian 2020

3 Racism. You've probably heard this word a lot recently. George Floyd's murder as well as the loss of others to the hands of police brutality sparked protests in countries all over the world. These events brought light to the prominence of racism and its dangers in our society. It is saddening that in a supposedly progressive modern society, people are still subject to discrimination and torment based on the colour of their skin. One of the problems of racism is that it is so insidiously embedded in the system we live in that people may not realise the implications of what they are saying nor would they understand that their words are racist. Implicit bias, defined by Wikipedia as the 'unconscious attribution of particular qualities by an individual to a member of some social out group', has been incorporated into our everyday lives and affects the way we perceive and treat others. It is important that we look at ourselves and evaluate our behaviours and attitudes. Do we display implicit bias? Do we consciously or subconsciously judge others based on the colour of their skin? Take a moment to reflect. There are many things that can be done to help bring about positive change and contribute to a move towards equality and equity in the world today. This includes using social media platforms to share useful and reliable information about black culture and ways to contribute to the movement, as well as educating yourself on black culture and history through books, podcasts, documentaries and more to gain insight and a better understanding of black history. Moreover, talking to people of colour and engaging in meaningful conversations is important as communication helps us find perspective on the different walks of life. If you can, donate to organisations tackling racism and discrimination and sign petitions to help bring about positive change and raise greater awareness about these issues. Talk to your friends about these issues and help to educate others on black history. Nothing is too small! It is important to ask questions and communicate with each other as we all need to play a part in order to make our world a better place. The events that sparked these protests may have passed but the drive for change is ongoing and we must be consistent and dedicated to ensure history does not repeat itself. By Elizabeth Akeju TIME FOR change #BLM