Leicester Students' Union stand with Black Lives Matter - Our Statement

 

 

Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Belly Mujinga, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Shukri Abdi, Mark Duggan, Tony McDade, and the list continues... These are all names that have frequented the media, which by now we are familiar with, owing to the injustice in the taking of their lives. Amongst countless others. Each of these incidences were brutal manifestations of anti-black racism and white supremacy, anything stating the contrary is attempting to debase and distance from the true issue at hand: systematic racism and state violence.

 

We stand in solidarity with all those who have been affected by anti-black racism and the violence of white supremacy. This is not an issue only in America, the UK is not innocent of police violence and a disproportionate amount of force used against black people. There have also been a number of deaths of black people in police custody. Black people are twice as likely to die in police custody than their white counterparts. This is unacceptable.

 

We must fight against anti-black racism and white supremacy in all its manifestations. Statements without actions are empty, so what is the SU doing to fight anti-black racism? As a Students’ Union Executive Officer team, we have endeavoured to centre the fight against anti-black racism in our work both when it comes to the University as well as the SU itself. No institution is exempt or immune to the racism entrenched in their structures; we must have accountability in this and work to change it. We are working to Decolonise the Curriculum, to ensure mental health services are inclusive and accessible to all our students; we have worked and will continue to work to ensure the voices of our Black students are heard and amplified. We will continue to listen and adapt to your needs.

 

To our Black students and staff, please remember it is okay take a break and care for yourselves. The news is currently trauma-inducing and immensely draining, so please remember that you are not obligated to educate anyone. Your priority should be your own wellbeing. We have listed a number of support resources available to you below.

 

The purpose of this statement is not to put empty words to you, but instead to urge you to act and educate yourselves. As Angela Davis said: "in a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be actively anti-racist." There are numerous ways to show your active support from petitions to donating to the families of the bereaved to pay for their loved ones memorials and their pursuits for justice. We have compiled a list below of resources broken down in to different sections, so please feel free to make use of any of the information or support available to you.

 

In memory of George Floyd and the black lives taken, in solidarity with Black Lives Matter,

 

Your Executive Officer team,

Oge, Adnan, Sana, Mia, and Tony.