The murder of George Floyd has re-ignited the Black Live Matter movement worldwide. On Saturday June 6th 2020 a demonstration was held in Weston super Mare and on Sunday there was a demonstration in Bristol, during which a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was torn down and thrown into the harbour.
I have been posting related articles on our @FilmUCW Facebook page and thought I would compile some of these plus links to other resources here. Please visit the excellent Black Lives Matter Weston super Mare Facebook group to learn more and support.
Video/ Photography by Ayotilewa Babatunde - FdA Film UCW.
Video by UCW Academy of Performing Arts
Photography and Film related articles, RESOURCES, GROUPS
Netflix has curated a collection of films, TV series and stand-up specials under the banner of “Black Lives Matter”.
The streaming service’s official Twitter account wrote: “When we say, ‘Black Lives Matter’, we also mean, ‘Black storytelling matters’.
“With an understanding that our commitment to true, systemic change will take time – we’re starting by highlighting powerful and complex narratives about the Black experience.” - Independent
Eunice Olumide MBE, who spoke at UCW Graduation ceremony last September, has started this Fundraiser to support Black Women in Film.
"Over the last decade I have worked both in front of the camera and behind as an assistant director and actress. There are very few opportunities available for BME women in film the reasons for which are very multifaceted, even in cases where diversity is promoted one of the biggest hurdles is having the initial seed funding to sustain yourself while you do the necessary development for the project.
I am asking for support to fund my first solo short film production. No donation is too small. The funds will be used to pay for further script development, acquiring locations, wardrobe, cast and crew.
I plan to start filming in Scotland in mid May 2021, however I have already finished the first draft of the story and have secured an established script writer. I have also acquired several high-profile actors, line producer and will continue to put together a strong team. I have worked hard to gain all the necessary knowledge and connections to ensure that this film is a success. I would like to thank you all so much for making this dream a reality."
Also see her discussing slavery, capitalism, and racism on Question Time in Feb 2019. HERE
MUSIC RELATED ARTICLES
Some more articles, OPINIONS, CONTEXT
Tony Benn on the Legacy of Slavery
‘In 2007, Tony Benn – who was an MP for Bristol for 20 years – gave a speech discussing the legacy of slavery, the fight which brought it down and the ideal of common humanity which powers progressive struggles.’
“We live in a very remarkable period, quite unlike any other in history, when the human race has the capacity to destroy itself, and you can kill one man with a spear, a few more with a bayonet, one or two with a machine gun or a plane, but with chemical, nuclear and biological weapons it is possible to destroy the human race, that has never, ever been true before.
But it’s also the first generation in history which has the technology and the know-how and the money to solve the problems of the human race. And that’s where you really come right into the contemporary political scene, because a fraction of the cost of the war now would see that everyone in Africa with AIDs would have free drugs. A fraction of the cost of the war would see everyone in America has a health service, would protect New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. That is the choice.
So the question then you have to ask yourself is, well how do you change the situation? Because there are only three interesting questions in politics, what’s going on? Which is not always easy to find out. Why is it going on? Which is harder to find out. The third question is, what are you going to do about it? “
Below is video of Tony Benn speaking at a Tribute to Paul Robeson (Singer, actor, social activist, lawyer, athlete) in 2006, Tony Benn starts at 28m40 secs in.
Article: https://www.soas.ac.uk/africa/events/20sep2006-a-tribute-to-paul-robeson.html
Henry David Thoreau
Resistance to Civil Government, called Civil Disobedience for short, is an essay by American transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau that was first published in 1849. In it, Thoreau argues that individuals should not permit governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences, and that they have a duty to avoid allowing such acquiescence to enable the government to make them the agents of injustice. Thoreau was motivated in part by his disgust with slavery and the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). (Wiki)
Anti Racism - Anti Fascism
The HOPE not hate campaign was founded in 2004 to provide a positive antidote to the politics of hate
Books
By no means a definitive list! But here’s are a few books either I’ve read and recommend or have been recommended to me and I hope to get time to read (or listen to) soon. I will also ask our library, which books we have in our library at UCW/ Weston College. Email me: richard.edkins@weston.ac.uk if you have any suggestions (books, audio books, films, or other resources) you think we should add. Thanks
