Thought for today 06.06.20

#BlackLivesMatter This month we shall be recording responses made to the killing of George Floyd on 25th May. Too many black people have died at the hands of state racism, institutional racism – and individual racism stoked by the first two.  We can all work together to turn the tide of racism. It will be a long and difficult struggle – but George Floyd’s death has brought many young people into that fight. We may yet change the world. Should we name 25th as George Floyd day, to ensure that we never forget?

Most of our posts this month will be from black people, but today we pause to consider the reaction from a young white person. It’s dismaying to think that someone could have reached their mid-20s without considering issues such as racism – but it’s a joy to see the breakthrough that Black Lives Matter has made. When pop stars begin to talk politics, you know something has really changed.

“As a white person living in the UK, it’s very easy to look at the #BlackLivesMatter movement and believe it doesn’t affect you. Feel that it’s not your place to comment or get involved… What’s not so easy is to scroll past an innocent man being pinned to the floor, struggling and begging for his last breath… How can any human being, no matter your race, age, gender, not be deeply affected by that? I have been deeply affected by it… I acknowledge my white privilege and instead of allowing it to put a muzzle on me, I will use it to speak up for what is right and what is wrong.”
Perrie Edwards, member of the pop group Little Mix, Instagram

●Read more about it:
Thought for today
The Thames Today