The Black Lives Matter protest, underpinned by the significant loss of life given Covid-19, has caused a refocus on humanity and racial inequality. It has been highlighted by the killing of George Floyd which has caused racial traumatisation, a stark reminder of the societal inequality, structural inequality, white privilege, unconscious biases and systematic oppression of black people in the United States, United Kingdom and around the world. Including this are the economic and political chains left around Africa's neck post-colonialism, and the issues in identity, that have blemished the Africa Diaspora, particularly in light of systemic and institutionalised racism, within Western institutions.
For us Africans it’s not about the politics, trends or soundbites, it is about George Floyd, Amadou Diallo, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Walton Scott, Jordan Edwards, Atatiana Jefferson, Breonna Taylor and the countless others who have lost their lives to police brutality in the US. Importantly, it is about what this represents - in essence that I, my race, family members and loved ones, do not matter. Even in our African countries the reminiscence of this superiority is felt. A Black life is as valuable as any other life, and ideological and systematic blocks must be torn down and recreated such that future generations can live free lives, not constrained by fear, racial prejudice and injustice.
We have seen condemnation by African institutions and leaders of African nations. In particular, we believe that the African Union should feel empowered to do more on the continent and abroad, to stop the further exploitation and devaluation of Black lives. Whether this be in the form of declining clinical trials on uneducated and disenfranchised Black people, or helping eradicate the colonial mindset of valuing white employers and employees above Black people. Importantly, similar to the widespread protest seen across most major industrial cities, drawing diverse crowds of solidarity. We need African states to embrace and feel the struggle of their diaspora, not purely seeing this as an American or British or French issue, but rather a broader coalition in the defence, protection and unity of Black people globally who may be at risk.
We stretch out our hands to the multitude of African governments in the hope that they will support and help the African diaspora in their struggle for justice, from Australia to Africa, United States to China, Russia to the Netherlands and through the rest of the world. And indeed, that African Governments offer and advance those who need refuge, homes and citizenship, or those who want to explore the African motherland in the name of pan-Africanism.
BGLU has since aligned itself with President Obama's My Brother's Keeper Foundation, donating to help cause change at the grassroots level, working with local organisations to advance the cause of racial justice and equality. If any other institutions would like to join BGLU in the fight towards equality for Black lives please do contact us via LinkedIn (BGLU).
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