https://wokingham.today/reading-east-mp-matt-rodda-launches-search-to-find-readings-best-independent-business/Voting open until Monday 27th November, winner declared on Small Business Saturday, 2nd December
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You are invited to this very special book launch to celebrate the passions and achievement of these Black MP’s. Email for online zoom details to attend the launch and have a chance to win your very own copy.
Monday 22nd June marks 72 years since The Empire Windrush arrived at Tillbury Docks carrying Jamaicans/British Citizens to England. People were invited to come and help rebuild England after World War II. In the decades following people would come from all of the different Caribbean islands and settle all over the U.K.
Since then we’ve experienced the hostile environment and some people, who arrived as children on their parent’s passports, being asked to leave the U.K. despite having worked and contributed here for over 60 years. There is a compensation process moving very slowly and some people have died or had their lives and livelihoods destroyed in the intervening years. The opposition and others continue to pressure the government to pay the compensation that is due.
More on the fight for compensation here by ITN News
We’ve spent weeks under lockdown, separated from family and friends, concerned about our health, navigating how we can get our needs met whilst trying to keep a roof over our heads. Even if no one died in your family or got sick we’ve been exposed to images of dying people, overworked health care workers, isolated sick people and a rising dead count. It’s been a lot. If like me you’re a Black (or BAME) person you’ve also had to deal with the fact that we are overrepresented in the sick and the dying. The reasons are complex, and the research is not fully transparent at this time.
As the lockdown began to ease African Americans left their homes to find a higher percentage of them are represented in the ill, the dying, the unemployed, the incarcerated and more. Making matters worse 3 African Americans – Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd -were killed in plain sight and those responsible were not being held to account and have not as yet been punished. It seems like while everyone else gets justice if they’ve been a victim of a crime, black lives do not matter hence the chant that it does. Black Lives Matter.
The third of these, the killing of George Floyd at the knee of a police officer, has sparked protests across the world. It’s as if we finally have a space to talk about years of injustice – historical and present day. It’s a time when we can dare to hope that humanity can work together to bring about a more just world so that everyone has access to the good life.
But for many this is also traumatic; reawakening old wounds; personal experiences of overt and covert racism over a lifetime. Like any trauma or grief there are many stages to enter. As a country we’ve either been in denial or depression around race equality. Anger and sadness are here now. But this is not only about a death, it is about societal structures and individual leaders who can be held to a higher and more just standard. This can only be done with the support of the majority and there seems to be some willingness to make changes – alongside shock of how it is for some.
Perhaps we can be patient with each other as we try to find the words to explain our different knowledge and experiences. We mostly see the world through our life story, and it takes some humility and mental flexibility to be open to another viewpoint. History has many sides and we need to talk about these more and how they still impact the country we live in.
Many people – white and Black – have been sharing resources of books, films and podcasts. This means that people can educate themselves and not constantly ask victims to evidence their negative experiences so it can be assessed as real. It gives an opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes for a while.
I continue to live in hope and believe we can make it better for all. For society to thrive everyone needs to have a stake in it, it is dangerous if some people get so little that they have nothing to lose. Even if we can’t fix a problem, we can acknowledge that it exists. We say, “it’s good to talk” and so it is. Silence supports no one. Secret suffering is not good for our mental health. What’s the smallest action you can take to make your environment just and fair? You’ll benefit too.
Suggested books: Amazon link
U.K.
U.S.A.
Movies & T.V (Nexflix)
Several billionaires donate large amounts to help reduce the impact of the coronavirus. These include donations to key workers, victims of the virus and the various infrastructures that support recovery. The donors listed in this Forbes article include Oprah Winfrey, Jay-Z, Jack Dorsey, George Soros, Jeff Bezos and Bill & Melinda Gates amongst others.
For more details check out the Forbes article here.
More than 70 leading figures – from arts to faith leaders – have called for an independent public inquiry into the disproportionate number of Black and minority ethnic British people dying from COVID-19. This need for openness would help to maintain public confidence and potentially save lives.
Read more in The Voice Newspaper online
Corbett is an African American scientist, graduate of many universities including the University of Maryland. She has been on various gifted and genius programs and has experience researching pandemics and the coronavirus. She is now leading the search for a vaccine with the National Institute of Health, USA
More from the Washington Post in the link below
African American working on corona virus vaccine
#coronavirus #africanamerican #femalescientist #womeninscience
The talented and pioneering music creator and performer Little Richard died on 9th May, 2020. He had lived a full life, from the night clubs to the church, rock ‘n rolling all the way.
Awopbopaloobop alopbamboom!
Here is an obituary tribute from The Guardian, celebrating his life and influence.
Ever considered becoming an entrepreneur? Where could you start if you wanted to set up your own business? Would you like to meet local entrepreneurs and self-employed people to discover simple and achievable steps you can take in exploring this option for yourself.
We will have an expert panel from different industries. Join panel organiser Keith Seville who has just released his book ‘Mine Your Business: A Unique Journey of Self-Employment.’ Keith has run several businesses for more than 30 years. The panel will include members of Berkshire Black Business alongside founder Shirley Anstis who runs a successful counselling and writing practice. We’re working on a couple special guest speakers too.
This is an opportunity to find out more about how you can take small steps towards self-employment, build your network, find potential fans and customers. Is there a better way to celebrate black history month? The evening will be free of charge but your learning will be precious.