Literature on Lockdown 8: #BlackLivesMatter

The sadness, exhaustion, anger and frustration that have been expressed by Black people across social media this week have, of course, been felt for centuries.But, by living so much through our screens right now, observing video footage, scrolling through reposted statements and infographics, many of us have paid attention in a way we should have done long before. The murder of George Floyd has made it clear that, despite the feeling that everything is supposed to have changed as a result of Covid-19, so much has stayed the same. Floyd’s killing has had particular resonance for us in the UK too, where it has highlighted the realities of systemic racism and the particular impact this has for Black people and people of colour.Literature has a role to play in bringing communities together, and we are listening to how we can do this better. Black writing is integral to British literature, but continues to be marginalised and underrepresented.With this in mind, this week Literature on Lockdown has gathered opportunities for Black voices to be heard, platforms for the amplification of Black writers’ voices, and lists for white readers to educate themselves and do better. Though there has been anxiety, anger and a feeling of paralysis this week under lockdown, there have also been fundraisers, support from public figures, and reminders not to let the importance of this issue disappear beneath the next news cycle.You will be familiar with much of what we present here. We can’t... Continue reading at 'British Council global'

[ British Council global | 2020-06-05 16:46:27 UTC ]

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