October & November Actions
SAR NOVEMBER UPDATE
SUPPORT SESSIONS:
FIRST SESSION: 18th December 2020
Lianna Bannister our Support Session Facilitator, has finished her training courtesy of Seeds For Change. She is looking to run sessions for people who have personally suffered racial abuse, or who care for someone who has suffered racial abuse, locally in a private and safe environment. The first session is on zoom, which will allow for all to attend regardless of restrictions.
We are excited about developing this group further and would encourage anyone who is interested to attend the initial session.
SAR AND STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL
Sabrina Pace Humphries did an incredible job of representing SAR at the Stoud Book Festival this year, in her fascinating interview with geneticist and BBC broadcaster Adam Rutherford. Here’s a link for anyone who missed it, it really is worth a watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0lrSbVupcg
LIVE DISCUSSIONS
There have been some detailed and complicated discussions surrounding the issues raised on SAR’s Facebook page around Sandi Adams, a holocaust denier, who was invited to speak at a rally in Stratford Park. Many members of the group expressed sorrow at their lack of knowledge around the subject. In response, SAR is going to host a conversation about Zionism and anti-Zionism, and the relationship between racism and anti-Semitism, with local speakers in discussion. This will take place mid January, and we will be welcoming questions in advance.
ANTI-RACISM EDUCATION
Books in schools: The funding applications are in, as we will want to be able to provide every secondary school in Gloucestershire with a class set of the text we are looking at a pretty big ask. The panel of readers selecting the books has narrowed it down to three. We will be looking for young readers to comment on our selection soon, and next month a push to get teachers to start creating accompanying resources will begin.
As well as being heavily involved in the selection of the novel, and the creation of the materials, The Acorn School has agreed to pilot the project before it is rolled out across the county. Barnwood Park Arts Academy has also agreed to be a pilot, and will be involved in fine-tuning the resources we create.
SAR PARTNERSHIPS
SAR has a new affiliation, as we have agreed an official partnership with The Local Equality Commission. Alongside the mentoring and advice we receive from Lives of Colour partnership, we feel well supported, and ready to really knuckle down to getting along with the projects in motion.
SAR YOUTH
The SAR Youth group are working on the legal and health and safety requirements to begin their meetings. The team has started working with a local school to investigate allegations made by a past pupil, and see how the school can offer a safer more welcoming environment.
SAR youth hope to bring their passion for anti-racism to all school leaders, encouraging them to include it in the curriculum.
Any young people who would like to become involved, please contact us on our website www.stroudagainstracism.co.uk
STROUD STALL
The stall will run on Saturday the 12th. We will be available for a chat about both SAR Lives of Colour, and the Local Equality Commission, and selling some Christmas presents with a wrapping service, come say hi!
BANNERS
Six local Black artists and artists of colour have been chosen for the Subrooms banners, and we are very excited for everyone to see them. We have been generously donated funds towards the majority of the project by local organisations, but we would like to invite anyone to contribute towards paying the artists and this public statement of solidarity. So please do look out for becoming a Patron on our website and donate.
LIBRARY
The SAR library is now stocked with over 100 books, however, covid restrictions have somewhat tied our hands! As soon as restrictions are loosened to the point that we are allowed to open we will release an update. We would welcome donations in either funds or in books to help grow the list of books available.
ADMINISTRATION/STAFF
We have lost a few staff due to health and moving away, however, as a result of our recruitment drive we have three new staff working on the Facebook page that are passionate and committed to working towards a fairer and more equitable future for all. We are receiving help and guidance with fundraising from the Barnwood Trust. The technical machinations of SAR is still in process and being supported by the talented Rhidian Stoddart. We now have a member of SAR, who is involved in the Police Accountability for Stop and Search team, Gareth Kitchen, as a valued member of our consultancy team.
LIVE INTERVIEWS
We have some fantastic interviews lined up. Khady Gueye who has become a leader in the anti-racist movement since her initial protest and has recently been the subject of sn ITV TV documentary, as well as being featured in press such as Marie Clair, will be joining us in a discussion of where she feels the work should be going in the future.
Local activist Tarra Melody will be online discussing the complicated and contentious appearance of radicalisation through fear that has become rife during the numerous lockdowns and restrictions we have all faced. We at SAR believe that this is essential to recognise if it is to be avoided as we have seen it permeate many previously open-minded area of our community.
SHOP
Nic Hill has done an incredible job so far as shop manager, she has arranged for the production of a new line of t-shirts using the artwork donated by Jimmy Critz, which are available in our online shop, as well as at the SAR stall. There are also art prints (all monies to go directly to the Stephen Lawrence Trust) Have a look!
https://www.stroudagainstracism.co.uk/shop
STROUD FAIR
This is frustratingly on hold, so we are looking into creating an online event.
PUBLIC MURALS
The Bank Gardens mural is truly beautiful, do go and check it out! I
POLITICAL FIGHT
The council seem to have lost steam in their interest in anti-racism, so we are putting increasing pressure on them to keep this in their minds and their meetings. If necessary we may need your help in the form of signing an open letter or starting a petition so they can see that we will not be placated with platitudes.