Let’s start with the fact that I went to a predominantly black secondary school. When I got to college there were less black people, when I was at university there were even less black people and by the time I started my PhD… well… our rarity indirectly catapulted me into the involuntary position of ‘spokesperson…
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You may be in favour of Black History Month. You may hate the idea. You may believe that Black History should be a year-round affair and that giving it just one month is an insult to Black Culture. Truthfully, I understand both arguments. It’s why Brits + Pieces have a dedicated space for Black History…
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We do not dream for one moment that the Black people in Britain can organise themselves as a unit totally separate from other Black forces in the world. Black Power is an international concept. – Obi Egbuna (founder of the BBPM) Civil Rights movements are often remembered as being based in America to fight against…
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There was a comment made by a white male on BBC Question Time that has understandably caused quite some controversy: ‘The UK is one of the least racist societies across Europe.’ There are so many problems with this statement my fingers are itching in disgust as I type this article. In the words of the…
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Instagram is not just a place for the hallowed selfies or holiday pictures. With an ever-growing user base, the photo-sharing app has established itself as a ubiquitous social media marketing tool that’s here to stay. In 2017, there were an estimated 17.2 million Instagram users in the UK, with 61% of the total being 18-34,…
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Photo credit: cover image is a tattoo by Sammy Inks Yes, they exist! I went to tattoo studios Ink Lounge and Inkhouse London to find out a bit more about some Black Brit tattooists. My first stop is Ink Lounge in Palmer’s Green, North London. I don’t have any tattoos myself so I don’t really know…
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Summer has officially come to an end after a longevity of heatwaves, frozen bottles of water and melted foundation. It’s finally time to welcome back our English weather with a smile of chattering teeth and wave goodbye to your autumn/winter blues before they even begin. Life is way too short to be locked up at…
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Be the person who connects the branches to your family tree. There is so much more to us than just being Brits. We are Black Brits and for some of us, our identities derive from a variety of countries – which we should be visiting – at least once. As the Christmas season creeps up…
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Our relationship with our hair has been historically complex – everywhere between school, to the water cooler and even the gym. Although our hair grows from our own scalps, it’s still perceived as a peculiarity. For many years, mainstream media has cast black hair as ‘unattractive’ and ‘unprofessional’ in the eye of European standards of…
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UNI – it’s new and exhilarating, but completely foreign territory. 7 years on from my own Freshers’ Week and I still remember that buzz I had when I landed on campus, ready for my first experience living away from home, not knowing quite what to expect. Freshers’ Week and first year, in general, is the start of…
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