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Sport
The lion who never roared
In 1925, Plymouth Argyle’s Jack Leslie became the first Black footballer to be selected for England, only to be swiftly dropped because of the colour of his skin. Although he still had an illustrious career, this shameful incident was largely forgotten until a group of supporters launched a campaign that led to a statue of Leslie at the Argyle stadium and the award of an honorary cap from the FA in 2023. Matt Tiller, co-founder of the Jack Leslie Campaign and author of The Lion Who Never Roared, which tells Jack’s story, speaks to the Runnymede Trust’s Shafik Meghji.
Culture
So you've read a lot of books on anti-racism - now what?
Following Black Lives Matter, there's been a surge in interest in anti-racist literature – but what do you do once you've done all the reading? Banseka Kayembe, founder of Naked Politics, offers some pointers for allies in the struggle against racism.
History
Beyond Banglatown: the rich history of Brick Lanes curry restaurants
A new research project by Runnymede, in conjunction with the University of Manchester, sheds light on the rich history of Brick Lane's curry restaurants. Here, research associate Sundeep Lidher explains why the team have turned their findings into an educational resource that is accessible to all.
Global
Speaking up: Anti-East Asian racism during Covid-19
A year of unprecedented events has led to more discussion about the structural racism experienced by different groups in the UK than we've had in a generation. Here, Claire Lee, a Reframer on the Reframing Race programme, explores her own experience of anti-East Asian racism, and considers where this fits in the context of the wider landscape of Black Lives Matter and widespread racial injustice.
Health
There Then, Here Now: BME people & the NHS
Runnymede hosted a webinar on Windrush Day (22nd June) entitled There Then, Here Now: BME people and the NHS. Here, Runnymede’s Research and Policy Assistant Nick Treloar, summarises some highlights from the hour-long discussion.
Identity
The importance of heritage: black adopters needed
Children need a safe and loving home. When biological families are unable to provide it, looked-after children turn to the state to find one for them. Here, Grace Gomez of Parents and Children Together (PACT) explains the race factor that means black children, particularly, face greater barriers than others.
Politics
The case for a public inquiry into Covid-19 deaths
As pressure mounts on the government to provide not just evidence of the problem - but a plan for solutions, criminology doctoral student Carson Cole Arthur of Birkbeck University makes the case for a public inquiry into Covid-19.
Education
7 Actions to Change the History Curriculum
Sundeep Lidher (historian & Runnymede's co-lead on Our Migration Story) and Hannah Elias (historian & Lecturer in Black British History at Goldsmiths) outline seven simple things you can do to change the history curriculum to include histories of migration, Black British experience and colonialism.
Environment
The race factor in access to green space
As we edge closer to the end of the lockdown conditions, one thing this unprecedented set of rules has taught us is the value of green space. Here, Beth Collier, a Nature Allied Psychotherapist and Director of Wild in the City outlines why green spaces and time in natural settings have always been vital to our mental and physical health, and how having less access to them has a significant impact on black and minority ethnic (BME) people in the UK.
Education
Follow-up letter: Predicted grades & BME students
Following up on a previous open letter raising concerns about disadvantaged social and ethnic groups and the impact of predicted grades, Runnymede and more than a dozen other signatories (see full list below) sent this letter to the Education Minister today (29 April 2020).
Economy
The Colour of Money: race and economic inequality
Black and minority ethnic (BME) people in Britain face extensive and persistent economic inequality, finds Runnymede’s latest report The Colour of Money: How racial inequalities obstruct a fair and resilient economy. Runnymede Director and report author Dr Omar Khan outlines some of the findings, which entirely fit the current COVID-29 pandemic context.
Politics
State of the Nation: New comprehensive analysis on race in Britain
Just as the coronavirus pandemic shines a light on existing inequalities, Runnymede releases important deep analysis on race and racism in the UK. Here, Dr Omar Khan, Runnymede Director and co-author of the freely available book, outlines what you can expect to find in it.
Politics
Windrush: 10 urgent recommendations
Runnymede and 35 race equality, migrant rights and human rights organisations, and Windrush campaigners, wrote to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel MP, outlining ten key recommendations to prioritise following the publication of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review in March 2020.
Education
Open Letter: Predicted grades & BME students
Runnymede and others wrote to the Education Secretary amid concerns that certain groups, including BME students, may lose out due to existing racial disparities when predicted grades are accepted in place of exam results. See the full letter and list of signatories below; the open letter first appeared in the Times Education Supplement (TES) online.
Health
Coronavirus will increase race inequalities
All any of us can think about at the moment is the coronavirus pandemic and how it will affect us, our families, wider communities and society as we know it. Here, our Deputy Director Dr Zubaida Haque looks at existing societal inequalities and how the impact of COVID-19 will affect black and minority ethnic communities given this context.
Racism and the rise of populist movements
The link between racist narratives and the rhetoric of populist movements is often clear to the naked eye. But why is this connection so well established? As the rise of populism has dynamically changed the political landscape of so many countries, Professor of Sociology Ali Rattansi explores why the same old racist and xenophobic tropes are repeated the world over.
Migration
Hostile environment: Forced deportations resumed
As the government resumes its widely criticised programme of forced deportation by charter flights, Zita Holbourne, a human rights campaigner and National Chair of BARAC UK, makes the link between this inhumane practice and the Windrush injustice.
Politics
Gypsies and Travellers: Worst changes for a decade
As the new government seeks to honour the Conservative election pledge to 'tackle unauthorised Traveller camps' Emma Nuttall of Friends, Families and Travellers urges you to fill in this consultation, which may otherwise result in some of the worst changes the community has seen for a decade.
Politics
Race Equality in the 2019 General Election Manifestos
Ahead of the General Election on December 12, 2019, Runnymede's Nick Treloar lays out the pledges relating to race equality and those directly impacting black and minority ethnic (BME) communities made in the major national parties' manifestos.
History
Remembering ALL our war heroes
In this month of remembrance, Amber Khan recalls tales of her late grandfather, Noor Alam, who, although he did not have a white face and never fought in Europe, was typical of a class of soldier that helped Britain win the defining wars of the 20th century.
Identity
3 things to unite our communities
As part of Runnymede and CLASS think tank's #ReclaimTheAgenda campaign, 20 year-old Lisa Eigbadon, from RECLAIM, a leadership organisation supporting working class young people in Manchester, shares her thoughts on how to practically unite communities.
Criminal Justice
Event report: Reporting Racism
Following an event in parliament last week (Thursday 24 October 2019) called by Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary Dawn Butler MP, Runnymede Research and Policy Assistant Nick Treloar has written this record of the rich discussion on the day.
History
Black British Coal Miners: Significance and Sacrifice
Historian and exhibition creator Norma Gregory's work shines a light on the unrecognised contributions, experiences and histories of Black British coal miners. As part of Runnymede and CLASS thinktank's #ReclaimTheAgenda campaign, Norma writes about the importance of documenting and recognising hundreds of African Caribbean men who are largely ignored by mainstream social history.
History
Race & Class: It's time to #ReclaimTheAgenda
This week the Runnymede Trust and the Centre for Labour and Social Studies are running #ReclaimTheAgenda, a social media campaign focusing on overcoming ‘divide and rule’ rhetoric. Such language has long fuelled prejudice and oppression of migrant and black and minority ethnic (BME) people while distracting us from addressing the issues affecting UK’s diverse working class. Brexit is an obvious example. Here Runnymede's Research Analyst Laurie Mompelat introduces the campaign.
History
Helen Hayes MP: 'Black history is central to the making of Britain'
On October 23, 2019 Runnymede and Helen Hayes MP are organising a photo call in parliament with MPs showing their support for Black history to be taught in schools all year round and not just during Black History Month. Here, Helen Hayes explains why she believes teaching Black history, migration and Empire in schools is important.
Islamophobia
Liberté Égalité Fraternité: But not for Muslim Women
As the French state and citizens' targeting of Muslim women shows little signs of decline, our (French) Research and Policy Assistant Nick Treloar examines the thinking behind linking this form of islamophobia to a cornerstone of French democracy - 'laïcité' (secularism).
Global
'No deal' Brexit is bad news for UK's 8m BME people
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to brandish the unwelcome prospect of an exit from the European Union with no agreed relationship to take its place, Runnymede Deputy Director Dr Zubaida Haque shifts the focus to black and ethnic minority communities in the UK. The 8 million BME Brits might have been at the sharp end of an increase in racist violence and abuse following the Brexit vote, but their collective voices are yet to be heard.
Employment
Action, not theory: Diversity in creative industries
Professor Sarita Malik, Project Lead on the Creative Interruptions project (with which Runnymede has collaborated) suggests that a new, radical system is needed to tackle the gap between diversity in policy and diversity in practice in the cultural and creative industries.
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