When I started out writing this post I began by trying to relay many of the events which led to the formation of Black Lives Matter in 2014 along with lots of stories to help give context to the wider issues around it, white privilege, segregation, the KKK and so on. I wanted to share my findings and ideas gleaned from watching hours of facebook videos of racism and white privilege in action. But after seeing the various posts and comment sections on pages like FUBAR News with people failing to grasp the reasoning and ideas behind a movement like Black Lives Matter and why its important for Aberdeen to recognise it, I came to the conclusion that all the information you need is already out there and a simple google search will reveal the horror of why BLM exists and why its important. If people are unwilling to do even the simplest of research into such an important topic then their in lies the root of much of the worlds problems as we need to be informed before passing judgement.
Why apply empathy and understanding when you can jump straight to defensive tactics and divert away from the real issues which often seems to be the case. It's quite sad to see people on Aberdeen pages making claims about race issues only being an American problem despite friends in Aberdeen telling a different story. In other more progressive forums there's been a lot of interesting discussion, usually led by those most affected by racism and from these various slogans have blown up and been shared at some of the protests with 'just because it doesn't affect you doesn't mean its not real' being a good example. One of my favourites mantras came from artist David Shillinglaw, not directly related to race issues but to life, 'how about radical empathy' and it rings true for me. Imagine how much better things would be if we approached our daily situations from a point of empathy as apposed to mistrust or hurt, taking the time to listen, to put ourselves in others shoes. Of course even having that emotional capability can be a form of prevelidge. I've met many friends who've grown up in the hardest of circumstances and it can leave you unable to grow or understand what love and empathy are. But maybe that's why friends are calling on us to use our priveledge for good, for fairness, to shape a better future.
Away from the online forums many Aberdonians took to the streets to show their support for the movement with a series of interventions which showed the incredible power of protest art. Organised by members of Hysteria Aberdeen, an eclectic and inclusive poetry & comedy night, they took the city to task by placing up a series of temporary posters in prominent locations around the city including at Duthie Park, Marischal College, Woolmanhill and Westburn Road. Mary & Jenny made some posters to add to the protest and we headed along to stick them up. I was almost lost for words when I saw the sheer volume of posters taking up the entire railing along Westburn Road. It seemed like people from all corners of Aberdeen had added their voices to the protest and I felt quite proud of Aberdeen. What struck me the most was the people of all ages checking out the posters, groups of young black women, asian families and students all sharing space and sharing a moment. It was an instant eye opener to witness this first hand and not through the news filters or alogrithms of social media.
Of course there were some not so impressed, one man angrily ripped down a poster procaliming 'From Wick to Dumfries, Fuck the Police'. He might have been a police officer or perhaps he's always had positive interactions with Police Scotland. He didn't take down any of the other posters and being a believer in the power of art on the streets but also people's right to respond, it seemed fair enough. I also had a funny encounter with an older woman who tried to reprimand me for having my bike on the pavement as I took a photo, not so much white privilege as just Aberdeen privilege in action. I could imagine her appearing on one of those facebook videos, demanding to know if the protestors had permits to put up their posters on her park fence and why we're all these non Westenders on her pavement. It's horrible to think of being singled out for less just because of the colour of your skin and to know the inherent trauma of being black or non white in 21st century Britian and the hatred that's been shown across the centuries.
That's why these posters and these actions carry a real weight, one that I wasn't aware of. Aberdeen has never really felt like a city where people get behind causes of this nature and the power of it really hit me. Although we have a strong history of standing up against fascism and helping the oppressed, it seems like we've maybe let our guard down a bit. Certainly when I speak with my friends who've been directly affected by these issues, whether its racial insults, police racial profiling or other less invasive acts, the impact is still very real and its really up to each of us to not just be supportive of groups like Black Lives Matter but to actively be pushing our city to be better, to be inclusive and to be fair for everyone who calls Aberdeen home. This extends across the arts and culture secto.
The words of Angela Davis really capture what we should all be feeling "In a racist society, it is not enough to be non racist, we must be anti racist". Being aware of the issues, learning about the history, being an ally to marginalised groups and amplyfying their voices is a good place to start, whether in Alabama or Aberdeen, but we have to do the work, it can be challenging but its a damn sight better than getting bogged down in facebook group comment sections. Share interesting and challenging stories on your social media pages, ask questions to better understand topics you struggle with, build friendships with people who don't look like you, find common ground and common issues and share your findings with your friends. There are no simple solutions but there is a path to follow if you're willing. Respect to those adding their voices to the streets and to the friends who've shared their experiences with me. The work continues!
