#WeNeedAnswers: An Emergency Community Conversation on 12th August. Register here
Dear All,
As we confront these challenging times, I am reminded of the 1970’s when as a young woman, the far-right National Front boldly marched through the streets of New Cross in my home borough of Lewisham in what became known as The Battle of Lewisham. The anti-racist response was collective, deep and strong however, the repercussions for our previously ‘multi-cultural’ community were felt for years to come. Our nation, yet again is experiencing a profound crisis, marked by planned racist riots that threaten the safety and dignity of our communities. It is in these moments of racist, anti-Muslim and white supremacist violence that we must come together, stand firm, and illuminate the path towards racial and social justice and peace.
Our strength lies in our unity, resilience, and shared commitment to equity. We must draw upon our collective power to protect one another, uplift those in need, and ensure that the voices of the oppressed are heard and respected. I am heartened this morning by the reports coming in from around the country of the show of strength on the streets, in which the anti-racists significantly outnumbered the far right. We collectively demonstrated last night, that racist riots will not be tolerated in our society.
We are a community bound by love, strength, and an unwavering belief in the inherent worth of every individual. Let us use this opportunity to educate, empower, and equip ourselves with the tools needed to combat racial hate and injustice. Together, we will rise above this crisis, stronger and more united than ever before.
The work of addressing racism in UK society is far from done and there is much to do over the coming months and years as we continue to stand together to create a fairer, more equitable world.
You are invited to join our online community conversation which takes place on Monday 12th August from 6.30pm to 8pm. The Zoom link for this emergency community conversation will be sent out privately on the morning of the event. Please register on this link below:
In solidarity,
Yvonne Field OBE Hon FRIBA
There is an important update from The Ubele Initiative dedicated to providing you with the resources and support necessary to navigate these tumultuous times, here
