Despite what politicians like Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer will have you believe, racism is a deeply British issue.
As Seun Matiluko writes in her piece examining this country’s racial inequalities, in the UK, Black people are disproportionately stopped and searched by the police and are over three times as likely to be arrested than white people. London’s Metropolitan Police are four times as likely to use force against Black people than white people, and Black people are more disproportionately imprisoned in the UK than in the US. Black and Brown people make up over half of the young offenders in the prison population.
As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to lead the fight for equality around the world, the creative community has been contributing, donating, and raising awareness and funds to the cause. Whether that’s ASAI donating profits from sales of its Hot Wok mini dress to three essential charity organisations or Glossier setting up a grant scheme for Black-owned beauty businesses.
Launching today, the Anti-Racism Photography Fundraiser is raising urgent funds for Black British charities and organisations The Black Curriculum, Black Minds Matter, and Exist Loudly, which support the Black community through education reform, mental health awareness and accessibility, and LGBTQ+ services and safe spaces.
Over 100 photographers have submitted images from their archives including Mario Sorrenti, Derek Ridgers, Corinne Day, Joyce NG, Kai Isaiah Jamal, and Alexandra Leese. All prints are £100 and the funds will be donated to the three organisations.
The fundraiser runs for three weeks starting today. Head over to the website to grab your print and donate much-needed funds to Black British charities. Click through the gallery above for a sample of the images on offer and see below for the full list of participating artists.
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