One demonstrator perfectly summed up our feelings on the Black Lives Matter protests:

“If my son went for some skittles and didn’t return,

Or played in the park and didn’t return,

Or went for a jog and didn’t return,

Or reached for his license and didn’t return,

And with his last breath called out my name,

I would burn down the damn city too.”

Nothing but nothing can justify the systematic and relentless bullying, abuse and murder by the police of Black people. Many many personal stories have arisen in the last few weeks, from Black people, of they’re mistreatment by individuals and society at large. I thought I was pretty switched on to the hardships of Black people and people of colour but I’ve been shocked and it’s made me wonder if I was naive or in denial.

So education seems a good way to start. The organisation The Black Curriculum is committed to the teaching and support of Black history all year round. They deliver arts focused Black history programmes, provide teacher training and campaign through mobilising young people to facilitate social change.

We’re giving 15% of book sales to the Black Curriculum until the end of August 2020.