Dear readers, Welcome to your first-ever, real and proper weekly edition of the Race Report newsletter or, as we've been calling it in-house: 'RR 2.0'. Lots has been going on, hasn't it? New UK prime minister Keir Starmer is being urged to announce a new Race Equality Act in today's King's Speech as an important declaration of his party's intent to do right by Black and Asian communities. Will he? Over in Wales, First Minister Vaughan Gething quit his job yesterday, months after becoming the first African-heritage leader of any European country. A few days ago, I revealed that a Metropolitan Police officer, who broke cancer patient Errol Dixon's nose during a traffic stop, may face criminal charges over the incident. I've just returned from New Orleans, USA, which was my home for the past few days. 'Why?,' I hear you ask. Well, keep scrolling for more information about that! I've got all the tea. In the news this week: |
|
|
Beryl has wreaked havoc across countries in the Caribbean including Grenada (Pictured) |
Devastated Caribbean communities have been left trying to pick up the pieces of their lives after Hurricane Beryl ripped through the region, ravaging Grenada, Carriacou, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, plus more locations. As you all know, I'm of Jamaican heritage and I love the Caribbean. People living across the islands have told me about the damage wreaked by Beryl; with dozens of people dead, the hurricane has destroyed homes, schools and crops. Both experts and political leaders in the Caribbean have pointed out that climate change plays a huge part in the occurrences of these natural – or more pointedly, rather unnatural – disasters. Hurricanes are fuelled by heat and while countries continue to warm the planet with harmful carbon emissions, the likelihood of warm ocean waters helping to create storms like Beryl to quickly develop increases. Britain is a significant producer of these emissions, both today and historically, and countries in the Caribbean bear the brunt when it comes to hurricanes. This disaster matters; thousands of Caribbean citizens are facing food shortages, homelessness, health crises and more, as a result. While the UK has announced an aid package for the Caribbean, it has been heartening to see members of the Caribbean diaspora consolidating efforts to help those affected, demonstrating the importance of people power. For example, Caribbean-heritage comedians Judi Love, Ava Vidal and White Yardie are hosting respective fundraising events. We must all rally around the Caribbean in her hour of need... particularly the West. |
|
|
Would you rather watch a play about slavery with an exclusively Black audience? |
|
|
Essence Festival was a whole vibe! |
Me, posing at Essence Festival! |
So, yes, I recently ventured to the United States of America. New Orleans, in Louisiana, was my home for a few days, where I attended the globally renowned Essence Festival. You see, my documentary, Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind, was selected out of over 1000 movies to be screened within Essence's film festival segment. My production was shown within and around films and events involving Hollywood giants like Ava Duvernay, Morris Chestnut and Meagan Good. Chile, I was gassed. Running for 30 years, Essence Festival is one of the world's largest festivals of Black culture. So seeing my debut film up there in lights was truly amazing. Between festival stuff, it was nice to soak up the 34+ degree weather, check out the Civil Rights Museum, visit Audubon Zoo (where I was told off by a parrot, eyeballed by an alligator and frowned at by a monkey), prop up the bar at Bourbon Street and more. I'm talking shopping, baby; Gumbo galore and more Beignets than you can shake a stick at. The people are very friendly, too. I'm glad I got to experience all of this with my best friend, too. We had a laugh! Our colleagues in The Independent's US office published insightful coverage of all the magic that took place at the Essence Festival this year. I have written extensively about Barrel Children of Windrush. Plus, you may recall that a short version of my film was platformed on The Independent's website in 2022 which is still available for viewing. Check out my Instagram for more about my trip. |
|
|
At The Independent, nobody tells us what to think; we make up our own mind and aren't afraid to do things differently. Like our readers, we value honesty and integrity above outside influences. With your support, we challenge the status quo, uncover crucial stories, and amplify unheard voices. If you like what we do, do take out a subscription and help support the best quality online-only journalism. |
|
|
| Next week, I'll be writing more about Hurricane Beryl relief efforts and hoping to see reggae star Sanchez perform live in London. Looking forward to the upcoming Black Writers Guild conference too! |
|
|
| As you can see above, I'm now asking Race Report subscribers for their views on a topic in a regular poll. Check back here for the results of today's poll next week. |
|
|
Join the conversation or follow us |
|
| Download the free Independent app |
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Race Report newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's Race Report newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy notice and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
