Invicta Vlogs
A Voice for Change
This week’s theme of the week is Rule of Law: Race Relations Act 1968. This Act recognises a momentous time in history, making it illegal to discriminate against someone due to race. I am sure that I was not the only person to be surprised that this Act is such a recent part of our history, and perhaps in my naivety, my assumption to think that we would be a lot further on, in eradicating racism since then.
Growing up in Northern Ireland in the 1990s, diversity was a word that felt quite foreign (no pun intended). We had two girls in our whole school who weren’t white Northern Irish, and one of those was English. Racism is not something that I had ever come across, and the only aspect we were taught about, was following the Irish Potato Famine in 1845, during which a quarter of the country’s population either died of starvation or fled to other countries seeking refuge, and subsequently faced discrimination. We saw pictures of shop signs in London stating ‘No Blacks, no Irish, no dogs’ - an image that was both horrifying and yet without explanation of where this discrimination came from. And yet, as a student, this image seemed so far back in history, I did not feel it had any implication in the world as it is now.
The year of 2020 is one that will also make its mark in the history books, and yet not just for Covid - 19 alone. It has been seen in history time and time again, that when populations are scared, that cases of racial attacks increase. It was unsettling to hear about the Covid - 19 pandemic being referred to as the ‘Chinese virus’, and to then see a rise in racist and xenophobic violence and discrimination, particularly in America.
This year, has also been marked by the unlawful killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, shot dead, unarmed, by police. This is by no means the first case of such an incident, but it was an important moment in history when people across the world spoke out and demanded justice, and through that, change. In order to root out discrimination, people must use their voice to speak out, and if that voice becomes loud enough, it will be heard. Peaceful protests, ‘vlogging’ and ‘tweeting’ catapulted this story into making a change. The Black Lives Matter campaign is not only one that challenges the justice system but has allowed us to reflect on our own views and find ways that we can support this community. I have seen a lot about a greater diversity being called for within the Film and Television industry, and coming up to Christmas, I have seen promotion for local Black-owned businesses.
At Invicta, we are so proud of our students who see that their voice can make change in the world around them. Our Senior Prefect Team made a BLM video, compiled by students across the school, speaking passionately about the need for equality. This has led to a TIDE group being formed – a group, working within the school to embed racial equality within the school, both within subject curriculums, personal development and extra-curricular opportunities, as well as one of our RAG charities being selected for its work to fight racial inequality across the world. We speak so often about our girls becoming the future leaders within this country, and it personally fills me with hope and excitement to think what change they can use their voice for.
Mrs Harrington
Deputy Headteacher – Upper School
