Racial violence and hate impact all of us. It is not only Black and Brown communities that suffer—police officers, who are tasked with protecting everyone in the community, have been injured. Businesses have been destroyed and looted. A man caring for the elderly had his car destroyed when it was set on fire by rioters. Even food banks and libraries were not spared, to name just a few examples. These facilities, infrastructure, and services looted and destroyed are essential to our safety and the smooth functioning of our collective lives. They are also costly to restore.
Fear has gripped Black and Brown communities in Hull and across the country. I hear about this fear when I speak with friends and other community members at church, work, and home. This fear casts a shadow over our daily lives, leaving us constantly on edge and questioning our sense of safety and belonging in the communities where we live, work, and serve.
Therefore, as we commemorate this year’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, collective, serious reflection is essential on its deep-rooted legacies. The recent violence has brought this reality into stark focus, where the hatred that Black and Brown bodies continue to endure has been manifested physically.
It is reassuring to note the response by the justice system. As of August 15, 2024, of the 460 people arrested in connection with this violence, all have faced their day in court, and at least 99 have already been sentenced. The wheels of justice have turned rapidly, and it is hoped that all responsible will soon face the full extent of the law. It is also reassuring to see so many standing in solidarity with those affected, participating in anti-racism protests, and checking up on the well-being of their friends, colleagues, and others concerned.
May the solidarity against racism continue to stand firm and grow, not only in addressing violent disorder but also in addressing other forms of violence that do not physically manifest, such as structural violence that affects people's opportunities for a thriving life. Above all, may we continue to check up on one another and work together to build a world dedicated to dismantling the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade and the hate it fuelled for black and brown people.