This article is focused on the following Sustainable Development Goals:
The Black Lives Matter Movement came out booming once again during this quarantine in 2020. After the insane increase in deaths of multiple black people and people of colour (POC), people have made it clear to all the men in power and everyone around the world that they’ve had enough and would no longer be silent. Even though black people are only 13% of the U.S. population, they are 23% of those shot and killed by police. Institutions all over the world followed this by sending out statements in support of the BLM movement.
I’ve chosen specific goals that I think truly apply to what I’m trying to say:
16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
16.10 b Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.
As previously stated, institutions worldwide came out with statements showing their solidarity with Black lives. From television networks and organizations to universities and schools all over the world. However, it’s no question that all these institutions still have miles to go in what they’re doing to amplify, support and protect black voices in their communities. I chose this SDG because of its emphasis on ensuring equal justice for all and effective transparency in institutions at all levels. This means everything from the biggest organizations you know to any two thousand people high school. I think it’s very important that the movement does not become a trend but stays prevalent in all of our lives from here on out because justice for black people and POC is something that is long overdue.
Learning about justice for POCs should start from a young age making it crucial that schools begin to develop methods to educate their students about systemic oppression, racism and microaggressions. It’s the job of the school or university’s administration and faculty to help students understand what this means and what POC face throughout their lives.
I’ve outlined a couple of steps that I think any institution could take in order to improve the lives of their black friends, students, workers, etc. and make spaces more comfortable and accepting.
Create spaces to talk about race
Your students should feel comfortable expressing their opinions and views
Most importantly, they should feel comfortable asking questions
Discussion leads to understanding
Implement lessons based on grade-level and educator resources
Some information may be too hard for younger students to understand or connect with. Therefore, whatever you’re teaching should be appropriate for the respective division or level.
Teach students about important historical figures that their history books left out
History changing black and POC leaders.
Game-changing Black women.
Teach about cultures outside of your own (your host country’s own)
Teach about Black LGBTQIA+ lives
When we say Black lives matter, we mean ALL black lives.
Implement a ‘Week of Action’
Have a time where students can take courses or have class time to learn about specific movements that changed history and the lives of black people forever
Eg. Harlem Renaissance, Black Panther Party, MLK movements and leadership.
AMPLIFY Black History Month
Take the opportunity to educate students about this month. Don’t just let it pass by.
Explain the meaning and origins of the Black Lives Matter movement
Talk about the history of black people and why this movement came out.
Discuss police brutality, systematic oppression, racism in workplaces and school places, fetishization, “types” and “preferences,” mass incarceration, income disparity, gender inequality, etc.
Most importantly, it is important that all institutions remember that it is not the duty of their black or POC counterparts to educate them on the struggles of black people, systemic racism and oppression or how to be good allies.
Black people have been experiencing oppression for over 400 years and it’s time for a change. Not only will this benefit students and faculty so they can all learn from it, but it will create a culture and climate for students to want to be educated and continue that education for generations and years to come. This is a long term plan that should be installed into the system immediately because to start somewhere is better than not starting at all. And doing something is better than not doing anything at all. Creating a better environment for communities and for students is something that should be prioritized and welcomed.
Starting with these steps will hopefully spark an ongoing and continuous environment fused with reflection and right-minded, effective conversation for students and workers of all ages, backgrounds and races. It is so important to start learning and participating in conversations about social injustices. It is the job of the institution to cater to their people independent of race and create a transparent and healthy relationship with them. No one race should ever benefit more from something as immaterial as skin colour. Now more than ever it is important to care about it, cry about it, mourn about it. protest about it, and learn about it. And remember, instead of judging people for being angry, ask yourself why they’re angry, then ask yourself why you’re not just as angry as they are.
Remember, change starts with you.
External Resources
Here are some websites which can help our cause!
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