Content warning: the following blogpost references sensitive content regarding racial violence including the death of Black individuals, as well as racial injustice and oppression. Please read with care.

With 25 May being the third anniversary of George Floyd’s death, we join LSE in coming together as a community to reflect on the ongoing struggle for racial equity and justice. While this anniversary can be a catalyst for many for such reflection, it is important to remember that these commitments to antiracism and combatting racial inequality spans far beyond times like Black History Month or Diversity Week. It requires sustained introspection, conversation and commitment to discomfort.

The LSE and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team has named Thursday 25 May the “Day of Reflection” in which members of the community take “a date to contemplate the issues and injustice that perpetuate racial inequity, to consider how we can prioritse self-care, so we can effectively support others.”

They have developed activities to help spark reflection, which you can read more about in their newsletter, or below:

• Share your thoughts and expressions on race equity for our Virtual Reflection Wall: What actions will you take to address race inequity? What actions would you like to see LSE take to address race inequity? This is a completely confidential space to share, and your responses will remain completely anonymous. The EDI team will listen and consider these experiences as we support our community. We will be collating all the anonymous feedback, thoughts, and stories on a Virtual Reflection Wall which will be shared with the community, offering insights into the general thoughts and sentiments within our community. Together, let’s shape a more equitable and inclusive future for LSE.
• LSE Listen Audio Clip: Embrace collaborated with members of our community to create a thought-provoking audio clip, which was recorded in 2020. This piece features lived experiences from our staff and students of colour at LSE, with actors of colour reading their testimonies.
• ‘Dear Employer’: Watch an animated short film that issues a strong call to employers and colleagues to observe, recognise, and understand racism and its impact on mental health in the workplace. Use this film as a starting point for open conversations on racism at work and increase awareness of how implicit and explicit racism and racist practices impact our staff.
• Become an inclusive leader by engaging with the thought leadership of The Inclusion Initiative at LSE.
• Attend the LSE Festival: Participate in an intellectually stimulating series of events and talks hosted by The Inclusion Initiative and The International Inequalities Institute. The festival explores themes of race, structural inequality, social mobility, and societal fairness.

Additionally, as a form of reflection, the Volunteer Centre has revisited our 2020 thread of UK-based organisations that are fighting racism by updating how you can support these wonderful groups. Now, we share an updated list which ideas on how to further engage in not only reflection but also action by supporting the most recent activities of these organisations, as well as some new ones:

• The 4Front Project was set up by LSE alumni Temi Mwale to “serve young people who have experienced trauma, violence and racial injustice, by fighting for their rights, supporting them to heal, and empowering them to build communities where they are nurtured, protected and respected.” You can support their mission by donating to the organisation, connecting with them on social media, or listening to podcasts they’ve participated in.
• The Black Cultural Archives seeks to collect, preserve and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK and to inspire and give strength to individuals, communities, and society. There are a variety of ways you can support them, from exploring the archives, volunteering for the organisation, or becoming a patron, friend, or donor. Additionally, they are hosting a discussion with Mervyn Weir on his book, ‘I Can’t Breathe: George Floyd and the Legacy of Racism.’ You can book tickets to the event which takes place on Thursday 25 May from 18:30-20:30.
• Akwaaba Hackney is a Hackney-based social centre for migrants, regardless of immigration status, ‘race’, religion, country of origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and (dis)ability. You can support their cause in many ways, such as sponsoring their migrant fund, donating to their arts and crafts workshop, or volunteering for their Kids’ Space.
• The Runnymede Trust is an independent race equality think tank who are working towards building a Britain in which all citizens and communities feel valued, enjoy equal opportunities, lead fulfilling lives, and share a common sense of belonging. You can support their work through donating to the Trust. You can also look at their Twitter for a nexus of resources and helpful reflective materials.
• Blueprint for All works with young people and communities to create an inclusive society in which everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background, can thrive. You can donate to their organisation, support their programmes, and check out their news page for more content for further reflection.
• Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity to challenge misconceptions, stereotypes, and negative attitudes in society. There are many ways to get involved in their cause, including joining them for the Wear Red Day campaign on Friday 20^th October, 2023 and joining one of their clubs.
• The Black Curriculum empowers young people and educators across the UK to engage with Black British history 365 days a day. You can check out their podcast for more great content about teaching Black British history, donate to their organisation, and follow their Twitter for more resources and spaces that need your support.

Do you have a charity that is doing similar work, such as racial equity, anti-racism, or Black community programming, as the ones we engaged with in this blogpost? Please email volunteering@lse.ac.uk so we can get in touch and help support their organisation and cause!