Black Networking Group (Far South West)

Web Site:-   www.blacknetworkinggroup.co.uk

NETWORKING:-

In 1786, when a free black man called Henry Demane was kidnapped into slavery, it was Ottobah Cuggano (below) who alerted Granville Sharp.  Sharpe famously invoked English Law to rescue Demane.

This painting (below) is often wrongly thought to be that of Olaudah Equiano.   The frontispiece of Equianos autobiography is shown above.

Home PageABOUT THE BLACK NETWORKING GROUP

The Group has agreed to use the word “Black” as a political expression (see link below).  It refers to Asian, African and African Caribbean and other visible minority ethnic people who share a common experience of racism or racial discrimination in the UK.  By defining ourselves as Black we are referring to our own collective experiences in resisting, challenging and surviving racism. 

The aim of the group is to reduce the isolation felt by many black and minority ethnic people who live and work in rural communities in the far South West of England.  Personal and group support is offered via a  network of individual members and connected supportive networks.  It is dependant on individual members personal expertise, time commitments, professional and life experience.  Separate regular group meetings for support and for business are organised in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset; the frequency in each is dependent on need.  Members undertake work for the group on a voluntary basis. 

The group send out a regular newsletter to keep members informed of activities, training, conferences, information, anti-racist activities and sources of advice. The group currently (July 2002) has 131 members, including 28 in Cornwall County, 21 in Exeter City, 14 in Devon County, 54 in Plymouth City, and others as far apart as Bristol/Somerset/Gloucester/Dorset.   Many members are involved with other groups such as The National Civil Rights Movement, Trade Union Black Self-Organised Groups, local Race Equality Councils, etc.   Information of interest to members is passed on via the Newsletter and e-mail newsgroup.  Contributions to the Newsletter are always welcome from members. 

During school holidays Children and Family Activity Days are organised for black, mixed race, and other visible minority ethnic children to get together in a safe supportive environment to have fun, share activities and time with each other.   Parents and carers have the opportunity to network.  These are very popular events and white parents and carers of black children are particularly welcome to attend.   

The family days give children and carers positive contact with others having similar experience.  Having an impact on addressing a sense of isolation and vulnerability, they contribute towards self and community identity, raise levels of self esteem and confidence, and provide opportunities to share information and knowledge of anti-racist strategies or just simply learn creative skills.  Until the needs of Black and minority ethnic people are met by the statutory agencies, black self-development is the only effective means of providing what we need.

The group aims to promote, develop, evaluate and uphold, from a Black perspective, policies and practices affecting public sector employees, trainees and users of public or private services.  The Group is used in a consultative capacity by, and works in partnership with, many statutory bodies.  Currently such organisations as Plymouth & District REC, Plymouth City Council Anti-Racism Taskforce, Devon County Council, Devon & Exeter REC, Intercom, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau, Plymouth 2000 Partnership (SRB) Ltd, Cornwall Library Service, and Local Schools and Social Services Departments. 

 The BNG has a Library of books, periodicals, and materials, and a database held on one of the two group computers allows members of the group to borrow materials as required.  The widest range of materials and resources are kept and categories include:- Anti-Racism, History, Health, Equal Opportunities, CRE and other publications, Law, Training,  specimen policies etc.etc.

We know of a few indicative incidences of solidarity within London's eighteenth-century Black population.   In 1773 two Black men were confined in Bridewell prison in London for begging.    More than 300 black people visited them during their incarceration, and provided them with material support during their detention.

http://www.mckenziehpa.com/

Photo Gallery

Family Activity Day Photo 1

Family Activity Day Photo 2

"The overall UK employment rate is 74.6 per cent while the employment rate for visible ethnic minorities is 58.1 per cent."

"Black people in Bristol are five times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people."

"UK Ethnic Minorities are three times more likely to be homeless."

"In the UK race attacks are almost ten times more likely to happen in rural areas."

Unbeknown to many parents, a few hair products - especially some marketed to black people - contain small amounts of hormones that could cause premature sexual development in girls.

see NewScientist at:- http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992119

NEWSFLASH:-

Commonwealth Soldier Who Fought With British Army In Iraq Is Denied UK Passport - Because He Was Serving Abroad

Shocked: Rogers Jean-Baptiste has accused the British Government of 'betrayal'

As a soldier in the British Army, Rogers Jean-Baptiste served proudly during his first posting to Iraq.
He volunteered for a second tour of duty there and when he finally left the service after four years his discharge certificate bore the single word "exemplary".

But now the St Lucia-born former lance corporal has been told he can't become a British citizen - because he applied on the wrong date

http://blink1990.org.uk//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=76

"Back then, they demonised "coloured" immigrants Today they demonise "bogus" asylum seekers How can we change the terms of the debate?"

http://www.blink.org.uk/borders/

Any BNGroup members with suggestions for this WebSite whether material, layout or design are invited to contact Mac (web manager).  Anyone with, ideas, resources, or time to create new material for the site are particularly welcome!

Web manager:-   to be updated be updated

• Reproduced from and respect to:  http://www.blacknet.co.uk/newslet_150702

• "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil -- hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

• "When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it... always." (Mahatma Gandhi)

• "Nobody can help everybody, but everybody can help somebody." (Anon)

• "Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand." (Chinese Proverb)

• "If you give me some food you have fed me for a day. If you teach me to grow food then you have fed me until the land is over-taxed so it can be seized for development. But if you teach me to organize, then whatever the challenge, I can join together with my peers and we will fashion our own solution." (Anon)