Friday 09-10-2020 - 10:43

“I disseminate the responsibility of introspection to all of us.”

Thoughts from SU President Seun Twins this Black History Month

As we celebrate the beginning of term and the successes of Freshers’ Week, let us not forget that it is October – Black History Month. 

Black History Month is particularly poignant this year – for obvious reasons. For me, a black woman, daughter of Nigerian immigrants, sister of a young black man, a black Durham graduate, and the first black Durham SU president, 2020 was sombre. The black community is going through very public, painful and prolonged mourning, where the wounds of our history were seemingly torn open – like a spectacle. We saw black bodies discarded, dismembered and disposed of on our timelines. Social media became the destination for black trauma porn. Covid-19 hit working-class black and brown communities the hardest as the general public disobeyed lockdown restrictions, endangering the lives of key/essential workers. Black Lives Matter protesters were demonised and mocked by the media, misrepresenting their righteous anger as violent riots. We saw black trans women and men become collateral in the patriarchy's war against people who want to live and love freely. 2020 was a tragedy for black people, and to be honest, the events were not that unusual; the mourning was just so public and we were all forced to watch.

I do not talk about my personal experiences of racism in Durham because I do not always feel safe. My very presence, concerns, interests and opinions are too political for the ‘Durham’ palate at times. To some, the real world cannot penetrate into our university bubble since the bubble has granted us immunity from the ills of the world. To some, if you are governed by real-world politics or see through the lens of inequality you are characterised as being hysterical. The experiences that shape us are curated by colonialism, imperialism, eugenics, genocide, environmental degradation and systemic violence. Therefore to call us 'overly political', or to reduce our concerns to ‘identity politics’ is to reveal yourself for what you truly are – which is privileged. 

At 22, I have come to realise that 80% of ignorance about racism is pure laziness and 70% of that 80% is intentional obtuseness. These conversations about race, culture, class, gender, intersectionality are not easy conversations, I admit; they are hard and complex and intricate, but they are also the bare minimum you can do. Therefore, I disseminate the responsibility of introspection to all of us; and implore everyone to dispel laziness in the name of anti-racism. “I didn’t know” or “I never thought about it like that” are no longer excuses, especially for those of us in higher education – it is now your responsibility to know.

As the black community continues this very public, painful and prolonged mourning, I speak to you – the white majority. So, Dear White People, what makes me sad is that it took a global pandemic and the effectual shutting down of life as we know it for you to recognise injustice. The black squares are missing and the infographics are few and far between. The cries of allyship and solidarity are muted. The fatigue of protest has set in and that makes me sad. 

I have no advice, no recommendations to offer, or encouraging words to deliver. As a black person, I am still going through very painful and prolonged mourning – so these are my just thoughts and take from that what you will.

Happy Black History Month.

Seun Twins, Durham SU President

Some groups in Durham to follow:

• Durham People of Colour Association
• Durham African and Caribbean Society
• Durham Intersectional Feminism Society
• Durham Womxn's Association