12 foot sculpture of Black woman draws criticism, another Black child dies after entering water and other stories from Black, Asian and Arab communities in the UK - curated by Melissa Sigodo
Of course a sculpture of a Black woman is causing outrage
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This week saw another Black child die after entering water. There have been four deaths that I am aware of involving children who are mainly Black this year, and it is so heartbreaking to hear of these tragic incidents. It feels as though more needs to be done to raise awareness about the dangers of swimming in open water.
If you know any young people who might be thinking of entering open water during the warmer weather, please warn them of how dangerous it can be.
It could save a life.
As usual, I’ve recapped all the stories that you probably missed, as well as one that slipped through the cracks a couple of weeks ago, and an exclusive from The Source.
Here’s what you shouldn’t have missed this week.
News
A 12-foot sculpture of a Black woman by Black British artist Thomas J Price is now in Times Square. The work called Grounded in the Stars ‘emerges from Price’s ‘ongoing deconstruction of preconceived notions about identity and how Black individuals can claim space on their own terms.’ However, Thomas’s work has received backlash with social media users claiming it was made to “piss off white people” while others say it isn’t an accurate representation of Black women. Read the full story on Artnet.
The British public is “largely unaware” that people from countries including Jamaica and Kenya, as well as Muslim soldiers, fought alongside British troops in the second world war, research has found. Read the full story by Chris Osuh at The Guardian.
A 13-year-old-boy who died after being pulled from a canal in Exeter has been named as Delvin Musakwa. Emergency services were called on Monday after reports a child had failed to surface after jumping in. His devastated family have asked for privacy and his death is not being treated as suspicious. Read the police release here.
A 26-year-old woman from Glasgow was found dead inside a hotel room in London after visiting the capital over the bank holiday weekend. Police say her death is being treated as unexpected but “is not believed to be suspicious at this time.” Read the full story by Fahad Tariq at Glasgow Live.
Health
A five-year-old boy needs to find a matching stem cell donor to treat a rare blood disorder which puts him at risk from life-threatening bacterial infections and gives him an increased risk of cancer. Mason has Bajan/St Lucian and British heritage which makes it even harder to find a match. Read the full story by Tony Grew at BBC.
You can register to become a donor here.
British actor Colin McFarlane who starred in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight will be walking in Prostate Cancer UK’s March for Men alongside a man whose life he saved after sharing his diagnosis on television. Femi Elufowoju Jr’s visited his GP after hearing Colin’s story. He was initially refused a test but was later diagnosed with the disease. Read the full story by Yann Tear at South London Press.
Baby loss organisation Ebony Bonds Bereavement Support is calling for bereaved Black families to receive better care as it says that parents are “tired of being dismissed” when they are at their “most vulnerable.” Read the full story by Sinai Fleary at The Voice Online.
Source Exclusive
A Black man who adopted white nationalist views says that after discovering feminist literature and community, he learned to ‘love his Blackness.’ Kelvin Frimpong, 22, warned that African and Caribbean people risk being lured towards the alt-right through religion. Read the full story by me Exclusive to The Source.
Alleged Male Violence Against Women and Girls
The roommate of a British student nurse who was found stabbed to death in Texas has been charged with her murder. Elizabeth Odunsi, 23, known as Tami was days away from graduating. A GoFundMe launched to help with her funeral has now raised over £75,000. Read the full story by Harry Low at BBC.
Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan’s ex-partner Taiwo Leo is alleged to have assaulted her, controlled her money, eating habits as well as when she could shower or go to the gym over the course of a 10-year period, a court has heard. Read the full story by Tristan Kirk at The Standard.
Crime
Nine people have been arrested following an investigation into a group who allegedly celebrated Hitler’s birthday with Nazi memorabilia at a pub. Greater Manchester Police said it had conducted raids across Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford, Stockport and Southport seizing swords, a crossbow, imitation firearms and Nazi memorabilia. Read the full story by ITVX.
Politics
The Reform Mayor for Lincolnshire, Andrea Jenkyns has vowed to fire diversity officers despite the county council not employing any. Read the full story by David Maddox at The Independent.
Legal
A story that slipped through the cracks.
A white teenager who made a black boy kiss his filthy shoe before then chasing him and repeatedly punching him in a humiliating racist attack video shared on social media has been handed a youth referral order requiring him to sign a contract committing to work positively with the Youth Justice Service for 12 months and to pay court costs and £100 compensation to his victim. Read the full story by BBC.
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