Northern Ireland have decriminalised abortion through the repeal of section 58 and section 59 of the Offenses Against Person Act of 1861. The legal framework will be put in place by March 31st, 2020. The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act of 2019 has urged the government to implement recommendations of the United Nations Committee…
Black History Month: what it is and why it matters
The month of October marks Black History Month in the UK, an annual observance originating in the United States, during which the Afro-Caribbean communities are celebrated and landmark events of black history are remembered. It is a celebration of the history of the African diaspora, the collective term for the African communities dispersed around the…
What is it like as a graduate woman going into the workforce?
You’ve done it. You’ve swam your way through the Sportspark pool in your cap and gown. You’re officially a ‘proper’ adult, ready to face the world of graduate jobs. Yet of the swimmers who have spent approximately the last three years partying in the LCR and enduring late-night library sessions, a large group will go…
Google forced to adjust policy following walk out
Google employees walked out earlier this month over sexual harassment policies that have preserved a culture of turning a blind eye to both sexual harassment and discrimination. The technology giant has been forced to overhaul its policies following the direct action staged by staff. The walkout was organised by employees in response to claims that…
Trans rights matter
The Gender Recognition Act (GRA) is changing. People will be able to legally change their gender through self-identification. But what will this lead to? Some say predatory men will change gender to women by the stroke of a pen and threaten women’s rights by being able to go into safe spaces like domestic violence shelters….
Black History Month
Wandsworth Council’s renaming of Black History Month, a tradition that’s over 30 years old, to Diversity Month has unsurprisingly prompted no shortage of responses, many of which were less than positive. It’s odd it’s happening now, four years after the change actually took place. However, the move did raise some interesting questions about the event…
A brief history of black progression
From the mid 17th century, black slaves were being sold, auctioned and inventoried by slave masters until 1833, when the British government passed an act in parliament abolishing the slave trade. It had taken the hard work of numerous people, both black and white, working together to abolish slavery. They included the likes of Olaudah…
Reggae, Windrush, and Black History Month
I’m Ryan Jordan – your Ethnic Minorities Officer. The theme for this year’s Black History Month is the 70th anniversary of Windrush: a notable period in history in which the ship MV Empire Windrush carried several hundred individuals from Caribbean countries to the UK. Its first voyage took place in 1948, however it’s not only…
Decolonising the curriculum
Whether in Comment, News or Features, Concrete has repeatedly returned to the discussion of decolonising the curriculum. As Black History Month reignites the conversation once more, despite being in agreement that things should change, it’s questionable whether anything actually has. We can maintain thoughtful, intelligent conversation, but how long will it remain just that: just…
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