Author Archives: desireesweston

Is selective outrage, really outrage?

By now everyone has seen THAT slap. If you don’t know what I mean, then where have you been? And can I come with you next time? To recap, at this year’s 94th Academy Awards (also known as the Oscars), actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock after he made a joke about his wife,Continue reading “Is selective outrage, really outrage?”

Is making peace with the police ever an option?

It’s no secret that the Black community and the police have a difficult relationship. Figures for 2019/20 reported that Black people in England and Wales are nine times more likely to be stopped and searched in comparison to White people. Stops under section 60, where no reasonable suspicion is required rose by 35% to overContinue reading “Is making peace with the police ever an option?”

Critical thinking…not for those who have a brain

Everyone knows someone who knows someone else whose family member saw a post on Facebook and now they believe that children are being sacrificed every Thursday evening to honour Bill Gates. Of course I am being ironic, (or am I…). Conspiracy theories have weaved their way in and out of society for as long asContinue reading “Critical thinking…not for those who have a brain”

To remove a statue or not to remove a statue, why is this a question?

By now, everyone knows that Edward Colston was a slave owner, and that’s a good thing. For someone who profited from transporting 80,000 African men and men, of which 12,000 were children, the main thing he should be known for is the human suffering he caused. However, for centuries, the city of Bristol, which ColstonContinue reading “To remove a statue or not to remove a statue, why is this a question?”

Why 24 hours in a day is not always enough

Let me start my first blog of 2022, by wishing you all a Happy New Year – may all that you work so hard for come true. Now, let me also say that I’m not into influencers. There are some who are obviously experts in their fields (check out @sashinspires on Instagram to learn everythingContinue reading “Why 24 hours in a day is not always enough”

‘White privilege’ is not the reason why you’re poor

Listen up, I’ve got something to tell you. Come closer, as I’ll say this only once. White privilege is not the reason why White people are poor. Got that at the back? Since last year’s Black Lives Matter protests, it seems some aspects of society are doing their very best to gaslight the Black communityContinue reading “‘White privilege’ is not the reason why you’re poor”

Is it truly okay to say that you’re not okay?

I really ought to know better. In 2021, I sometimes trick myself into believing that certain topics of conversations have come a long way. Whether it’s discussing unconscious biases or White privilege, I imagine that some people get it while others are slowly understanding these viewpoints.  Over the past five years, I have definitely feltContinue reading “Is it truly okay to say that you’re not okay?”

To be woke or not to be woke…that is the question

It’s official, being ‘woke’ is dead. I had a good indication that the phrase, which is defined as having an alertness to social and racial injustices, was losing its ‘cool’ and effectiveness a few years ago when a (White) senior colleague was asking people in the office if they were “woke”? Be mindful that thisContinue reading “To be woke or not to be woke…that is the question”

Guilty, now what?

Tuesday 20 April 2021 will go down in history as a US police officer was convicted of murder for killing a Black man. The individual found guilty is Derek Chauvin and his victim was George Floyd. I have struggled to find the right words to write this blog and openly express my thoughts on theContinue reading “Guilty, now what?”