Evie's Journal

The murder of George Floyd has sent shockwaves across the US and the globe. The thought that a police officer- in a position of such trust and authority- could abuse their position and harm a civilian is deeply alarming. However, while the UK are outraged and abhorred by the countless victims of police brutality in America, we cannot ignore the problems in our own country. As residents in a secluded rural town, we are often unaware of the racism that occurs daily. I know that I, myself, am in a position of privilege. I never have to worry about the colour of my skin and how that will disproportionately affect me amongst others, yet this is sadly the reality for many. No empathy I feel can ever amount to the fear and upset black people must feel right now. When many people ask “why are they protesting here when George Floyd was killed in America?” We need to recognise our failures regarding systematic racism in Britain. The UK historically is at the epicentre of racial exploitation an

The empty shelves almost resemble A hollowed carcass They swarm like antibodies around a wound The time spent searching Searching for something to quench their thirst Something their dirty talons can grab Greed within fear Fear within greed Suddenly they're empty again Time is thick, putrid, stagnant The weight of the present on uncertain shoulders Waiting eagerly to be filled again Is this how it begins? Is this how it ends?

It’s a miserable Monday morning in September. As your PE teacher stands in front of you and your peers wearing a thick, fleece lined jacket, she tells your class to brave up and brace the cold. Shivering in your short sleeve t shirt and Lycra leggings, you anxiously await her instructions. She picks out two students, well known amongst the class to be athletically talented and popular amongst the rest of the year and tells them that they can choose from rest of your class on who gets to be on their team. They pick, one by one. Staring at your feet as your face flushes with embarrassment, your classmate says your name. You lift your head only to see you are the last one standing. As you walk towards your fellow students, you are met with eye rolls and belligerent glares. You are picked last. It’s a common tale every unwilling participant of PE knows well. The memories of sheer humiliation and embarrassment experienced by the anxious teenage mind during PE was soul crushing. Despit