What Does it Mean to be Black British?
Being labelled as black British alchemizes my cultural lineage and historical identity into a western statistic. Being black British to me is a privilege, I call it being a victim of positive circumstance; I have the right to dictate my own future and learn about the depth of humanity but alongside the western political territory my black humanity is reduced to the label “minority”.
Not only am I in the category of minority this label of such is manifested in my everyday life. Being treated different simply because of the pigmentation of my skin, being called the derogatory term “nigger”, constantly having my hair touched and being sexualised to such, this leads to me to conclude that colonialism has not ended its translated itself into western mindsets and systems.
Photo Credit: Confused Culture
Additionally, The black lives matter movement shifted the reality of many individuals, living in south London the response to the Black Lives matter movement was honestly surprising many of my neighbours and school friends fell under the reality of ignorance.
Being a black British is seeing that your culture is used as decoration and not adopted in the British philosophy, being black British is realising that in an all girl Catholic school your hair that holds cultural significance is seen as a beauty insecurity and being black British is being an adjunct to British sanctimony.
I am the diaspora and of my 11 years of living in Britain I have seen the African diaspora be a force that wants to aid and nurture black identities, a rise in Africana artists, photographers and fashion designers so be it!
Photo Credit: James Eades
It is a privilege seeing the rise of black humanity who do not hold the label minority to their necks but use it as a spur for black power and rising. Being black in Britain I find it amazing that I can explore my creative ego, it is amazing that I can photograph a diversity of characters and people.
I want my photography to invade people's political comfort zones and portray the realities of many ethinc identities. Being black British is accepting that whether you like it or not your identity is a political statement , I personally was accused of being in a gang and this heavily stems from racial biases; therefore with my photography I want to use it as a tool to share the stories and experiences of black and ethnic identities. Being Black in Britain is knowing that you still have the opportunity to share your work regardless of it being art or not our voices are united.
