Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of the work we do as a Students' Union year round and we work each October to recognise Black History Month. This is our chance to put a spotlight on all of the incredible Black people throughout history who have left their mark on the world, and to celebrate the unique and enriching Black culture they have cultivated. It goes beyond this as well, by taking this month to self-educate and raise more awareness around Black history and culture, we can then be better allies throughout the rest of the year and actively work on making our world a more just and equal place for all.

Check out this powerful video from Bleed Green TV of some of our Sports Union students talking about what Black Lives Matter means to them. 

 

What can I do to learn/read up now?

We have collated a list of resources and places you can find information on why there is a Black History Month, and why it's so important to educate yourself. 

Black History Month Scotland have a list of available resources specifically about Scottish Black History here.

We also wanted to focus on some resources relating to mental health amongst the BAME community: • Young Minds Black Mental Health Matters • Rethink Mental Illness Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) mental health Facts Sheet • Racial disparities in mental health: Literature and evidence review

Articles

https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/climate-justice-is-racial-justice/
Polluting and extractive facilities have been placed in black, brown, and indigenous communities around the world—and they are suffering the consequences.

https://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/default/files/jrf/migrated/files/climate-change-social-justice-full.pdf
This report assesses current research into the social justice aspects of the impacts of climate change in the UK, and of policy and practice to mitigate and adapt to those impacts.

Social Media
If you're already on Instagram every day, why not add some education to your feed with these accounts.

• blackbritishfigures
• theblackcurriculum
• blmuk
• checkyourprivilege

What can I watch or listen to?

BleedGreenTV Host Harriet spoke to Terry, Bawa and DK about The Black Lives Matter Movement and what the movement means to them. If you have suggestions we can add, we'd love to know, email us - theunion@stir.ac.uk 

 

• Podcasts - There are loads out there, we've linked a few here: Inspirational Black Life Stories on Spotify, Anthems on Spotify, Windrush Stories on Spotify, Witness Black History on BBC

Where else has information?

• www.blackhistorymonthscotland.org
• www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk
• https://theblackcurriculum.com
• www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004t1hd (Witness History)
• The University of Stirling have their own dedicated BHM pages here.
   

Where can I get support?

• University Student Support Services
• Your Students' Union - email us theunion@stir.ac.uk or click here.
• SCORE Scotland https://www.scorescotland.org.uk/about-us/ 
• Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights https://www.crer.scot/ 

• MECOPP organisation for BAME carers https://www.mecopp.org.uk/about-heading 

• https://www.cilips.org.uk/about/anti-racism-resources-and-support/

#BlackLivesMatter

Whilst time has moved on from the #BlackLivesMatter movement of 2020, the issues at the heart of it remain in society and we continue to focus on how this impacts our BAME student community.

 

Petitions to sign:
Sign the Justice for George Floyd petition here.
Sign the petition for #WeCantBreathe here.
Sign the Justice for Belly Mujinga petition here.
Sign the Justice for Breonna Taylor petition here.

How you can help in the UK: 
You can send a letter or email to your local MP. Find your local MP’s information at www.writetothem.com. If you are unsure of what to say, here is an example template you can use - make sure you vary some of the letter and give it a personal touch.

Donate to the George Floyd Memorial fund here.
Donate to the official Black Lives Matter campaign here.
Donate to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.
Donate to The Bail Project here.
Donate to the Belly Mujinga memorial fund here.
Donate to the Ahmaud Arbery memorial fund here.
Donate to The Movement For Black Lives here.
Find out about more ways to help here.

BAME student experience survey

Trigger Warning: Mentions of Racism, Racial discrimination, LGBTQ+ discrimination, Gender-based discrimination.

As Sabbatical Officers we recognise that racism and racial discrimination is a very real problem facing students at the University of Stirling on campus and in the local community. In an effort to better understand the issues affecting students from the BAME community, we ran a survey in the Autumn 2020 semester for the BAME community. This survey in collaboration and consultation with members of the BAME community sought to carefully and sensitively explore, in depth, the different facets of this issue. We're exceptionally grateful for this input and help from those involved. Findings from this will feed into our contstant review and EDI Framework. 

We have regular Equalities Zone meetings. These meetings are open to all  BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethinic), LGBT+, women, and disabled students to attend. These meetings are a forum for the Union to gather feedback and help solve any issues that may be arising. The Equalities Zone is where the four equalities officers are elected (who represent the four equality groups – BAME, LGBT+, women, and disabled students).

You can see who our current equalities officers are here!

Gender Equality Movement 

We are Stirling University’s Gender Equality Movement. Our aim is to promote equality for all of the genders and provide a safe space for learning about this topic (all while smashing the patriarchy).

We welcome everyone to come along to our weekly meetings at 6.30 on Mondays as well as to our social events. Feel free to come along to meet like-minded people and to find out more. Even if you’re not a registered member you’re more than welcome to come along.

LGBT+ society 

Our group stands for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, plus society, but we also more than welcome questioning or LGBT+ friendly students. We regularly hold socials, attend campaigns and run educational events.

Stirling University LGBT+ aim to provide the following for self-defining LGBT+ students and their straight allies:

• Provide support and a safe space

• Promote and represent the views and interests of LGBT+ students

• Hold social and educational events

• Campaign on LGBT+ rights and issues to raise awareness and work with the wider community

• Be fun and inclusive!

These student led societies are free of charge and anyone is welcome to come along.  You can find out more about them here

Feel there’s an equalities society that you would like to start up? You can contact theunion@stir.ac.uk for more information how to!

We think that Inspirational Women at the University of Stirling should be celebrated.

 

We often see women represented in the media from around the world who have inspired us, but what about the women right here at the University of Stirling? Nominations are currently closed, but you can find out more information about the previous awards here - 2023 Awards

 

 

For any further information, please email president.union@stir.ac.uk

 

The Union is proud to work with the University of Stirling to prevent and tackle sexual violence through our joint strategy. We want to ensure that Stirling is a place with a culture of respect, where sexual violence is not tolerated and where it does occur those affected feel they can come forward with the knowledge that they will be believed and taken seriously.

More information on this strategy can be found here.