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England cricketers will be undergoing racism education from this year onwards in wake of a series of recent revelations pertaining to racism in English Cricket. The decision to implement the anti-racism course also comes in the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement that sent shockwaves across the world last year. Quite recently, a survey was conducted which revealed that more than one-third of black, Asian and minority ethnic players have been subjected to racism at some point during their playing careers.

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England-based Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) conducted a survey where respondents claimed that they have endured racism in the sport. While 45 per cent from more than 600 respondents stated that they have faced racism from another player, around 10 per cent admitted to suffering the same from their coaches. Moreover, 30 per cent of the respondents claimed that they have experienced racism either online or from spectators.

Considering the results of the survey, the PCA decided to develop an education programme where all male and female players from Englands domestic as well as international squads will be made aware about cultural differences and unconscious bias. The PCA has already partnered up with EW Group to develop the programme, which is slated to begin from March onwards.

PCA CEO Rob Lynch said that they are delighted to deliver their player education programme as they look to take a zero-tolerance approach to racial discrimination in cricket. Lynch added that any kind of racism in the game is unacceptable and the game needs to take action against it. The PCA official revealed that they will be working alongside the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and other stakeholders to deliver further in this area.

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In September 2020, cricketer Azeem Rafiq claimed that he experienced racism while playing for Yorkshire. While speaking with ESPNCricinfo, the 29-year-old said that he was close to committing suicide during his time at the club despite living his familys dream of being a professional cricketer. Rafiq also revealed that his complaints of inappropriate dressing room behaviour were initially ignored by the club.

Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj also made allegations of experiencing racist taunts from the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) earlier in January. The cricketer notified his captain Ajinkya Rahane, who in turn alerted the match officials, thus bringing the Test match to a halt for a few minutes. Several members of the SCG crowd were then evicted from the stadium and Cricket Australia launched an investigation regarding the Mohammed Siraj racial abuse incident.

Former West Indies cricketer and commentator Michael Holding gave a hard-hitting take on racial profiling in the sport. During West Indies tour of England in July 2020, Holding led an emotional discussion alongside fellow commentator Nasser Hussain and talked about the importance of educating society on racism. Here is a look at Holdings moving take on the controversial subject.

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Black Lives Matter impact: England cricket to introduce Racism Education for all players - Republic World

She is even thinking of majoring in political sciences or sociology, because they cover a lot of activism and political issues, something she never would have considered just a year ago when taking her A levels. No chance, she laughs.

Growing up, she had not always seen the world that way. Bourne attended private school where she was introduced to and excelled at hockey, joining local club Surbiton and making her way on to national team youth pathways. As a black woman she did not see many others who looked like her. The private school thing plays a big part in the lack of representation of black athletes in hockey in England. If you dont have access to the sport, youre not going to play. I also think the lack of representation of black role models higher up does affect the number of young aspiring athletes that are going to join.

England Hockey is able to name just four Black or Asian women to have represented Great Britain at senior level. Bourne says it is not something she actively gave much thought to until last year: When I was younger, because I grew up in a predominantly white area as well, I was often the only black girl in a situation. So it was something I kind of just learnt to get through and ignore that part of me. It wasnt a conversation that I had when I was younger or really noticed playing hockey, other than the fact that, you know, everyone was whiter than me.

But George Floyds death at the hands of police sparked the global Black Lives Matter and Bourne was inspired into action. Many sports, including her own, reflected on their role in the lack of representation. In August, an open letter sent to England Hockey, signed by nine clubs, accused the governing body of having an endemic race issue and of not doing enough to attract players from more deprived areas. Since then, national team players initiated a campaign called Stick it to Racism and the governing body launched an external diversity panel. In November, their efforts suffered embarrassment though, when a member of the diversity group was suspended for derogatory behaviour.

Bourne says forcing the sport to reflect means things are moving in the right direction I think theres a lot more to be done, but you can see that theyre trying to take the right steps, Bourne says. And especially a lot of the players have been increasingly active, which is great to see because they are role models. They dont have to be black [to be] role models, if theyre actively supporting the black community that in itself is fantastic.

Hockeys lack of diversity is not only a British problem, as Bourne found when she met her Duke squad. Having followed the international game, she was not surprised to be the only black member of the team. But the initial feeling was one of discomfort. I was the standout I was different because I was English, I joined late because of the coronavirus and then I looked different to everyone. As soon as I made relationships and got playing, I forgot about it. But that feeling of being out of place and a little bit anxious that a lot of people experience, maybe even more greatly than I do, it was very real.

Alongside her ambition to one day represent England and Great Britain at senior level on the pitch, she is focused on making hockey and society more inclusive and equal.There are groups and individuals who are continuously trying to stay active, like my coach at Duke is really, really forward- thinking, holding meetings on a regular basis about how we can be actively anti-racist, because she understands that I am the only person of colour on the team.

Thats really supportive. But as a whole as a country, both America and England, the conversation has died down. I would love to see everyone continue talking about it. And it just goes back to my original question: why is there any resistance to the debate?

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Darcy Bourne on the Black Lives Matter protest photo that has given her 'chance to change the world' - The Telegraph

2020 was a challenging year for many city leaders including Lansing Mayor Andy Schor.

The coronavirus pandemic, a storming of the state Capitol and a summer of protests against racial inequity and police brutality.

In the first month of the new year, WKARs Sophia Saliby spoke with Schor to reflect and look forward.

WKAR's Sophia Saliby interviews Lansing Mayor Andy Schor about the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 protests against police brutality and systemic injustice.

Interview Highlights

On What The City Is Doing To Promote Racial Equity And Justice

We're doing our economic development with equity. We're working in neighborhoods of focus, so to make sure that, again, formerly redlined areas are going to receive the assistance they need. So, we're doing a lot of work on racial justice [and] on equity. Again, working with folks in the NAACP, working with folks in the clergy, working with a variety of different groups and taking input. And we've just had an incredible group of folks who've been helping out resources, and we'll have an action plan, I believe, in a few months, but we're taking steps even before that, and then we'll take further steps.

On If Theres Anything He Did During Last Summers Protests He Wished He Did Differently

I got caught off guard in a call. And I was expecting to be listening to the community, and it turned out there were questions asked to me that I wasn't prepared for. So, at the time, I admitted that I was unprepared for those questions. But, again, I'm going to listen and I'm going to take action as I can as mayor.

On Some COVID-Safe Activities The City Might Host In The Near Future

Moving forward, we'll be doing, again, more unique activities. We're looking at, you know, a winter poster contest and snowman builds and sledding and using our River Trail more [and] potentially ice skating, so COVID-friendly activities that allow people to get out of the house but stay safe.

Interview Transcript

Sophia Saliby: This is All Things Considered on WKAR. Im Sophia Saliby.

2020 was a challenging year for many city leaders including Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. The coronavirus pandemic, a storming of the state Capitol and a summer of protests against racial inequity and police brutality.

In the first month of the new year, he joins me now to reflect and look forward. Mayor Schor, thank you for being here.

Mayor Andy Schor:Thanks for having me, Sophia.

Saliby: We are almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Is there anything you would have done differently to keep Lansing residents safe? And do you expect to do anything new to help get people vaccinated?

Schor: You know, things were progressing almost, you know, day by day. You know, there were times when we were told not to recommend masks and then we went right into recommending masks. You know, we shut down everything pretty quickly in mid-March, as soon as we heard that there were cases in Michigan, and we were concerned about having all of our employees in one place. You know, I'm very much trying to remove silos and get departments to work together, but, you know, when you have coronavirus, now, one person could infect all of our departments. So, we shut things down at City Hall [and] pushed people remotely.

I'm sure there are things that I would have done differently, in retrospect, but I am pretty confident that we did the right things in terms of moving people remotely and then getting people back to work at the right time to make sure that services are provided.

So, you know, I'm sure there are things that I would have done differently, in retrospect, but I am pretty confident that we did the right things in terms of moving people remotely and then getting people back to work at the right time to make sure that services are provided [like] ensuring that our police officers were safe, and our EMS were safe. You know, we took our inspectors out of the field for a while because we didn't want them to get COVID and then we put them back when it was safe.

We have increased a number of activities that will help out people. We closed our community centers, so we couldn't have classes and things through our Parks and Rec, but we added a drive-thru Halloween. We had a drive-thru senior fair, and you know, we're working on a whole variety of COVID-safe activities. So, it was certainly a learn as you go, but we did quite a bit.

We kept our homeless community safe by opening one of our community centers for the unsheltered and then we put more money into the unsheltered community.

Moving forward, we'll be doing, again, more unique activities. We're looking at, you know, a winter poster contest and snowman builds and sledding and using our River Trail more [and] potentially ice skating, so COVID-friendly activities that allow people to get out of the house but stay safe.

Saliby: Last summer, Lansing saw protests against police brutality as part of a national movement following the police killing of George Floyd. You faced calls to resign by some Black Lives Matter activists. What concretely have you done to repair trust with the city's people of color, especially Black Lansing residents?

Schor: I've had conversations with many Black residents, with many Latino residents [and] with many residents of the different minority communities in Lansing. We took some steps initially with policing. Chief Daryl Green, in essence, eliminated what are called, pretextual traffic stops, so traffic stops for broken taillights and things like that, where traditionally, it's a higher number of Black residents that are pulled over for things like that. So, we made some changes. Our police took an oath that if they were to see anyone else commit police brutality, they would take action against even their fellow officer. So, he's made several policy changes through the police department.

But even more importantly, we initiated a Racial Justice and Equity Action Plan which culminated in our Racial Justice and Equity Alliance, which has a significant number of leaders in the Black community and then in other communities that are putting together a plan for us moving forward. We're doing an internal scan of city government, and we're doing an external scan of the city. We are having Michigan Public Health Institute assist, and Teresa Bingman is quarterbacking this for us. [She's a] consultant who's done this in other areas. So, we've taken several steps. They continue to meet.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: New Group Will Address Systemic Injustice And Police Reform In Lansing

We've got workgroups on everything from economic development, to arts, to other things that [they] are exploring, and they're going to put together recommendations. Additionally, our small business activities, we have inserted issues of equity, making sure that those who have not been able to get resources in the past are better able to get those resources by assisting.

We've just had an incredible group of folks who've been helping out resources, and we'll have an action plan, I believe, in a few months.

So, we're doing our economic development with equity. We're working in neighborhoods of focus, so to make sure that, again, formerly redlined areas are going to receive the assistance they need. So, we're doing a lot of work on racial justice [and] on equity. Again, working with folks in the NAACP, working with folks in the clergy, working with a variety of different groups and taking input. And we've just had an incredible group of folks who've been helping out resources, and we'll have an action plan, I believe, in a few months, but we're taking steps even before that, and then we'll take further steps.

Oh, we also created the city's first Diversity Officer. Guadalupe Ayala is our first Diversity Officer. She's doing a lot of hard work. We've got trainings. We've done implicit bias training, and I issued an executive order to ensure that everyone is being trained and that we are working with national organizations. So, we're doing a lot of work on that in the area of racial justice and equity. And, you know, I'm proud of the work and that will continue as long as I'm mayor.

Saliby: In hindsight, is there any moment during the summer protests that you wish you would have handled differently?

Schor: You know, just, I got caught off guard in a call. And I was expecting to be listening to the community, and it turned out there were questions asked to me that I wasn't prepared for. So, at the time, I admitted that I was unprepared for those questions. But, again, I'm going to listen and I'm going to take action as I can as mayor.

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Saliby: The city is also facing a wrongful death suit following the death of a man named Anthony Hulon in police custody last April. The Lansing State Journal reported those police officers involved are back on duty after an initial review, but the Attorney General's office is still investigating the case. Should those officers still be on the job?

Schor: You know, that's the Chief's decision on staffing. My understanding is they were put on administrative leave. It was sent to the Attorney General's office for criminal investigation, so, we're still waiting to hear back.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lansing PD Sued For Wrongful Death Of Man In Its Custody

You know, he's got limited staffing, so he will put those officers in a position where they can be used because of limited correction staffing at the jail. So, that is a staffing decision that the Police Chief is allowed to make. And as soon as the jail death was, as soon as we heard about it, it was sent immediately on to the Attorney General's Office for criminal investigation, which is the right thing to do.

If there were criminal activities, then the Attorney General will take action. And then after that, after we hear from the Attorney General, we'll do whatever internal review we need to do.

Saliby: You will deliver your State of the City address in the next month. What do you think your priorities are for Lansing in 2021?

Schor: Well, continuing to navigate the COVID crisis, for certain, making sure that we can get vaccinations out in conjunction with the county health department, with the federal government, making sure that people are staying safe and yet have activities that will certainly be important. Continuing the racial justice and equity work. Growing our city, you know, we have to continue to do what we normally do.

We had to cut $12.5 million last year in just three months. And you know, we could be looking at a budget that is similar to last year

You know, we also have an economic crisis where our budget is a lot less than it has been because we're seeing less in income tax and fees and things like that. So, we have to navigate that as well. We had to cut $12.5 million last year in just three months. And you know, we could be looking at a budget that is similar to last year. So, we're going to keep an eye on what the federal government's doing, but the budget will be an important piece of what's coming in the next year and what we work on the next few months.

Saliby: Lansing will see a mayoral election this year. You have not formally announced a reelection campaign, but do you plan to run again?

Schor: We'll have an announcement on that pretty soon. You know, I'd like to get through the State of the City and govern for as long as I can before we insert politics into anything.

Saliby: Andy Schor is Lansing's mayor. Thank you for joining me.

Schor: Thank you, Sophia.

This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

Excerpt from:
Lansing Mayor Reflects On 2020, COVID-19 Pandemic And Black Lives Matter Protests - WKAR

Calling all visual artists for the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authoritys (EDDDA) Art of Courage: Black Lives Matter 360 Exhibition, to be held February 8, 2021 February 8, 2022, to be held virtually, as well as in the Connector at City Hall Artspace and outside on the adjacent public grounds of City Hall Park in Downtown Dearborn, MI.

Throughout history artists have been compelled to reveal and challenge the social conflicts that existed during their lifetimes which have left indelible impressions of change and progress. Art of Courage: Black Lives Matter 360 Exhibition continues that tradition by inviting artists to lend their visual voices to the issue of police violence and racial injustice and unrest in African American communities across the nation that has been sparked by the Black Lives Matter Movement.

This exhibition is one of a series of events developed by the EDDDA to address the broad impact of systemic racism in cities such as Dearborn where African Americans are not the majority population. It will comprise works from a variety of visual art mediums, in addition to educational programs, a series of artists talks and lectures.

EDDDA Board Chairperson Julia Kapilango remarks, I enjoy seeing artists of all mediums teaming up to produce such innovative and transformational experiences that match what our nation is feeling and thinking. I am grateful for our boards support and leadership.

Non-refundable $15 fee to Rozenia Johnson via CashApp at $Sonofu, or via Square Reader

Brief bio with up to eight (8) samples of work in a PNG format at min. 600 dpi with title, size, medium, date, and description

Short 15 30 sec. video clip noting Artist name, title of works, size, medium, date, and description of works

Works must be ready to install, accompanied with all necessary hanging mechanisms, special instructions, securely packed and delivered on site by Saturday, January 30, 2021. Artists must assist with the installation of their outdoor public artworks. Drilling into the ground will not be permitted.

Send submission and direct questions to Rozenia Johnson, Curator of Art and Exhibitions, MDUBA Associates, at rozeniajmduba@gmail.com 313.405.3044.

The Connector at City Hall Artspace and City Hall Park is located at 13615 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI. Learn more about this project and other programs and activities happening in the Downtown Dearborn by visiting downtowndearborn.org or via social media at Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Art of Courage: Black Lives Matter 360 Exhibition- call for artists - Dearborn Press and Guide

Andria Segedy|Savannah Morning News

Visual arts teacher Daria Collins approached her K-5 students at Garden City Elementary School with age appropriate language to encourage them to create art for a local Black Lives Matter art installation.

I tried to use different lenses for different grade levels, she said. With K-1, I presented the Black Lives Matter topic through the lens of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s 'Dream.'I felt like it was important for that grade level because it is what they are learning in social studies.

In art they are learning to draw through observation, she said. She wanted them to understand that people with different skin colors could be friends. They drew a white hand and a brown hand and between those hands was a heart which they could make any color.

The assignment is part of the Beach Institute African-American Cultural Centers #BLM exhibit in partnership with Savannah Chatham County Public Schools, according to Beach Coordinator Jenny McCord.

Open to students and teachers in the public schools, 12 schools participated, eight teachers submitted their own artwork, five schools submitted artwork from students, and there was a total of more than 35 submissions, said Rosemary Dodson, visual arts teacher specialist for the school district.

Starting Tuesday, visitors can see the installation at the Beach Institute from noon-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Regular admission applies. The installation will eventually be put on the website at beachinstitute.org.

The #BLM installation was chosen, McCord said, because we tried to combine the two, Black History month and black Lives Matter. …. coming off of all of the unrest this summer it felt like for Black History Month, celebrating Black lives at a Black museum would be appropriate.

The assignment, according to McCord:Artwork should reflect the importance of Black and brown lives, influences, and culture in our community throughout history.

As a liaison between teachers and Beach, Dodson said she let the teachers come up with how they wanted to present the topic to students.

We had a lot of teachers participate with their own personal views on Black Lives Matter, especially since it was so virtual it was hard to get work from students because they were all working at home, Dodson said. Some students did create art for the project virtually and either dropped it off at school or transmitted it electronically.

McCord said the artwork that will be on view includes two sculptures. The rest are drawings or paintings, crayon and weaved fabric.

Brock Elementary School sent an ice cube portrait series, McCord said. Its so fabulous. A pencil drawing of ice cubes from 15 different students at Brock Elementary. It brings me joy, the ice cube art. I love little kid artists.

For grades 2-3 at Garden City Elementary, Collins was showing them African-American artists as professionals. We had a lot of gentle conversations, how in the media African Americans are often shown in a negative light, portrayed as angry or violent…

The book I Am Everything helped her change that narrative as it shows Black peoplein a positive light with an emphasis on diversity, multicultural skin tone, multicultural hair styles. Encouraging an interest in drawing diversity.

For students in grades 4-5, Collins highlighted Black artist Kehinde Wiley, who creates 19th century paints of Black people in what traditionally would be whit people in fine period clothing and fancy jewelry. He changed the agenda by showing Black people in a positive light, she said.

More: Savannah history re-visited through the eyes of civil rights icon W.W. Law

Noting that she has many Black and Hispanic students in her class, she said, My students looked at the poses from that time period and drew themselves in that position.

These kids made the effort to get their pieces to the schools. It is a lot of extra work right now … it shows they were dedicated to have their pieces in the exhibition, Dodson said.

Collins also created her own art submission called Human. It shows a young black girl in conversation with a hummingbird, and the hummingbird in conversation with the girl. I really wanted to normalize African-Americans, and once again try to change the narrative. I wanted to show African Americans are just as curious, as worthy, as beautiful as any other.. …I wanted my artwork to symbolize equality and justice for all.

The hummingbird, which is know for flying in the path of an infinity sign, reminds her of hummingbirds she saw as a child visiting Jamaica. I used that flight pattern to send the message African Americans are worthy and to be infinitely heard and received. … That is a message African Americans need to hear today. Its important to have that conversation in a different way.

Sharonna Ray, K-5 elementary art educator at School of Humanities at Juliette Low, was working on a group project for students but their working virtually from home kept them from adding to what became Cotton Candy, A Very Sweet Dessert.

I had already planned out the execution for my piece, she said. II had already started the initial layers. So it was due to a lack of time. I was going to have them be a part of it, adding the layers to it. When we became virtual, I had a deadline. I didnt want to throw something together and deviate from my original plan.

She said she had a discussion with the students in regard to Black Lives Matter and just going back to how to bring about change, she said. It doesnt take violence and anger for your voice to be heard.

Andria Segedy is the news submissions coordinator for Savannah Morning News. Contact her at asegedy@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @andria_segedy

If you go

What: #BLM

Where: Beach Institute African-American Cultural Center, 502 E Harris St.

When: Starts Feb. 2, noon-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays

Cost: $10 adult, $7 students, seniors, military

Tickets: beachinstitute.org

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Beach Institute teacher-student art reflects importance of Black and brown lives - Savannah Morning News