Editors Letter – June 2024

Much like the weather, May has been a month of ups and downs.

Globally, the world is going through it and while the unthinkable atrocities in Gaza and the Ukraine get the most headlines, for us in the Diaspora there are just as serious situations going on in the Sudan, Haiti and the Congo. Closer to home, there was so much for Black Wall St Media to cover this month.

A word we’ve been hearing far too much of lately is the C-word. Cancer. I’m sick of hearing it and I’m sure you are too. That’s why I was inspired to read about Dr Martin Luther King Jnr’s son, Dexter and how his legacy ‘goes beyond the dream’ in an article that reflected on his courage in the face of prostate cancer.

Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of civil rights icons Coretta Scott King and Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., left an indelible mark on history with his unwavering commitment to justice and equality.

His recent passing at the age of 62, following a courageous battle with prostate cancer, serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency for awareness, early detection, and improved healthcare access, particularly for Black men.

It wasn’t long ago that hundreds gathered outside Hackney Town Hall in East London, shouting “we stand with Diane”.

They had gathered that day, barely 24 hours after reports that Ms Abbott, Britain’s first Black female MP, was going to be banned from standing for Labour after representing the party for 37 years – derailing Sir Keir Starmers first week of his election campaign and deepening a rift in the party.

That feeling of solidarity in Hackney has been echoed elsewhere, with dozens of prominent Black Britons signing an open letter warning that the Labour party’s treatment of the former shadow home secretary risked alienating Black voters.

The letter criticised the ”unfairness” of the “vindictive” treatment, adding: “It is all the more upsetting given that Black communities have been among Labour’s most loyal supporters.

The treatment of Diane Abbott is a travesty and as black women, I feel this is an issue that we really feel with her. I stand with Diane, and with every black woman who is experiencing similar macro aggressions.

Empowering Black Scientists: The Andrade Effect

This is a time when black women need to be celebrated more than ever. A very important piece covered by Black Wall St Media was about Maydianne Andrade.

Maydianne has not only etched her name through groundbreaking discoveries but is now passionately wielding her influence to empower the next generation of Black scientists.

Her journey weaves through the realms of evolutionary ecology, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), leaving an indelible mark on both scientific knowledge and the quest for a more inclusive academic landscape.

These are the articles we need at times like these to remind us of those who are still fighting the good fight and achieving huge success. As most of my readers know by now I am a domestic abuse survivor and I have given years to pursuing justice and healing for fellow survivors.

Watching Sean Coombs attack on former girlfriend Cassie as she tried to leave while he was sleeping, took me right back to my own experiences of trying to leave an abusive relationship. I’m sure it triggered every victim and survivor out there.

The past decade has been marked by our so called ‘icons’ being exposed as the worst of abusers and it’s a reminder to me of why it’s so important to choose role models who are of real substance not ‘celebrity’ which is more and more meaningless.

As I write this, Donald Trump has just been found guilty on 34 counts falsifying business records and will be sentenced in the coming weeks (people forget, he was a mega celebrity in his day) so I feel grateful that we live in a time when justice is at least being served.

On top of the atrocities and sheer devastation caused by the global wars, we are also dealing with ongoing economic doubt, rising energy prices, polarisation and much, much more.

Usually, I’d end this letter with a sunny comment about gearing up for the summer but as a psychologist, I am really seeing a fallout in mental health with so many serious issues at play.

Some of the headlines I have seen over the past few weeks are truly horrific.

57% of people who aren’t directly affected by current world conflicts have experienced emotions that hinder their ability to cope with day-to-day activities. T

here are just so many triggers right now. Self-care may be a bit of an overused buzzword at the moment, but it’s something I have been a proponent of for years and there’s a good reason why.

Looking after yourself by meditating, eating well, exercising and all-round self-love can really do wonders to protect your mental health. It’s okay to step away from the news and social media and invest in your well-being, go to a spa and do what makes you feel good.

It’s okay to make a donation to a charity or write a letter to your MP and accept that you have done your bit.

As the saying goes, ‘put your own oxygen mask on first’ and that’s what I want to emphasise here. So, before I sign off, I’m sending you all a gentle reminder to please look after yourselves.