Blacked Movement

BlackED was birthed by 7 Black Female Students at the University of Edinburgh following a successful petition to update the University’s anti-discrimination policy. The Movement began following a monumental loss within the black community on the 25th May 2020. This was George Floyd’s tragic murder. This was a very impactful and painful moment, not just within the black community, but also the general public. It was a moment that sparked more conversations on race with many people and various institutions opening up dialogue on racism and discrimination. As it seemed, the University of Edinburgh did not immediately join in this dialogue and this drove the Founders to focus their discussions more generally on how the University deals with racism on campus. In discussing the University's current policies and response to racism and discrimination, the Founders discovered that there were areas the University could improve on to better support BAME students. As a result, they came together and decided to draft an open letter to the University, specifically Vice-Chancellor Mathieson, highlighting these key areas for improvement and potential solutions. The petition garnered over signatures in support from both students and staff. It was also publicly endorsed by Edinburgh University Student’s Association, the Sports Union, the BAME Staff Network and other Societies and Senior Managerial Staff. The Founders, thereafter, formed what is now known as the BlackED Movement to ensure implementation of those aims and continue to work alongside the University and staff networks to improve the climate at the University, and the push towards equality for BAME students.