We’re seeing history in the making – UON student Amelia on BLM movement

A student who specialises in studying the past believes we are seeing history in the making with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Amelia DeCairos-Parr, who studies History and Media Production at the University of Northampton, has lived with racism ever since her school days.

With a Grenadian grandmother who was part of the Windrush generation, and a British-Guyanan grandfather, Amelia’s heritage meant she was singled out for abuse while growing up in her hometown of Hemel Hempstead.

She’s been moved by the Black Lives Matter movement, which has prompted her to write a powerful blog about her experiences.

In the blog, Amelia said the effect the killing of George Floyd in America has had, has given her renewed hope that a change is coming.

She said: “It fills me with hope, that for some reason, THIS murder of a Black man in the USA has caused this global uproar, it feels like something is different this time, that people really are taking notice. Perhaps it’s COVID, perhaps the world is so still and silent for once that we’ve been able to open our ears and hear each other. I feel the world has had the rug ripped from underneath it, change is coming, a change that will make this world a better place for us all.”

Amelia has also talked about the topic in the latest episode of the Beyond Histories podcast, which is produced by the University’s History team.