Black Lives Matter.

I am organising a small demonstration to support Black Lives Matter in New Romney Kent on Saturday morning meeting at 10 am outside the Methodist Church.

I hope to have a small display about Black Lives in Kent.

I understand that there are people and events in history that have caused misery and distress in the past. The slavery of so many people taken from their homes and countries overseas in terrible conditions is one of the things that shames humanity.

However, we must learn from the past and remember that it happened. As the years pass, it is sometimes difficult to accept that such things even happened. By leaving the reminders of history we help ourselves to understand and hopefully to make sure that these things never happen again. We can be thankful that we have moved on as a civilisation and show that we give equal opportunities to all people.

Lives have improved but it is important to make sure that we continue to fight against injustice and inequality wherever it exists. People should be confident that whatever their colour, creed or gender, they can live with dignity and equal rights. The past must be preserved but we can explain events and the people involved. We can also make sure that education gives the story of a world where people have had to fight for their rights.

The pandemic has made us aware once again that many people live in poverty and cannot manage if their work is reduced. The opportunity to work for a living is something we have taken for granted to a large extent in the UK because unemployment is low. However, many people are on zero hours contracts and others work in casual jobs or part time. Once again we are thinking about inequality in society. While some people have enjoyed time with their families at home, others have struggled with money and will continue to do so. Much of this is linked with race. In US the problems have also been severe and this has added to the crisis.

Certainly all lives matter but we must make sure that everyone has equal opportunities within society. Racism should not exist and yet we cannot say that it does not.

Four officers have been charged with the death of George Floyd in America. Defunding the police would not help this cause. Police must be held accountable for their actions when dealing with the public in any country and training is vital to ensure that this is guaranteed.

Gaynor Cobb