This week, we have been reflecting on representation in the media. What does it mean to be represented accurately? How can our stories be heard and articulated in the most truthful and constructive light? How do we change narratives that urgently need our communities’ input without being harmed or misrepresented? Oftentimes at 4Front, we are called to represent our experiences, struggles and stories in media spaces. With young people’s voices so absent from the public discussion about the issues we work on, we are keen to contribute. Yet too often, we see our experiences misrepresented or disrespected in these spaces. Our team has been thinking about how to navigate these questions, and how to step forward with greater power and intention with regards to telling our own stories.
Strength and power,
The 4Front Project Team
Highlights
4FRONT presents:
Youth Activists for Justice, Peace and Freedom
Today, 4Front will lead a workshop discussion at the Act for Change Festival. Our workshop, ‘Youth Activists for Justice, Peace and Freedom’ will discuss the impacts of violence, policing and the criminal justice system on young people whilst sharing our visions for community healing, and this can look like. The event will take place tonight between 5pm - 6pm. You can book tickets here. The festival, which runs from 26th - 31st July, comes out of the combined drive and passion of 32 organisations across the UK, supported by Act for Change Fund, that believe young people are the future and have the power to lead change.
4FRONT featured in Generation Change by Al Jazeera
This week, 4Front was featured in a new series by Al Jazeera called Generation Change. The UK episode explores structures of power and systems of exclusion. London-based journalist Iman Amrani meets 4Front Director, Temi Mwale and youth activist Athian Akec, who discuss the social and political issues that are marginalising many young people, specifically young Black people, and that can contribute towards youth violence. Clips of the episode can be seen on our Instagram here. Please note that the original piece that was broadcast contained distressing imagery which we did not want to spread or be associated with. A full statement from us about the piece can be found here.
Newsbite
Not a penny paid out to victims of miscarriage of justice in last 12 months
By Elliot Tyler and Jon Robins:
Not a penny has been paid out in the last 12 months in compensation for the wrongly convicted under a scheme that has been accused of ‘compounding the trauma’ of victims of miscarriages of justice. In a response to a freedom of information request made by the Justice Gap, the Ministry of Justice has revealed that no compensation had been awarded in the last 12 months. This is the third year since the Coalition government restricted payouts with the introduction of its Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 that no money has been paid out under what is known as section 133. Read more... [via The Justice Gap]
Spotlight
Uprising
We’re spotlighting Uprising - an in-depth BBC documentary that meets the survivors of the 1981 New Crossfire and looks at the aftermath of the events that transpired as the Black community organised for justice. The fire left 13 Black teens dead and the ensuing protests resulted in civil unrest and accusations of state institutions’ indifference to the young people’s deaths. The events defined race relations for a generation. Directed by Steven McQueen, this documentary series uncovers a much needed historical lens on these rarely discussed events, giving us greater context with which to understand our present. Find out more about Uprising here.
Project NIA
We're spotlighting Project Nia - an organisation that works to end the incarceration of children and young adults by promoting restorative and transformative justice practices. Recently, they a virtual Abolitionist Youth Organising Institute. Their first session focused on 'dreaming abolition' with over 50 young people aged 16 - 24 participating. Participants went on to learn the importance of an anti-oppression framework as part of their organising practice, as well as the basic tenets of Prison Industrial Complex abolition, histories of queer and trans resistance to criminalisation, organising skills and abolitionist direct action. You can learn more through resources from the institute here.