We return to the subject of missing young people for the third time in as many months, amid heightened concern about the issue. (1) Black social media has been saturated with accounts of Eastern European drug gangs kidnapping Afrikan children for drugs, sex trafficking and organ parts amid complaints of whiteouts by mainstream media and politicians. (2) The police have not surprisingly (given their responses in the Henry, Smallman, Okorogheye, et al cases) also come in for criticism for their “not sufficient”, “very dissatisfying” response to the attempted abduction of TV star Sherise Blackman’, 11-year-old son. (3) Even before the recent intensive focus on this issue National Crime Agency figures indicated that Afrikan people are four times more likely to be reported as missing in England and Wales than whites and their cases garner scant coverage. (4)
In terms of response, community service announcements have been circulated and broadcast on certain stations as well as calls for school patrols to safeguard our children. A common refrain is demand for the community to “come together” over this issue. (5) A petition has also been launched calling for “a public inquiry to investigate why missing person cases are disproportionately impacting Black communities, who is responsible for the resource allocation on cases, and what can be done to reduce rates within Black/African/Caribbean/Black British communities.” (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/583220?fbclid=IwAR2Lx1KAb9_HrKPWiPkYN5pM-DZjEhc-QAhS1JPzLgqa0HCD7G_lxRe_u7w)
When we dealt with this issue in April we highlighted the USA-based Black and Missing Foundation, established “to bring awareness to missing persons of color; provide vital resources and tools to missing person’s families and friends and to educate the minority community on personal safety.” We asked if such a resource was needed in the UK. (6) In addition to setting up the aforementioned petition, tech consultant, entrepreneur Bro. Dominic Norton has established www.missingblackpeople.com to help find missing black people who are disappearing in disproportionate numbers across England and Wales. Explaining why he developed this resources, Bro. Dominic said:
“This is why, for me, this platform was about a community effort. That’s the only way to even the playing field. We’re stronger as a community when we help each other. It sounds really idealistic and we hear it all the time but it’s true.” (7)
(1) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (a) (15/03/21) County Lines: How widespread is it? https://www.alkebulan.org/2021/03/15/aswag-323-county-lines/; Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan On Galaxy Radio (b) (12/04/21) Black & Missing: What Should WE Do? https://www.alkebulan.org/2021/04/12/aswag-327-black-missing/
(2) Carnival Slayers (22/05/21) WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE NEWS – Missing Black Children In London. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNwVaca442Y
(3) Laura Sharman (05/05/21) Met admits insufficient response to attempted kidnap of Line of Duty actor’s son. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/police-insufficient-response-kidnap-sherise-blackman-line-of-duty-son-b933321.html; Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan On Galaxy Radio (b). Op. cit.
(4) Nadine White (08/04/21) black people are going missing in vast numbers – but campaigners say their cases are being ignored. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/black-people-missing-b1827530.html
(5) Blathnaid Corless (20/05/21) ‘Vigilante’ group patrolling Enfield after ‘attempted child abduction.’ https://www.mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/vigilante-group-patrolling-enfield-after-20637405; Carnival Slayers. Op. cit.
(6) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan On Galaxy Radio (b). Op. cit.
(7) Nadine White (23/05/21) Tech entrepreneur launches website to find missing black people. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/missing-black-people-website-b1851679.html?fbclid=IwAR1AHFPPoIPDc0UQ73xtEGcl2Tc7FDrYpz3OOaxWrVwg0QUTVRnQjRGVxJA
We ask the question:
Black & Missing: What Should WE Do? Pt. 2
1) Have you signed the petition calling for a public enquiry?
2) Why are Afrikan children being targeted?
3) Are there more children going missing or more reporting of cases?
4) Can this issue bring the community together?
5) What institutions are needed to keep our children safe?
Our Special Guests:
Bro. Dominic Norton: is a tech consultant, entrepreneur and graduate of the Tuskeegee Institute in Alabama (USA) and University of London as well as being a former international basketball player. He recently set up missingblackpeople.com to help find missing black people who are disappearing in disproportionate numbers across England and Wales.
Sis. Blaze: has spent over 30 years of her professional career, working with children and families to ensure that they are fully functioning caring and providing the emotional and social support that they need. She is a qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA). Sis. Patricia is a freelance Parenting Practitioner offering Parenting Seminars workshops and courses, including running programmes in prison. She also offers talking sessions to young people at risk of Social Exclusions, Exclusion from school, self-harming depression, school refusers amongst other challenges. Sis. Patricia is the presenter for ‘The Let’s Talk Show’ on Chalkhill Community Radio Station.