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THE TRUTH WITH BUAR

THE TRUTH WITH BUAR

By Basingstoke Unites Against Racism

Basingstoke Unites Against Racism (BUAR) brings into focus the honest conversations we need to have from the bottom up in search for the truth in our history, culture and the systemic racism that has long plagued and disproportionately affected black and ethnic minorities. How do we change the headlines that should make black lives matter. Nothing is off the table when UNSETTLING SILENCE, WE MUST TELL THE TRUTH!
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August 18, 2020

THE TRUTH WITH BUARAug 18, 2020

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Final Episode | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

Final Episode | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

It’s the final part of our journey with The Williams family on Ruby’s story. We have learnt so much on this journey and thankful that they shared it with us. The issues for engagement and discussion that have come out of this story are several from knowing ourselves and being confident to be outspoken, to challenging the status quo, governance in schools and challenges parents face for the upkeep of children’s hair - we may not win it all today, but be still we will not! Join us in coming weeks on how we begin to tackle these issues. Subscribe, share, comment, leave us a review and send in any questions you may have. Resources: If you're wondering about being a governor please go to: Hampshire: https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/governors General: https://www.gov.uk/become-school-college-governor Legal assistance for kids https://www.justforkidslaw.org Catch you on the next episode. Guests: Len and Kate Williams, Parents (Self-employed & Teacher respectively) Emmanuel Korboe, Teacher, Head of Department & Incoming Associate Assistant Head - Secondary School Michael Jordan, Chair of Governors - Primary School
Sep 13, 202036:22
Part 4 | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

Part 4 | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

In Part 4, we continue to listen to this rather shocking story of Ruby Williams as narrated by her parents Len and Kate Williams on how it gets worse. This episode highlights the misuse of tax payers money to fund suing media simply reporting the truth. The victimisation of Ruby will be with her for a long time yet and it shouldn't be allowed to happen elsewhere nor to any child. Let's stand up and let the guidance work fairly. Subscribe, share, comment, leave us a review and send in any questions you may have.  Resources: If you're wondering about being a governor please go to: Hampshire: https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/governors General: https://www.gov.uk/become-school-college-governor Legal assistance for kids https://www.justforkidslaw.org Catch you on the next episode. Guests: Len and Kate Williams, Parents (Self-employed & Teacher respectively) Emmanuel Korboe, Teacher, Head of Department & Incoming Associate Assistant Head - Secondary School Michael Jordan, Chair of Governors - Primary School

Sep 12, 202023:59
Part 3 | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

Part 3 | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

In Part 3, we continue to listen to the rather shocking story of Ruby Williams as narrated by her parents Len and Kate Williams. This episode highlights the plight of parents on the expenses to keep up with hair. Income is a major attribute and so do we feed the family or pay for a perm or weave every week, 2 weeks? And on the other hand the school spends £10,000 of tax payers money attempting to gag media outlets from telling the truth. Subscribe, share, comment, leave us a review and send in any questions you may have.  Resources: If you're wondering about being a governor please go to: Hampshire: https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/governors General: https://www.gov.uk/become-school-college-governor Legal assistance for kids https://www.justforkidslaw.org Catch you on the next episode. Guests: Len and Kate Williams, Parents (Self-employed & Teacher respectively) Emmanuel Korboe, Teacher, Head of Department & Incoming Associate Assistant Head - Secondary School Michael Jordan, Chair of Governors - Primary School
Sep 05, 202023:15
Part 2 | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

Part 2 | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

In Part 2, we continue to listen to the rather shocking story of Ruby Williams as narrated by her parents Len and Kate Williams. The inequalities and prejudices are brought to light and the value of having good, quality representation on governing bodies who can hold heads to account couldn't be more crucial.  Kate Williams makes some very powerful statements  in this part hitting hard on white supremacy. Subscribe, share, comment, leave us a review and send in any questions you may have.  Resources: If you're wondering about being a governor please go to: Hampshire: https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/governors General: https://www.gov.uk/become-school-college-governor Legal assistance for kids https://www.justforkidslaw.org Catch you on the next episode. Guests: Len and Kate Williams, Parents (Self-employed & Teacher respectively) Emmanuel Korboe, Teacher, Head of Department & Incoming Associate Assistant Head - Secondary School Michael Jordan, Chair of Governors - Primary School
Aug 29, 202023:39
Part 1 | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

Part 1 | Hair | The Ruby Williams Story

In having meaningful conversations, it is imperative that we listen which you'll find a lot of in these episodes. In this Part 1 Episode, we listen to the story of Ruby from her parents Kate and Len Williams. This sadly caused a lot of undue stress over a prolonged period of time.  

- Should it have happened and should any one head teacher wield so much authority and power? 

 - What is the role of the governing body, teachers and authorities? With Kate being a teacher and Len a former governor, they knew what actions to initiate and so we can imagine parents without some of their knowledge and experience to inform them on what steps to take. 

Take that into account while listening. The school uniform policy is non-statutory, (hair and how it is worn is included) however should a school decide to have one there is guidance provided by the Department For Education (DFE) which sets out clearly:  

- Each school decides its uniform and must not discriminate based on sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief. 

Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/school-uniform 

It was great to hear that Ruby was allowed to go on her own hair journey where she discovered overly applying heat was damaging and then later decided to embrace her natural fro. So when a head teacher asks her to consider chemically relaxing her hair to conform, was this appropriate? 

Advice: Always put your concerns in writing. Writing letters is essential when making a case/complaint and can be referred to for evidence. You can read on the story back in February here. Ghana braids are as also called corn/cane rows depending on which region of blackness you come from. The comparison of afro hair to Kevin Keegan's hair goes to show the sheer lack of knowledge and education on the subject.  

Catch you on the next episode. 

Guests: 

Len and Kate Williams, Parents (Self-employed & Teacher respectively) 

Emmanuel Korboe, Teacher, Head of Department & Incoming Associate Assistant Head - Secondary School 

Michael Jordan, Chair of Governors - Primary School 

Aug 22, 202026:11
Intro To Hair Episodes

Intro To Hair Episodes

This is an introduction to what will be discussed in the first series of episodes. Hair is such an emotive part of identity and our youths should not be forced to manipulate or use chemicals to change it just to suit societal misguided ideologies. Let’s hear of a lived experience that should never have happened.
Aug 22, 202002:48
August 18, 2020

August 18, 2020

Aug 18, 202000:50