As diverse and multicultural the U.K can feel at times that doesn’t change the fact that Black people only make up 3% of the population. That 3% can feel even smaller when you see that you don’t get the same representation and recognition as your white peers in the media. There’s more to black representation then pain. That’s not our story. Black British representation is richness, excellence, success, and greatness and names such as Little Simz, Stormzy and Dave show that and more.
As a young Black woman writing this, I’ll admit it’s easy to feel overlooked or as if your voice doesn’t matter. Seeing a person like Little Simz, who looks like you, talks like you and who comes from the same background as you, re-affirms that self-importance and self-belief in your mind that you can do whatever you want, and no-one can take away what is meant for you. Little Simz winning a BRIT award was a big moment to watch on TV because her winning felt like we all won with her. Little Simz, a woman from North London, a woman from the same background as so many of us showed that if you carry on believing in the vision you see for yourself and stick to it, no-one can take that success and reward away from you, even when you do look like me. Having that representation means so much to all the Black girls and boys watching because it reminds you that your voice and existence is more than important to this world and even when it feels like you can’t get to where you want, trust that you can. People will have no choice but to acknowledge your greatness and skill, because me Little Simz, a Black woman, is here
Another moment that showed Black greatness and richness at its finest was Dave’s 2022 BRIT performance of In the fire ft Giggs, Ghetts, Meekz and Fredo. This was a moment that had the whole world looking at these Black British men and the greatness they have. It showed us Black people taking up our space and enjoying it like we deserve. No-one can ignore or forget Dave’s closing performance in the same way you can never forget our rich Black culture and what we bring. There might only be 3% of us in the U.K but that 3% is coming louder than ever and we’re going to make sure we’re represented in a way that is true to us.
I couldn’t talk about Black representation without mentioning Big Man Mike aka Stormzy, who had the entire world in awe of him when he shut down the BRIT awards with his 2020 medley performance. He was himself and didn’t care for anything anyone would say after it. He was just a Black man having fun. Nothing more and nothing less. Having that representation is so important because you don’t realise how much it means to you until later in life. Black British representation is black joy and unity. Seeing people like Little Simz, Dave and Stormzy who come from the same background as us and who we can all see ourselves in, means so much to those watching, because it reminds everyone that we’re here to take up space proudly and will carry on doing so. Make way for the Black community because we’re coming in full force whether you’re ready or not.
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