Inspirational the heart of Lives Matter Woman at city’s Black movement
Bianca Ali tells her story of growing up in Grangetown and becoming a voice for the black community. Joseph Ali reports...
BIANCA Ali from Cardiff is an extremely proud 29-year-old black woman.
Growing up in a multi-cultural area of the city, Grangetown, Bianca has always been aware of her blackness from a young age.
Now older and wiser about racism in it’s covert and overt forms, Bianca has become an inspirational activist and is the voice of Black Lives Matter Cardiff and Vale.
“We were always very aware that we were black. We loved our blackness and we’ve always celebrated it,” Bianca explained.
“I grew up in a very multi-cultural area and the school I went to was very multicultural. Me and my friends used to have a group when we were little called the ‘Blacky crew.’”
Explaining she’d never come across racism at an early age, Bianca recalls her time in school after moving to a predomi- nantly white area. From being followed and watched in corner shops at the age of only 13, her awareness of racism began to grow.
“At the age of 13 I remember being stared at when I went to the corner shop,” she said.
“It would happen continuously. From them sort of ages, I became more aware of racism.
“I went to a school in Penarth and a group of boys, one in particular, used to make me feel horrendous and say things like ‘why do you push your bum out?’ or ‘why do you walk like a gorilla?.’
“The same boys making fun of my body were probably going home and listening to Biggie and 2Pac. It’s very ironic in a way.
“I know a lot of white people that would cover up their racism but would still indulge in our food and wear their hair in certain ways. (They) take the parts that they feel are good and run with that.”
Bianca knows all too well the microaggressions that racism takes the form of. Like passion being seen as anger and aggressiveness, the “angry black woman” complex is nothing new to Bianca, who dealt with similar instances in school. “It always happens”, she admitted. “Growing up in high school I was really misunderstood. All the schools were predominantly white and I think in Barry Girls there were three black girls, two sisters and myself.
“Say for instance I’d be upset and too distracted to do work, rather than the teacher just saying ‘Bianca, is everything OK?’ they would automatically just say ‘if you’re not going to do work, get out.’
“Me sitting in silence and staring into space was my cry for help. Instead of them seeing that, they would just see me as a naughty child not wanting to do work.”
Bianca feels extremely passionate about education and urges white educators who may not have experience with black people and different cultures to educate themselves.
“You can be a middle class white person who’s never seen a black person before and work in a school that’s multicultural,” she said.
“Educate yourself before you go into that school.
“You can’t come from this privileged white background and work with these children and expect them to engage and understand you and vice versa. You could never understand unless you educate yourself.”
The past year has seen the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement globally.
Sparked by the death of George Floyd in the United States due to police brutality, Black Lives Matter Cardiff and Vale fronted a huge protest which saw thousands in attendance at Bute Park.
Since George Floyd, multiple protests have taken place in Cardiff following the death of Mohamud Hassan, all of which Bianca attended and spoke at.
“I’ve never watched the [George Floyd] video, I’ve only ever seen up to the point he gets out of the car. I can’t and won’t watch it,” Bianca said.
“I was extremely proud of Cardiff, was insane the turnout. it
“On that note, I’m heartbroken over the year the amount of people attending these protests has dropped. We can all be in awe, but the numbers of the recent protests were 80-odd people.
“I think the protests are extremely important, especially with Mohamud’s case. The police need to know that the community is strong, the community is passionate, the community is united and we are going to put the pressure on them”.
With problems faced within the black community such as how LGBT+ and disabled people are treated, Bianca wants to make it clear that Black Lives Matter Cardiff
and Vale is all-encompassing to all its communities.
Echoing the likes of black transgender activist Marsha P Johnson’s work, Bianca wants to “continuously fight” for all who need it.
“From then, until now, it’s important. We’re going to continuously fight for black trans women but LGBT+ people as well,” she said.
“We’re also raising awareness of black disabled people, as they’re normally swept under the rug in regards to getting a platform.
“I think it’s incredibly important, and we will always have a stage, mic and door for anyone to have their say.”
Her selfless work for her community has sent shockwaves across Wales and the rest of the UK, bringing much needed light and discussion to the topic of racism.
The Ron Todd Foundation, a charity that seeks to tackle poverty and social injustice, has recognised Bianca’s efforts and has announced her as the recipient of the Inspiring Young People Award.
“It feels amazing. I cried for half an hour when I saw the message about the award,” she added.
“It’s incredible, but I can’t really take it in if I’m being honest. Everything I’ve been doing I’ve been doing on autopilot.
“It’s something that should be done. Someone has to do it and if everyone is happy for me to be the voice of the community, I’m more than happy to do so.”