Jen Reid Activist still hard at work on road to change
IT’S fair to say that Jen Reid has had an immensely busy few years, which show no signs of slowing, with a new book on the horizon and a fashion brand just launched.
Jen became an icon of anti-racism in 2020 when she stood on the empty plinth where the statue of slave trader Edward Colston had been, and made a Black Power salute.
Marc Quinn created a sculpture, based on a photograph of her pose, to put on the plinth. But the work, entitled ‘A Surge of Power (Jen Reid),’ was removed by Bristol City Council within 24 hours because it had not approved the installation. But where is it now?
“The statue is in safe hands,” Jen said. “It’s still earmarked to be sold and is currently being kept safe until a sale goes through. All of the proceeds of the sale will be donated to Cargo Classroom, an initiative led by Dr Lawrence Hoo.”
She added: “For me, when the statue came down, I said this is about history not being told in its full context. It’s for young Black children to have a sense of belonging and to feel proud.
“All of the Cargo Classroom lessons are about Black people in history and their white counterparts.”
The UK’s mainstream curriculum still frames Black history solely on slavery, often through a European and white lens, which is what initiatives like Cargo Classroom and the Black Curriculum seek to change.
“Slavery is a big part of it, but we are not just slaves,” Jen added. “There is definitely more to that. It’s about children having a sense of pride and representation.”
When asked if enough had changed since the events of 2020, Jen was quick to say “not in the slightest”.
“It’s just chipping away and people doing their bit and playing their part, which could take a long time. That’s why I’m really enthused when I go to schools and visit younger children who are definitely ‘generation change,’ but it might not be in my lifetime.”
Allyship is one of the most important things, Jen said. “People are more confident to speak out now and start calling people out. Whatever their views are, some people may be a little shame-faced to say how they feel. But there is still a long way to go.”
Jen sees children as the future in the fight against racial injustice. “For me, I’ve really given up with adults in that context. They feel how they feel, they think how they think,” she said.
“From me visiting schools around the country, the children are generation change – there has been a shift. Whether I see it in my lifetime, I don’t know, but I definitely know the future looks a lot brighter. Children are asking questions and speaking out, which I think is a bold thing to do.”
Jen has co-authored a children’s book with Angela Joy, with illustrations from Leire Salaberria, retelling the events of June 2020.
She said: “My publishing agent found me a co-author in America and she grew up looking at the statue of the Ku Klux Klan leader. Her daughter is now asking her questions about that statue, which is still there.”
The book has recently been sent to print and will hit the shelves on June 6 next year.
“It’s just a beautiful book,” said Jen. “It’s a fictional book about a little girl called Jenna who looks at statues around the town and she doesn’t see anybody like herself.
“One day she wakes up and sees a statue of a strong Black woman with her fist raised. At the back of the book, it talks about who Colston was. It’s very informative. Children read it with an adult and you’ve got some guidance to ask children questions.”
With the book sent to print, Jen’s focus turned to the launch of her own fashion brand, Big Stush. Jen has always wanted to start a venture offering accessories and sustainable clothing but there had been more pressing issues in life to deal with first.
Big Stush launched with jewellery and accessories that she has handpicked, which will eventually lead to her creating her own designs, with sustainable fashion in the future. “Everything I am selling is everything I would wear; there’s nothing that I wouldn’t wear,” she said.
‘Stush’ is a Jamaican term and is often used to refer to someone who looks effortlessly good. ‘Big’ is often used to describe Jen and her husband, she says, so the fashion brand was born.
Big Stush launched online last week and was marked by an event at Duke & Scarlett salon in the city centre.
Talking of her brand, she said: “It’s bold, it’s colourful, it’s out there and it brings a whole new meaning to a statement piece. It’s to instil confidence. I say ‘wear it loud and proud.’”
The brand promises eclectic designs and unique pieces that are essential to any wardrobe.
You can follow Big Stush at www. bigstush.com/ and on Facebook and Instagram.
❝Visiting schools around the country, the children are generation change – there has been a shift. I definitely know the future looks a lot brighter
Jen Reid