Ukraine war 1-year on: ‘forgotten’ African students still suffer

The Independent Race Report Newsletter

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE February 28, 2023 View online Greetings, dear reader!   As we edge into the second quarter of 2023, you may scroll down and read the latest dispatches of news on race.   From the overlooked plight of Ukraine's African students and "ignored" racial disparities in sexually transmitted infections across Britain to the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival and new Black romantic comedy - set in Peckham - about to hit our silver screens, there's nuff to talk about.   Like many, I was impressed to recently see Jason Arday, 37, become Cambridge University's youngest Black professor after being unable to read or write for most of his teenage years.   Looking at this example, a quote came to my mind attributed to author Michael Johnson: "Life begins when you start something, and blooms when you keep doing it".  Something 'good' or 'wholesome', I'd add.   It's not merely Jason's feat as a 'first' within an institution that stokes inspiration into the hearts of many; rather, it's the academic's diligence and tenacity, which saw him overcome great odds in the steady pursuit of a goal.    Remember to get in touch if you have any ideas, tips and suggestions for future newsletters via nadine.white@independent.co.uk.    Where are the African students who fled Ukraine, one year on?   As the world acknowledges the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine war, thousands of African students who fled the country have been "frozen out" of receiving support for those driven out by Russian attacks, The Independent has been told.   Before the conflict, around 76,000 international students were based there, mostly from Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Zimbabwe and India.   But after grappling with racism at Ukraine's borders while trying to flee, a large number of students are now displaced across no less than 21 countries, unsure of their next move.   Many are unable to complete their studies and battling with the mental and emotional distress of having escaped Putin's onslaught; some are facing poverty, while others have even taken their own lives, The Independent has learned.   Meanwhile, governments, global agencies and charities are being urged to do more to help international students and not just white Ukrainian citizens...because their Black lives matter.   Read more here and watch our short video report. Granny threatened with deportation despite entire family living in UK wins right to stay   A grandmother threatened with deportation has won the right to remain in Britain after a six-year battle with the Home Office, The Independent can reveal.   Susita Balasubranamiamm, 66, was ordered to return to Sri Lanka - leaving behind her children and grandchildren - after the government said her recently-retired husband Shanmugham, 74, no longer met the required income threshold.   Following two applications to renew her visa, two appeals against the Home Office's refusal and a grant of permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal, Ms Susita now gets to stay with her family in peace.   Shamima Begum cannot return to UK after losing appeal against citizenship removal   The decision to remove Shamima Begum's British citizenship was lawful, a court has ruled despite finding that she may have been trafficked for sexual exploitation by Isis.   Critics of this move argue that it demonstrates Britain's "racist two-tiered system" of citizenship whereby people with ethnic minority backgrounds are more vulnerable to being stripped of their citizenship than white Britons, if they fall foul of the law.   After all: white Jihadi brides Samantha Lewthwaite and Sally-Anne Jones were not stripped of their British citizenship and legally could not be.    Black people have highest rate of STIs in Britain. Not enough is being done to change that.   Black people have highest rate of sexually transmitted infections in Britain and this has been the case since at least 1994.    These groups are experiencing "disproportionately high rates" of various STI diagnoses compared to white Britons. Those of Black Caribbean heritage specifically have the highest rates for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes and trichomoniasis.   Experts have told The Independent that healthcare providers are failing to address these disparities, calling for more research to fully understand the complicated reasons why STIs are higher among particular groups. Shocking footage shows mass brawl at girls' secondary school in Kent as student attacked and called racist slur   A shocking video shows the moment a mass brawl broke out between students at a secondary school in Kent.   The footage shows a group of around a dozen girls fighting one another during a violent incident at Walderslade Girls' School in Chatham.   In videos of the fight, a white girl can be seen charging into a classroom and attacking a Black student before a brawl erupts between the girls and their friends. The girl was called the racist slur: 'Black c*nt'.   Kent Police is investigating the matter, along with the school, and The Independent has been told that several students involved have now been permanently excluded.   This is the second attack on a Black girl at a UK school in the space of about two weeks.   Enjoying this newsletter?   For timely news updates, keep an eye on my article homepage and follow me on Twitter. I'm also on Instagram and Tiktok: @Nadine_Writes.   Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our welcome offer when you join today. Cambridge University's Jason Arday becomes youngest Black professor (above) Leading figures land nominations at this year's British Muslim Awards Clear Channel Compass and Jamii announce collaboration to give free outdoor advertising space to Black-owned businesses Black teacher at Hampshire college was recently awarded £70,000 after suing for racial harassment Starting today, young professionals from the UK and India will be able to live, study, travel and work in each other's country for up to two years under the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS), the UK government has announced 'Rye Lane', a new Black British romantic comedy, is hitting the cinemas and streaming in an all-too-rare feat. Directed by Raine Allen-Miller in her feature directorial debut from a screenplay by Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia, the film is set in Brixton and Peckham, south London A government petition has been launched calling for an inquiry into injustices suffered by Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff members The Windrush Caribbean Film Festival (WCFF) has welcomed Ansel Wong and Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe into its fold, two popular figures within the UK's cultural communities Essential reading Black activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu threatened with 'execution' by British 'Neo Nazi group' in chilling letter From controversy to comedy: Supermodel Eunice Olumide on race, pain and laughter The NHS emergency care crisis: 'Left for 16 hours in A&E suffering sickle cell pain' Tracy-Ann Oberman: 'Shakespeare could not avoid the attitude of hatred towards Jews at the time he was writing' Unforgotten's Sanjeev Bhaskar: 'Rishi Sunak as prime minister reveals latent racism in people – like my show Goodness Gracious Me did' Humza Yousaf runs for SNP leader - if victorious he'll become the first Asian First Minister of Scotland Convictions under racist 'joint enterprise' gang law to be monitored by CPS for first time 'Investigate racism in Covid-19 inquiry,' bereaved families urge government Nigeria's female bouncers show their strength fighting stereotypes We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle Join now Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Join now Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Join now Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle Join now If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. 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