Black Lives Matter sparks online action against racism in Cumbria

A woman from Windermere has been inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement to raise awareness of racism in Cumbria.

The death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, has sparked protests and anti-racism demonstrations all over the world.

Based on her own experiences, Janett Walker is hoping to start a local Black Lives Matter group.

She said: "I've had people shout the 'n' word out to me in the past certainly when I first got here, but it's the day-to-day racism you really see that isn't necessarily that obvious to a lot of people."

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Together with her business partner, Janett held an online discussion encouraging people to talk about issues around race in Cumbria.

She said: "All those awkward...questions were asked, but a lot of people, by the end, and certainly by the following day, were saying 'I've had racist views. I've thought racist things. Some of the practices I've indulged in over the years have been racist. I've never thought about it from this perspective. Thank you for giving us that space - I am going to challenge people more'."

"Cumbria's not a racist place to live, openly. I think the issue with Cumbria is that people think it doesn't happen here. It's not a massive issue that you see here - it's the day-to-day little cuts that racism is."

"I think we can all help to make that change", she said. "You don't have to be the most powerful person in the world, or the least, but if we all work together we can start to see change absolutely."