Black History Month: Understanding Race, Culture and Sex

This delightful news comes from RSVP’s Race and Equality ISVA, Angela Foster-Mason. In celebration of this year’s Black History Month, Angela was invited to be a part of a grand event organised by a trailblazing black organisation, Melanin Moods 🎤🍹. She was accompanied by Jade Henry (CYP ISVA). Both were supported by Maria Serrudo (CYP ISVA). 

Melanin Moods CIC is an award-winning Black-led organisation established in 2020. They provide specialist support to Black and Brown communities. Angela and Jade were invited to be a part of their Convos & Cocktails evening; a safe space for the Black and Brown community to come together and discuss about issues within our community.

The theme was ‘Black Culture and Relationship with Sex’, in response to high-profile Black men being accused/on trial for sexual assault. It was an evening of hard conversations and much needed debate.

Tapping into her expertise, Angela was invited to speak as part of the ‘Spotlight’ section of the evening. She opened the conversation about embodied trauma and what it can look like for minoritised survivors of sexual violence. This brought to attention the difficulties and barriers that are faced institutionally, but also internally from within the community. She also highlighted how language is important, and how we need to get to grips with the language associated with not only sexual violence, but our own body parts as well. 

Jade Henry was a panelist and really brought to attention the need to break down the taboo around sex itself, and to revisit some misogynistic mind-sets and victim blaming attitudes that run rampant in our community. She and Maria were key in identifying police grey areas, specifically with statutory rape. 

RSVP and our incredible ISVAs are proud to amplify the voices of our black and brown communities. We stand in pride and power, continuing to be an ally for black survivors of rape and sexual abuse.

You can find out more about Melanin Moods here.