by Sylvia Arthur

It seems Europe has taken its migrant policy from the American blues singer, Big Bill Broonzy, whose 1940s anthem “Black, Brown, White” eloquently captured the indignity of the Jim Crow era:

They says if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, stick around
But as you's black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back

While European nations have grudgingly agreed to host 120,000 of the 500,000 refugees who’ve made the perilous journey to their shores this year, their offer of sanctuary is primarily to those fleeing the bloodshed in Syria. The same grace hasn’t been extended to those coming from outside Syria's war-torn borders, many of whom happen to be of a darker hue.

By Yovanka Paquete Perdigao

I have been quite slow to think and react about the migrant crisis affecting Europe. I am a Black woman living in London with many privileges, more preoccupied with my life’s problems such as where to go to party for Notting Hill Carnival, a job, boyfriends, crap TV, friends’ skirmishes, etc. Living in a life relatively free of worries on security, food, and a home has meant that in the whirlwind of life I forget myself.