Based on a conversation with Aisha Edwards
Aisha reflects on why diversity in the media is needed, some of the barriers she has had to overcome in her life and why she thinks Black History Month is so important…
October is Black History Month. This is a month that gives people the opportunity to share and celebrate the impact of black heritage and culture.
I wish that this was something that people were doing all year round, not just at this time, but I think it’s great that people are stopping to think about the good things black people have done through history.
There are lots of black people, especially women, who I look up to and have had an impact on my life.
Letitia Wright is a big role model for me. She is a Guyana-born actress who has overcome problems like depression and is now living in the UK and is a successful actress.
I think it would be great if people could stop to think this month about the black men and women who have influenced them.
The UK has such a variety of people from different ethnicities, and I think it is really important that we respect everyone equally.
I think what we see on TV and online should reflect this.
I have just been part of some work with Photosymbols to help make their image library more diverse.
Photosymbols is a picture library for EasyRead information featuring actors with learning disabilities.
I think work like this is needed because when people see other people who look like them in the media and online, it can help them to feel seen and heard.
I think this is especially important for black people with a learning disability.
People don’t have control over either of these things but can be treated badly because of it.
They might find it harder to get a job or start friendships.
For me, when looking for a job, people have looked at me as if I can’t do it but it’s not that I can’t do it, I just take a little longer.
But I feel good about what I have managed to achieve in my life even though things have been hard.
I now work as a Theatre usher at the Young Vic theatre and am a self-advocate with Lewisham Speaking Up.
At my self-advocacy group, we try to make our own lives better as well as other people’s lives who have learning disabilities.
I am proud of the work we have done together. I am proud to have a learning disability and I’m proud to be black.