Gal-dem on the power of positivity and grassroots movements
Disheartened, disenfranchised and afraid for the future, today’s General Election result has taken the wind from beneath our wings. After fighting for what we believe, it’s hard to dust yourselves off and start afresh, but the fight is only just beginning. After Gal-dem’s All Nighter at The Standard London’s library lounge, we were empowered and encouraged once more. A night full of hope, celebration and safety, the platform’s vital voice is a light in the darkness, promising a space for people of colour to take up.
As Gal-dem’s Politics Editor Leah Cowan wrote today, ‘We’ve fought back against a Tory government before and we’ll do it again’. Cowan writes, “Hope is complicated and risky, but precisely because of the disappointing election result, we should still seize it with both hands”. And a night full of hope Gal-dem gave us, with a series of panel discussions, comedy club sessions, campaigning workshops and activities to help everyone navigate their way through the political jargon, the night was a refreshingly positive place despite the negative news. We talk to Gal-dem’s Mariel Richards the morning after the night before to debunk our feelings, and find power for the people once more.
What inspired you to bring people together for the election night?
The election period took its toll on so many this year. For our community, it was important to open up a space where we could be together, skillshare, organise and remind one another of the power we hold.
How did you prepare for the result?
Last night was devastating, but our politics editor put it so well – our politics shouldn’t start and end with parliament. Our vote is just one tool we use as part of our activism.
Why do you vote?
To have our voice heard, to take up space.
How do you think platforms like Gal-dem are changing the scenery of political journalism?
We offer our audiences unashamedly political content. We recognise the importance of holding politicians to account and providing actionable tools and information to our audience to use, whatever the political climate.
The result was not what we wanted, what will you do as a platform?
Like Leah [Gal-dem’s Politics Editor] said – our politics has never begun or ended with parliament – whatever the result, we knew this was just the start of a new phase of our activism.
