IS THE UK RACIST AND IF SO, WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

Remember that it has been less than 30 years since perhaps the most notorious race related murder in the UK, that of Stephen Lawrence. After the initial investigation, five suspects were arrested but not charged. It was suggested during the investigation that Stephen Lawrence was killed because he was black, and that the handling of the case by the police and Crown Prosecution Service was affected by issues of race. A 1998 public inquiry, examined the original investigation and concluded that the force, indeed, was institutionally racist.

The Stephen Lawrence case highlights the two forms of racism that exist in the UK today. We have overt, brutal racism such as that suffered by Belly Mujinga, the Transport for London worker who died in April 2020 from coronavirus after being spat at and assaulted by a man who claimed he had Covid-19 (where no further police action would follow); or the trauma of health workers being told by patients that they didn’t want a P*k* to care for them; or to a much lesser extent, my own experiences of being stopped and searched by police on several occasions on my way to school.

But there are also deeper structural inequalities that have pervaded our institutions and psyches. Structures that were built on the foundational principles that being white equals better. Structures that have created both glass ceilings and glass floors, to prevent minorities from climbing too high and their own from falling too low. Structures that influence the perceptions of teachers and recruiters as much as it does police officers.

To avoid things becoming too abstract, let me provide some practical examples:

• Someone answers the phone. They have an Indian accent. What judgements have you already made about their competence?
• Applications for roles in many competitive industries rely on individuals getting work experience that is unpaid and unadvertised. If the vast majority of current employees are white and middle class, who hears about these unadvertised opportunities? And who doesn’t hear about them?
• There are two CVs of comparable candidates, one with the surname Begum and the other Smith. Who is more likely to be called back to interview?
• It’s night and you’re walking home. A young black man in a hoodie is walking towards you on the same side of the street. Do you clutch your handbag more tightly? If this incident were in the US, would you begin to think whether you’d brought your handgun with you that day?

So why are structural inequalities important? They provide an obstacle to fairness and justice and objectivity. They convince us to believe lies and stereotypes about people who deserve much better. They prevent representation and without representation there is nobody to challenge erroneous and discriminatory mind-sets. Mind-sets which leads to actions. Actions which could cost someone an internship, a job or their life.

1. Learn: I have only provided a very brief summary of a string of complex issues but there are countless numbers of books and outlets that will give you a more comprehensive summary. Why I no Longer Talk to White People About Race, There Ain’t No Black in the Union Jack and Me and White Supremacy are excellent. In reading these books you will need to prepare yourself to embrace discomfort. They will challenge many of the structures and ways of thinking that you’ve always taken for granted.
2. Critique your own thoughts: I imagine that most people reading this blog post are not the spitting, abusive people I described earlier. But many of you may be in the second camp where your unconscious bias, prejudices and assumptions lead you to drawing inaccurate and discriminatory conclusions about an individual who looks different to you. You should observe your thoughts and actions and those of your children and colleagues, identifying instances where you fall short of being your best self.
3. Be our voice when we’re not there: Structural inequalities and underrepresentation mean that often minorities are not in the room when discriminatory decisions have been taken. We need individuals and allies who are able to stand for justice in whatever sphere of life they find themselves in. People who are able to use their platforms and positions of influence to ensure justice for those who can’t be seen, who can’t speak and who can’t breathe.

We recognise that a blog around why BLACK LIVES MATTER isn’t enough. And it isn’t. Because practical actions speak louder than words.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be compiling and sending all those interested a follow up of practical resources on structural racism as well as signposting.

This will include reading and re-directing to pre-existing sources suitable for educators, adults and young people.

1. Black and British: A Forgotten History. David Olusoga
2. Back to black: Black radicalism for the 21st century. Kehinde Andrews
3. People like Us. Hashi Mohamed
4. Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World. Layla F Saad
5. Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging. Afua Hirsch
6. The Good Immigrant. Nikesh Shukla
7. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race. Reni Eddo-Lodge
8. I am not your baby mother. Candice Braithwaite
9. So You Want to Talk About Race. Ijeoma Oluo
10. White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Peggy McIntosh
11. Natives, Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire, Akala
12. A tale of three cities: Public officials and senior representation in the NHS, University, Police and Local Authority. Zubeda Limbada
13. Decolonise the curriculum. The Teacherist
14. Wellness for All: Anti-racism in the early years: