Welcome back to another edition of the EmbRACE newsletter. October was Black History Month, and a busy period for us. Things culminated in a culture lunch celebrating the Jamaican heritage of several of our colleagues.
Today we are looking at systemic racism, vulnerability, racism in politics, and racial gaslighting. Matt invites us to ask the question, ‘what does a racist look like?’; systemic racism offers us a potentially uncomfortable answer.
This newsletter contains a number of sections contributed by different authors - people like you who are taking active steps to educate themselves and become actively anti-racist.
We have included something for you to do, something for you to read, to watch, to listen to, to attend, and some terminology for you to ponder. So, whatever your interests and learning styles, we hope there’s something that appeals to you. Many of these sections will include a personal reflection from the contributor - we hope it’s encouraging to hear how other people are experiencing their own journey. Some sections will also offer suggested reflections that will hopefully help us all to critically examine our current state, behaviours, and feelings.
Something to do
Attend Levelling the Field - Championing Ethnic Diversity in the NHS
Friday, 3 December 2021, 08:45 – 16:30. Online. Free tickets.
A free, online, conference. Sessions will cover: the challenges faced by international medical graduates and international nurses working in the NHS; Workforce Race Equality Standards; supporting international doctors and nurses.
Something to read
So you want to talk about race - Ijeoma Oluo
Systemic racism is a machine that runs whether we pull the levers or not, and by just letting it be, we are responsible for what it produces. We have to actually dismantle the machine if we want to make change. (page 30)
We live in a society where race is one of the biggest indicators of your success in life. There are sizable racial divides in wealth, health, life expectancy, infant mortality, incarceration rates, and so much more. We cannot look at a society where racial inequality is so universal and longstanding and say, “This is all the doing of a few individuals with hate in their hearts.” It just doesn’t make sense. (page 31)
Racism was designed to support an economic and social system for those at the very top. This was never motivated by hatred of people of colour, and the goal was never in and of itself simply the subjugation of people of color. The ultimate goal of racism was the profit and comfort of the white race, specifically, of rich white men. The oppression of people of color was an easy way to get this wealth and power, and racism was a good way to justify it. (page 32)
What’s the context?
Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanised millions around the world. The stakes for transformative conversations about race could not be higher. Still, the task ahead seems daunting, and it’s hard to know where to start. How do you tell your boss her jokes are racist? Why did your sister-in-law hang up on you when you had questions about police reform? How do you explain White privilege to your White, privileged friend?
In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from police brutality and cultural appropriation to the model minority myth in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race, and about how racism infects every aspect of American life.
Who’s the creator?
Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo, ijeomaoluo.com) is a Nigerian-American writer, born in Denton, Texas, United States, and based in Seattle. In her own words, she is a writer, speaker and internet yeller. Her writing on issues of racism began after the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in 2012 was met with resounding silence by some in her community. Martin, a 17 year old African-American was shot by a member of the neighbourhood watch after being described as “suspicious”. He was the same age as Oluo’s son.
Ijeoma is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want to Talk About Race and most recently, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America. Her work on race has been featured in The Guardian, The New York Times and The Washington Post. She was named in the 2021 TIME 100 Next list and has twice been named in the Root 100. She received the 2018 Feminist Humanist Award and the 2020 Harvard Humanist of the Year Award from the American Humanist Association.
What does it mean to me? (Tom)
So You Want To Talk About Race is brilliantly structured as an accessible guide to anti-racism. Chapters cover “What is racism?” to “Why can’t I touch your hair?”. Ijeoma walks with us on her own journey and tells us personal stories of her experiences. She includes practical examples of things we can do right now to make a difference. However, this is a book I took a break from. There came a time when I found I was unable, or unwilling, to throw myself back into the difficult work of learning about racism. The White perspective I have grown up with is largely very comfortable. I find it extremely confronting to open my eyes to what our shared reality looks like to people of colour. Sometimes I don’t want to. I have the privilege to be able to take a step back from issues of race, to choose when, or if, I engage with them. Clearly that option isn’t open to everyone. So, whilst self-care is important, I also believe it is my responsibility to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It is my responsibility to work through the psychological discomfort of accepting that the world isn’t how I had believed it to be, such that together we can reduce the very real physical, psychological and emotional impacts of racism on people of colour. Racism has lethal consequences, my discomfort does not. And so, it is time to open the book again.
Suggested reflections
Ijeoma uses the following definition of racism: “any prejudice against someone because of their race, when those views are reinforced by systems of power”. Why might the inclusion of “systems of power” be important?
If we participate in a system which produces racist outcomes, are we ourselves racist? What are our responsibilities as participants in such a system? What do we expect of ourselves and others?
How do we respond if, or when, a conversation about issues of race becomes uncomfortable? Does our current response serve us?
Consider supporting authors, and book sellers, of colour by getting your own copy of the book from a retailer such as Afrori Books. Every purchase is a vote.
Something to watch
The Power of Vulnerability - Brené Brown
What’s the context?
Vulnerability is not weakness. It is uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure. People avoid being vulnerable because it’s easy and comfortable. Opening up, being brave and taking chances could result in feeling shame, fear, anxiety and uncertainty. Some of us aren’t brave enough to feel these feelings and we avoid the possibility of hurt and pain. It’s easier in the short term to avoid being vulnerable and courageous. Being vulnerable can, however, open the door to connection, true love, belonging and joy. These experiences would not be possible if people are unwilling to do the uncomfortable. People may struggle to create, innovate, and make changes in the world if they are not willing to show up and be vulnerable.
Who’s the creator?
Dr Brené Brown (@brenebrown) is a research professor at the University of Houston. She has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Her TED talk, ‘The Power of Vulnerability’ is one of the top five most viewed TED talks in the world with over 50 million views. She is the author of five New York Times bestsellers and presented ‘A Call to Courage’ in a 2019 Netflix original.
Brené is a natural leader who inspires and moves us. She shows up on stage, comfortable, easy, witty, and refreshingly humble. She is authentic. Her words are more than words. They are a way of life.
What does it mean to me? (Siv)
I watched this talk 5 years ago at a difficult time of my life. I was struggling to understand my worth and confused about which direction I was headed. This talk made me re-think my purpose in life. She confirmed to me that it was ok to not be ok. She gave me the courage I needed to take a step into the unknown. It was the first time I allowed others to catch a glimpse of the real imperfect me.
Vulnerability encourages us to remain open even when we feel threatened and have faith that it’s ok to be brave, rather than safe, which might serve to protect White fragility. Instead of shying away from the daily racial harm that we are witnessing, we need to face our pain, examine it, and respond in different ways. Discussing these experiences surfaces uncomfortable feelings for all of us, no matter what colour we are.
I hope others will watch this and it will help them to take a courageous step. I hope it helps People of Colour explore their past, share their lived experiences with others and stand up to the racists. I hope it helps White people put their fragility and guilt aside and step forwards to help dismantle racist systems and become actively anti-racist. It’s ok to feel discomfort. It’s ok to say or do the wrong thing. That’s how we learn and change. Most importantly, that’s how we connect to others and become whole-hearted.
Suggested reflections
Next time we look at ourselves in the mirror, ask if we are being truly vulnerable?
What are our personal barriers to being vulnerable?
What makes us feel worthy? How can we help others feel worthy?
Something to listen to
White Season part 1 and 2 - About Race podcast by Reni Eddo-Lodge
What’s the context?
The British National Party (BNP) experienced some of their greatest political success in the Borough of Barking and Dagenham in 2005. Their candidate Richard Barnbrook got 17% of the vote. The following year in the local elections of 2006 the BNP took 11 of the 51 seats on Barking and Dagenham council.
The openly racist party exploited a community that had been badly affected by the loss of jobs at the local Ford factory which led to rising unemployment. This community felt ‘left behind’ by mainstream politics at the time as the Labour party, traditionally a workers party, focused on middle class voters. There was a popular media narrative at the time that the ‘White working class’ were being ignored by politicians, inferring that BAME working class citizens were getting preferential treatment or increased focus.
In this two-part podcast Reni Eddo-Lodge takes a deep dive into this era of British politics and dissects exactly how a multi-cultural Labour voting borough could become enticed by a party like the BNP. Featuring Owen Jones, Billy Bragg and, my personal favourite activist/historian/musician, Akala. Reni explores all the forces within this community and society at large that led to the rise of this racist party.
Who’s the creator?
Reni Eddo-Lodge’s (@renireni) first book Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race was released in 2017 to critical acclaim and became a national bestseller. Her upfront commentary on race, gender and the construction of white identity was eye opening for many including myself. In 2018 she started the ‘About Race’ podcast (Spotify) as an accompaniment to a book that deconstructed Britain's relationship with race.
What does it mean to me? (Matt)
I really enjoyed this podcast because it doesn’t oversimplify what is a very complex topic. All too often anti-racist voices can make the mistake of attributing the rise of racism to pure hatred or stupidity. This podcast demonstrates just how complex people's political choices are and how justifiable anger can be misdirected towards the ‘other’. The idea of race and White supremacy is an invented construct that has been used as a political tool throughout our history; Akala’s book ‘Natives' explains this excellently.
Racism has been exploited by politicians on both sides of the political spectrum. I think that no matter who we vote for we should all be unified in the belief that we don’t want racial hatred weaponised in politics; hopefully something we can all agree on!
Suggested reflections
What does a racist look like, where do they live? What assumptions are we using to answer this question?
Can we think of examples of racism being used in politics locally or nationally?
How might we challenge a loved one if they were considering voting for a racist party?
Some words to ponder
‘Racial gaslighting’ is a term used to describe the ways individuals or institutions may try to manipulate or question people of colour’s experiences and sense of reality. It sows doubt around the definition, experience and impact of racism, making it difficult for people of colour to trust their instincts and feelings. Racial gaslighting can result in a shift of scrutiny onto people of colour, forcing victims to question their response to racism, rather than the act of racism itself. It undermines lived experience and silences the voices of people of colour. By gaslighting, White people may avoid feeling guilty, avoid accountability and ensure their own comfort, whilst upholding their privilege. Gaslighting can be emotionally distressing and can erode a person of colour’s sense of self, self-worth and confidence.
Racial gaslighting may look like:
“Are you sure that’s what really happened?”
“How can we say for sure it was racially motivated?”
“We don’t know both sides of the story!”
“Why is it always about race?”
“You’re too sensitive/ it’s not that bad!”
What does it mean to me? (Rena & Tom)
What follows is some advice. We offer it cautiously. It is a reflection of our own experiences. We believe that when someone seeks help, advice is rarely what is required in the first instance. So why are we offering it here? EmbRACE’s intention is to share our anti-racism journey and to offer positive steps that we can all put into action straight away. This advice is an offer. If you find it valuable, then it is yours to keep. If it isn’t a good fit for you, then you are under no obligation to take it on board.
If you experience racial gaslighting, try to establish boundaries with the gaslighter. Consider removing yourself from the conversation if it is causing you harm. Reach out for support. Try not to allow people to tell you how to feel about something they have not experienced.
To avoid perpetrating gaslighting myself, I try to allow people to express their individual truth without challenging, denying, or deflecting from it. I don’t always manage this. I seek to acknowledge their experience and the way it has affected them. I will use questions to explore how the experience made them feel, rather than to challenge their perception of events. I do not have to share or endorse another person’s point of view. However, if I use my power and status to request that another person reconsiders their own truth, that is gaslighting.
Suggested reflections
What feelings do I have about the term ‘racial gaslighting’? Does it explain my experiences? Does it feel like a trap I will fall into?
When have I experienced, witnessed, or perpetrated racial gaslighting?
Think of a time when someone told me about their experience of racism. What was the first question I asked? Did it have the effect of opening up the conversation, deflecting away from it, or shutting it down?
If someone tells me about their experience of racism, how can I support them to ensure racial gaslighting does not occur? How can I be an ally to people experiencing racism, and affirm and support their feelings and experiences?
Something to attend
Melanin Markets Manchester - Christmas market showcasing Black businesses
Sunday 5th December 2021, 12:00 - 17:00
Black business owners Bianca Danielle (Ruby Dean Designs) and Kelly Morgan (Plantain Ave) will be hosting this Melanin Markets Christmas event in the Contact theatre. They wanted to create a space to spotlight Black business owners like themselves, whilst providing a fun, festive event in a building that many people from the local community may not have visited before.
The Contact theatre’s values include:
We promote inclusion, access, understanding between communities, and a commitment to anti-racism
Melanin Markets and the Contact theatre stand by the Black Pound Day ethos of increasing the visibility of Black businesses and highlighting the importance of spending Black, so as to facilitate change around socio-economic inequalities affecting Black communities.