Some thoughts from Nikita Chadha (she/they), Consortium’s Racial Justice Engagement Officer:
Race Equality Week is starting across the UK today.
With any awareness week, there can be an increase in visibility or asks for extra capacity.
With that in mind, we want to start the week with a reminder to all of those who are supporting people that are working within racial justice.
– Be mindful of people’s capacity this week.
– Racial justice work happens all year round and shouldn’t solely be confined to one week of the year.
– People that have experienced racism may need extra time and breathing space this week.
– Actions are important but so are conversations: are there any spaces for people to speak freely and give feedback about their experiences within your organisation?
Any kind of work that focuses on someone’s lived experience can be difficult at best, and should be treated carefully.
If that is you – please look after yourselves this week!
Make sure you carve out time for yourself this week. Get out in the sun (if you can), make some time for joy/play, or create meaningful space for yourself with meditation.
Understanding that there is a problem with racial equality is the best place to start with enacting and impacting change. Especially for those people with other intersections to their identity, like gender or sexuality diversity.
This is the reality of being a racialised queer person in the UK:
– Half of Black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT+ people (51 per cent) have experienced discrimination or poor treatment from others in their local LGBT+ community because of their ethnicity. This number rises to three in five Black LGBT+ people (61 per cent)*
– Black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT+ people are more likely than white LGBT people to experience domestic abuse from a partner,
17 per cent compared to 11 per cent*
– Half of Black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT+ people (51 per cent) have experienced discrimination or poor treatment because of their ethnicity from others in their local LGBT+ community. This number rises to three in five Black LGBT+ people (61 per cent)*
*stats taken from Stonewall’s LGBT in Britain Home and Communities Report
Last year, we worked with an external consultant to speak to our members who engage in racial justice work around what is needed within the sector or what needs to change.
This week we have released an initial report with a summary of findings, the full report and subsequent EDI goals will be released later in the Spring: Summary Racial Justice Report Findings
We’ll be working on some sector wide resources and recommendations to feature alongside it, so watch this space.
#ItsEveryonesBusiness #RaceEqualityWeek2023 #ActionDrivesChange #REW23
Get in touch with Nikita