Director’s Blog – Lisa Charlotte Davis
Imagine a vulnerable 16 year old lad who has moved here to get away from something unpleasant in his home land and has engaged in a learning and support process to help him integrate and make his steps into education and employment but finds himself being shoved and spat at on public transport.
The report, led by the very inspiring Peter Hopkins FRSE FAcSS indicates that 54% of those they spoke to had directly experienced racism, rising to 78% who felt it to be an everyday issue.
Of those with direct experience, 1/3 experienced it on public transport.
And this is where the coalition’s point about being anti-racist rather than simply non-racist feels relevant. Because it means things are happening in a context where others have observed and I wonder how many of those bystanders took action in any shape or form.
Interestingly, given the claims of many right wing oriented groups that they are motivated by protecting women’s safety, 70% of those who experienced direct racism were women.
The North East Anti-Racism Coalition is such a brilliant collective of people who are absolutely committed to changing this picture and who get that doing so means meeting people where they are. I am really looking forward to seeing what programmes it’s possible for us to collaboratively develop.
But you can become part of the conversation too – whether as a representative of the organisation you work for or on your own account as an individual – Become the Bridge!
