Breaking the cycle of revolt, reform, resume, repeat
People around the world are standing up and saying ‘no more’ to systemic racism. And although the chants and placards may sadly seem all too familiar, and although the brutal murder of George Floyd is just one in a centuries-long series of horrific deaths that Black people have faced at the hands of police and those in power, somehow it feels different this time. We’re in the midst of a global pandemic, and people are putting their own health and that of their loved ones at risk to join protests and make their voices heard. I can feel the uprising shaking the foundations, both in the USA, my country of birth, and the UK, the country I call home.
It feels a lot like the momentum behind the #metoo movement that prompted me to say ‘no more’ and take action by starting this website, and to push back against misogyny and harassment in my own life. The personal incidents that led me to draw my line in the sand caused a lot of difficult conversations amongst my social circle, who were suddenly being asked to examine their behaviours in a new light and talk about issues that society had told us should be kept silent, unspoken, and away from the spotlight. It’s (past) time to have those kinds of conversations about race.
There are many parallels between the silent burden that women have been expected to bear and the silent burden that people of color have been expected to bear. I am starting to understand what it must have felt like for all those men who were suddenly exposed to the stories of women in their lives saying #metoo.
I am deeply moved and angered by the stories being shared on the #jonlasterchallenge hashtag - stories of blatant racism, police intimidation, and abuse of power - and by the police encounter stories from Amber Ruffin, just to name a few. I’m seeing so many comments saying the same thing: every Black person has stories like these. And I’m also seeing friends and family saying “I never knew about this”. The parallels with #metoo in this regard are chilling. It’s time to break the silence.
“There’s this unspoken rule that black people are supposed to take it in stride. Can you imagine having someone pull a gun on you and being expected to take it in stride? Now imagine a bunch of incidents like that over one lifetime, multiple that by 43 million African-Americans, and that is why things are like this right now.”
That doesn’t just mean the silence that people of color have had to carry, it means the silence of white people and those in power - who either through will, discomfort, or apathy - don’t call out racism. We will only get the seismic shift of change we need by proactively taking action to be anti-racist, not just passively saying that you support racial equality or sharing a social media post. We need to be accomplices in dismantling white supremacy, not just allies. If you haven’t yet read Willie Jackson II’s brilliant take on why “accomplice” is the right word, then definitely do.
Do sweat the small stuff
While I absolutely, 100% believe that actions like donating to one of the causes listed at the end of this article, attending a protest (in person if you can, or an online one such as those run by The King Centre), lobbying or voting for political change, and supporting Black businesses (see links below) are crucial, I also believe that we need to tackle the smaller and often more imperceptible stuff, too.
Racism is a continuum that has nuanced and subtle elements such as indoctrinated fear and ignorance at one end of the spectrum, and the murder of George Floyd at the other. It’s like a domino effect that starts with a white woman pulling her handbag just a little bit tighter when she sees a Black man walking her way, and ends with Amy Cooper calling the police, knowing full well what that could mean for a Black man in America today. It’s the subtle unspoken racism that my husband’s family member expressed 22 years ago when we moved to Brixton, with coded comments about “safety”, or more recently in a client expressing that Brixton has too many “lively & colorful characters” so she avoids Brixton town centre. It’s in me feeling too confused and uncomfortable about both of these things to say anything at the time. It’s all of the assumptions, pretences, and prejudices that have been knit together to form a background noise in our culture - and all of the times no one said or did anything about them.
“Not tackling racism further up the continuum is what keeps us locked into a constant cycle of revolt, reform, resume, repeat.”
Systemic racism didn’t just suddenly appear; it’s been slowly built up like a stalagmite, drip by drip. So unless we stop those drips, I worry that any change will be temporary, or not as far-reaching as it needs to be. Even if we topple all the racist statues, defund the police, put in place financial reparations or enact sweeping legal & justice reform, those drips will still be seeping through the bedrock of our society. Not tackling racism further up the continuum is what keeps us locked into a constant cycle of revolt, reform, resume, repeat.
We can’t eradicate police brutality and expect it to stick without addressing the unfounded fear, suspicion and vilification of Black people that led us to allow the use of force in the first place.
The same undercurrent of racism that enabled Victorian society to put up statues of slave traders enabled the BBC to greenlight David Walliams to don blackface and Matt Lucas to caricature a Thai woman on national television - and to continue streaming that content across multiple platforms until this week. The tacit acceptance of racism hasn’t changed; only the medium got modernized.
If we’re not overtly complicit in stemming the flow, then we are covertly complicit in letting it run.
Yes, it’s important to amplify Black voices, but it’s equally important to challenge white voices.
And it’s going to take gutsy white people to do that. Racism is not a Black issue, just as sexism is not a women’s issue. We need to stop expecting the oppressed to somehow be able to stop the oppression.
“Disruption isn’t easy or polite.”
I know that these conversations and challenges are not going to be easy. I’m struggling with it myself - in spite of, or perhaps because of, my own mixed race heritage. But this moment isn’t about me. And even though I’ve got a personal stake in the anti-racism game, I’m still learning how to act and react to what’s happening, and how best to support #blacklivesmatter in a way that is respectful and impactful, with longevity beyond this moment. Because we can’t resume “business as usual” once the protests are over… revolt, reform, resume, repeat is not moving us forward.
How to be an accomplice in stopping racism
Many of the non-Black people I have spoken to are feeling uncomfortable right now. We absolutely should be. They are unsure of what they need to do and they are afraid of getting it wrong, so they do nothing. I think that’s pretty much what got us here, so that’s no longer an option. If you get it wrong, learn from it and keep trying. I am not an expert, and I may be getting it wrong right now. I have pulled together this list based on what I’ve come to understand by following and listening to Black voices. I encourage you to do the same, but in the meantime here are some starting points:
1) Understand your privilege
If you’re white (or even light-skinned like me), one of the best places to start is to understand all the small ways you subconsciously benefit from white privilege - I can recommend reading White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack as a starter, and then checking out some of the links & videos below. The Invisible Knapsack is a short PDF that can also be used as a conversation starter if your family or friends haven’t been talking about what’s going on or have avoided talking about race in the past. It can be a real eye-opener.
2) Learn about Black history, culture & racism
Educate yourself - and your friends, family and children. Because at the core of all prejudice is the fear of “otherness”, and the more we understand and share a history, the more we have a shared stake in our collective future. Use some of the resources at the end of this article as a starting point.
3) Consume & share Black media
Now, take a look at your bookshelf, YouTube, Netflix and social media stream. Do all of the people look like you? Stop to think about how the films and shows you watch and the books you read contribute to that subconscious background noise of tacit racism. Are the Black characters fully realised? Do they play a major role? @brandonkgood shares why conscious consumption is important here. Start to add Black voices - some good starters are below. And if you like what you see, say so - tell your friends, family & followers to check it out, too.
4) Support Black causes, artists and businesses on an ongoing basis
Donate to, participate in, march with, buy from, learn from and share the links below. And not just right now. Think about how you can incorporate simple changes or swaps into your regular routine, whether it’s getting a regular takeaway or coffee from a local Black owned restaurant or cafe, to getting a massage, manicure, garden maintenance or car tune up from a Black owned business. Talk to people at your workplace, or if you run your own business, consider ways you can make a lasting impact through a regular donation, sponsorship, partnership or other means. The struggle doesn’t stop once the media stop covering it. Make your own personal reparations a part of your daily life.
5) Speak out & stand up to other white and non-Black people
Yes, this one’s a toughie. No doubt. If you’d like to better equip yourself to be able to call out racism or other types of bigotry in your everyday life, there are some great resources in the FAQs section. We need more active bystanders! Call out racism wherever you see it - in your social circle, workplace, community or public spaces. And write, call, email or @ politicians, educational institutions, organizations and companies to let them know you’re not OK with their racist policies, curricula, actions or media.
6) Use the power of your vote - every single time you can
When people say “I’m not into politics” or “there’s no point in voting” they may as well be saying “whatever you decide to do to people of color is fine by me”. The only way to oust racist politicians and policies is at the ballot box. And that goes for ALL elections, not just the biggies. Your local leadership is just as important as who sits at the top of the tree.
Support
Racial equality and justice charities:
USA
Black Lives Matter - Ways to Donate
The African American Policy Forum
UK
Read
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire by Akala
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad
I’m not linking the book titles because most of the links point to Amazon or other large retailers. Why not try one of these black owned bookstores first?
Learn
Black educational resources:
(also see the bookstores below for lots more)
Shop
Black-owned business directories:
USA
UK
Please feel free to add to this list by leaving a comment - this is just a starting point. There are so many excellent resources, voices, causes and tools out there - please shine a light on them if you can. The list currently has a stronger UK focus because that’s where I live & am more aware of.