Avoiding Groundhog Day… what we can all continue to do to facilitate change when ‘the next thing’ pushes #blacklivesmatter out of the spotlight again.

16 Jan Avoiding Groundhog Day… what we can all continue to do to facilitate change when ‘the next thing’ pushes #blacklivesmatter out of the spotlight again.

I’m writing this post for my daughter. She’s 2. In 20 years, will she be compelled to march and protest because it still needs to be loudly vocalised that black lives matter too? Will the workplaces that she strives to be a part of have diversity and dignity for all woven into their fabric? UK Government and many organisations have made efforts and commitments to gender equality… will anything even approaching similar be actioned to address the embarrassing lack of highly capable ethnic minorities in positions of seniority? Or will everything be ‘pretty much the same’?

I’ve seen the growing response, reaction and action triggered by the murder of George Floyd both online and in-person… but I‘m also sensing the swing of the pendulum back to the ‘normal’. Back to where we were, where there was little appetite to change the status quo, which, in this moment most non-racist, conscientious folk agree needs addressing.

It’s extraordinary how fast things which are dominating the news one day are quickly pushed out of the spotlight. Brexit absolutely dominated every news outlet and conversation around here for months. Not so much now.

The reality of underlying racism has always been there. Its time at the top of the headlines is coming to an end. If you count yourself as someone who is not racist, and like me wants to do their part in reducing racism for the long term, here’s some things you can do.

• Social media is great but real change happens face to face too. If you are anti-racist, be brave enough to challenge biased and ignorant comments you hear from friends and relatives, attitudes in your workplace and systems within your corporation. You need not do this alone; having actual conversations will shine a light on those who are with you. Have I personally always called out nonsense and casual racism when I’ve heard/witnessed it? No. Am I ashamed of that? Yes. Will I do better, going forward? Hell yes.

• Be open to listening, and the possibility/necessity of change. Whether or not you agree with Edward Colston’s statue being dragged down and thrown into Bristol Harbour, this is a clear example of thousands of voices not being listened to over a long period of time, and decision-makers being resistant to change. The campaign to remove the image of the slave trader from the centre of the multicultural city was ignored for many years. Indeed, an updated plaque detailing how he amassed his wealth was resisted too. Surely history should be there to provide lessons so that we do not repeat the worst of the past. It is not hindsight to suggest that Colston would be better in a museum with an honest plaque detailing his life, as opposed where it was.

• Be aware of your own implicit biases – I saw Avenue Q in the West End some years ago and I recall the song “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist” – it absolutely brought the house down. We all have our implicit biases. Notice them, name them. If you know you have a blind spot in your understanding, these days there’s no excuse not to listen, learn and educate yourself on it. If you care.

• Finally, and for me, most importantly, talk to your kids, nieces and nephews. I’ll quote ‘7 seconds’ by Youssou N’Dour (and Neneh Cherry) because there’s a lyric that’s stayed with me since I heard it many years ago: “And when a child is born into this world/It has no concept/Of the tone of the skin it’s living in”. The biased attitudes and systems we are all talking about are learned. If you want to be a part of making things better, talk to the youngsters who look up to you, and teach them a better way. They are watching and listening.

#blacklivesmatter

By Ayo Williams – Head Coach and Founder at Achieve Your Objective Training + Nutrition

Published on LinkedIn and FaceBook – 11^th June 2020