Responding to the UK’s Race Riots

I can’t believe we are here again – four years later and feeling the same feelings of fear, hatred, and vicious violence towards people simply because of the colour of their skin or the faith they follow. Hopefully, we can now be honest with ourselves and recognise the racism that permeates the fabric of British society.

As an organisation dedicated to promoting equality and diversity, I want to begin by expressing our solidarity with the Muslim, refugee and asylum-seeking communities being targeted by the violence of the far-right. I want to thank all the people of Bristol who counter-demonstrated, protecting those being attacked and making the message clear that fascism does not stand in Bristol.

It also feels important to take this opportunity to reflect together on the impact of these events and the fear that is embedded in marginalised communities as a result. Fear that is created when the riots happen. Fear that takes root in the lead-up, and that remains in the aftermath.

There are so many people who will not be leaving their homes out of fear of being targeted. Young people, families, women, gender non-conforming people and men. Soon they will return to work, carrying even more uncertainty about the whereabouts of the white supremacists after the dust has settled. The PTSD of this is long-term.

Amidst these troubled times, please take a moment to think about how you can actively show care and solidarity for vulnerable people in your community.

Ways you can act today:

• Offer a day off for wellbeing
• Encourage working from home
• Let employees go home early to reduce risk
• Pay for taxis/offer lifts/encourage car sharing
• Practically support those affected (give your time, help clean up, donate)

Anti-racism is all-year-round work.

Ongoing ways to put this into practice:

• Leave space to listen to those affected
• Prioritise the mental health of POC colleagues
• Think about what you are saying and sharing online and its potential to trigger/re-traumatise
• Do not feel like this is your time to talk about how you are not racist

This is a distressing time for all of us – both as individuals and committed workers in a sector focused on building community and belonging. It is an especially difficult time for our colleagues and friends from the Global Majority who have been made to feel unsafe in their own communities.

As a Mixed Black Caribbean woman, I have had to step away from the intensity of the pain evoked by these events. Along with any team members who require it, I am taking some time out and calling on those in positions of privilege to reflect, engage and actively work towards meeting the challenge of racism in our society. To do anything else at this point is to perpetuate the problem.