🧵🧵🧵
"The very serious function of racism is distraction"
There's no clearer example of these distraction tactics than the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities Report, which alleges they couldn't find any evidence of structural racism faced by racialised groups in the UK
"The very serious function of racism is distraction"
There's no clearer example of these distraction tactics than the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities Report, which alleges they couldn't find any evidence of structural racism faced by racialised groups in the UK
The inquiry's results are not surprising to us.
We are just (perpetually) disappointed.
We want the charity sector taking the lead in rooting out racism in society - especially in responding to this report.
We are just (perpetually) disappointed.
We want the charity sector taking the lead in rooting out racism in society - especially in responding to this report.
Racism is a high-rise house of cards built on the pillars of Ideology, Institutions, Interpersonal, and Internalisation.
There is no neat parcel the many manifestations of racism can be packaged up into, and if there was, there'd still be no recipient willing to sign for it.
There is no neat parcel the many manifestations of racism can be packaged up into, and if there was, there'd still be no recipient willing to sign for it.
Data is not neutral - It's gathered with the biases of the researchers in mind, and what they decide to validate as evidence.
The evidence exists, and has been peer-reviewed and presented *many* times.
Fighting to have the evidence acknowledged is another distraction in itself.
The evidence exists, and has been peer-reviewed and presented *many* times.
Fighting to have the evidence acknowledged is another distraction in itself.
We could also produce a 258pg report evidencing racism in the UK, but that would reinforce 2 issues:
1⃣ The burden of labour falling on the marginalised to ask for humanity from oppressors
2⃣ Being distracted from our core work to present a report that won't be taken seriously
1⃣ The burden of labour falling on the marginalised to ask for humanity from oppressors
2⃣ Being distracted from our core work to present a report that won't be taken seriously
Note: there's an abundance of reports just from the past 12 months outlining racism in the UK social impact sector 🍵🐸
...But these haven't received nearly as much coverage, conversation, or awareness as the CORE report has on its launch day.
...But these haven't received nearly as much coverage, conversation, or awareness as the CORE report has on its launch day.
#CharitySoWhite wouldn't exist if racism didn't exist.
Racism doesn't require evidence to be taken seriously, it requires the powerful to acknowledge its existence, take accountability, and make changes - including power redistribution - to remove the very real systemic barriers
Racism doesn't require evidence to be taken seriously, it requires the powerful to acknowledge its existence, take accountability, and make changes - including power redistribution - to remove the very real systemic barriers
Does the report have any nuance? Critical race theory? No, just historical revisionism.
The explicit focus on interpersonal evidence of racism ignores how ideology, institutions, & internalised beliefs combine to create conditions where racialised bodies are endangered DAILY.
The explicit focus on interpersonal evidence of racism ignores how ideology, institutions, & internalised beliefs combine to create conditions where racialised bodies are endangered DAILY.
Racism, like coronavirus, doesn't simply disappear by saying it doesn't exist. They aren't Santa Claus.
The disingenuous focus on class and family structures ignore that those manifestations are the decorations, while the institutional structure is the Christmas tree itself ✨🎄
The disingenuous focus on class and family structures ignore that those manifestations are the decorations, while the institutional structure is the Christmas tree itself ✨🎄
The charity sector's issues with racism are seen in org structure, community engagement, delivery, staffing, redundancies, pay gaps, & so much more
This report doesn't come close🤏🏾to reflecting the real-life lived experiences of racialised staff, and mustn't be treated as such
This report doesn't come close🤏🏾to reflecting the real-life lived experiences of racialised staff, and mustn't be treated as such
The irony is not lost that it is the CORE report, yet completely ignores the core of the issue.
Unconscious bias training and current sector efforts in equity, diversity, and inclusion are like putting bandaids on somebody with organ failure.
Unconscious bias training and current sector efforts in equity, diversity, and inclusion are like putting bandaids on somebody with organ failure.
It is especially chilling that the report has been released while Derek Chauvin is on trial, as many UK organisations shared statements after George Floyd's murder.
Months later they've still made no internal reflections, outlined any actions, or improved culture for POC staff.
Months later they've still made no internal reflections, outlined any actions, or improved culture for POC staff.
Organisations must NOT use this report as a way to dismiss racism, and to continue business as usual.
Change 👏🏾 comes 👏🏾 from 👏🏾 action 👏🏾
📢 SAY IT BACK 📢
Change 👏🏾 comes 👏🏾 from 👏🏾 action 👏🏾
📢 SAY IT BACK 📢
Ok, but what CAN organisations do in light of the report?
✅Independent, critical equity audits
✅Commitments to audit recommendations
✅Develop and embed anti-racist policy/practice
✅CENTER VOICES OF COLOUR
✅Independent, critical equity audits
✅Commitments to audit recommendations
✅Develop and embed anti-racist policy/practice
✅CENTER VOICES OF COLOUR
A crucial part of "listening and learning" is empowering voices of colour to speak and be heard.
Center *both* the racialised staff AND communities you work with, asking what you can do better, then doing it.
There is no such thing as the voiceless.
Center *both* the racialised staff AND communities you work with, asking what you can do better, then doing it.
There is no such thing as the voiceless.
Oh, and as for the self-anointing of being an example of good racial equity?
Every country in the world - except for the 22 that the UK didn't try to invade - would like a word.
Every country in the world - except for the 22 that the UK didn't try to invade - would like a word.
The Three Colourblind Mice of Racism:
Denial
Deflection
Distraction
🧵🧵🧵
Denial
Deflection
Distraction
https://twitter.com/priyamvadagopal/status/1377181616750006280?s=21
🧵🧵🧵
Things not to do:
❌ Play their games
❌ Touch Emma Dabiri's hair
❌ Play their games
❌ Touch Emma Dabiri's hair
https://twitter.com/EmmaDabiri/status/1377512305966120962
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
