Jun 4, 2020
With all the events going on across the world at the moment following the murder of George Floyd, I realised how little comprehension I have had of racism in Britain and so wanted to have an open discussion on the podcast to hear more. There is no denying that this is an absolute atrocity that continues to play out under our noses and I have felt deeply challenged for not taking it more seriously and for not realising the impact it has been having on those I love.
For this episode, I invited my good friend, Ayozie Pollendine and her 2 daughters, Daniella 18 and Kezia 16 to talk with me. Ayozie moved from Nigeria to Britain when she was 15 and until then, had never experienced racism, or not being seen as normal. Hearing Ayozie’s experiences in the UK shocked me, I had no idea of my white privilege until now.
Racism, both conscious and unconscious is going on everywhere. It’s not enough to say be kind, we need to do better at talking about it, at looking under the surface and at educating ourselves. I will never again hold racism at arm’s length. It is relevant to us all, we are responsible together to create change.
“I’ve never seen in all my time in this country, a willingness to address this head on. Such a great number of people are engaging with this issue and willing to speak up and willing to say “I don’t know everything I should know, but I want to know” and it gives me so much hope. I reay do feel that there is something happening, yes for a while it might be ugly – you know when a wound is open and its been there a long time, it is ugly, it’s messy, it’s not tidy, it doesn’t look nice, it doesn’t smell nice, but for that wound to be cleaned out, and to be out in the open so it can heal, takes time. I definitely feel hopeful and I do feel like there is an opportunity for change” AP
"When you look at the way racism is ingrained in institutions, you realise that it is just as much an ugly problem here as it is in the States. It might look different, but it's the same." AP
Suggested books:
How to be an Anti-racist - Ibram X.Kendi
So you want to talk about race - Ijeoma Oluo
Don’t Touch My Hair - Emma Dabiri
Notes of a Native Son - James Baldwin
Dark Days - James Baldwin
Africa’s Tarnished Name - Chinua Achebe
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Renni
Eddo-Lodge
Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie
Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe
Other Links:
Please do come and join us on our Facebook group page and all other links are on my website.
Thank you for listening 😊