How do we build a more just, equitable and inclusive society from here?

Poku Osei -?5th June 2020

As a father, person of colour and a leader of an organisation that works with many young people of colour, it has not been a surprise to see the deep outrage across the globe in recent weeks. The impact of seeing someone who looks like you being slowly murdered for nearly 9 minutes on film was harrowing. Especially if you have experiences of being treated as less than a human, as I have at times.

I would, therefore, like to send a personal message regarding the recent incidents of racism and brutality that have affected us all, and some of the things we can all do to help build a just, equitable and inclusive society.

First, to all people of colour?– The brutalisation of black people is one that conjures a mixed emotion of helplessness, rage and distress, but it's on us to take care of our emotional health first and foremost. If you have been negatively impacted, I encourage you to speak to a trusted friend or family member; do a therapeutic activity or find a quiet moment to reflect on how you feel. For those of us with kids around, it's particularly important to emotionally self-regulate, if we are to safeguard them from vicarious trauma.

To young people of colour, I want you to know that your anger is valid, but do not let it suffocate your determination, hope and aspiration. If you want to talk or explore how to channel your frustration and energy into helping to create a positive change, know that Babbasa is there to listen and support you too. Make contact with Babbasa?here.

With that being said, I believe every person of colour has to act. A more dignified life cannot be left to the peril of society. As Dr King said, 'power will not be delivered in neat packages'. Any group seeking it needs to be deliberate in how they plan, organise and campaign for it. So the question I put to you is - what are you personally doing to ensure all people of colour have a more dignified social life; significant political voice and the deserved economic prosperity, going forward? See the link below for what could be your next steps if needed.

Second, to the government and civic institutions?– It would be shortsighted to think of the case of George Floyd or Christian Cooper, as just another 'unfortunate American episode'. Sadly it isn't. Brutalisation is only a symptom of a much bigger disease – racism - an experience that almost all people of colour would know about first hand in the UK too.

I, therefore, urge the management and leadership of civic institutions, big or small, not to divorce themselves from the visceral human stories of George, Christian and countless others. But rather use this time as a moment to reflect on your everyday decisions i.e. a) on whether they reinforce existing institutional norms that we know marginalise people of colour in politics, education and meaningful civic participation or b) whether you try daily to counter the toxic institutional protocols or peers who fuel racism, consciously or unconsciously, through persistent negative stereotypes.

You have the power to reassert that enough is enough. You have the power to propose a motion or convene a meeting about how your department or institution needs to develop a long-term plan to address systemic racism. You have a responsibility to re-evaluate your trained attitudes, as an individual, to help create a more just, equitable and inclusive society for all.

Third, to employers and investors?– We cannot jump out of the frying pan of this pandemic and into a regressive fire of racial inequality and social immobility. We risk social unrest and rioting become a feature of our cities that further disrupts business and society. We must integrate the solutions to both crises into a coherent response in the way that we recruit, invest and protect.

As leaders, we need to walk the talk and spearhead much more meaningful changes at the workplace that allow talent from minority backgrounds to thrive and prosper. We need to accept that focusing exclusively on a performative business case for racial diversity is no longer an option. It's on all of us to better understand the impact of racism, revamp out-dated diversity programmes, and promote equal opportunity at every stage.

Finally, to all citizens, particularly my well-meaning white peers?– the effects of racism on the emotional and mental health of people of colour are real. This is irrespective of whether your black and brown friends choose to understand it, acknowledge it or talk to you about it. The cumulative traumatic impact of every discriminatory experience, bias at work, negative media portrayal, and stories of hate crime on people of colour is one that neuroscientists and psychologists have identified to be no different from the PTSD experienced by a soldier returning from war. In other words, your capacity to be kind, to listen, to understand and to act cannot be understated in these difficult times.

For now, recognise that you have the power as an individual to write to your employer, local councillor, public safety authorities, your alma mater, GP and any institution that you are connected to, to demand evidence of how they are addressing racial inequality. You have the power to engage initiatives focused on equal opportunities to find out how you can be of direct help. You have the power to have difficult conversations with your family and friends about the role you can individually play to reduce the suffering of people of colour.

Similarly to how we show solidarity in other human and animal rights campaigns (gay rights, gender rights, terrorist attacks etc) – know that you have the power to use your digital platforms to send a heartfelt signal too - to your networks, about the need for zero tolerance to racism or any form of discrimination. None of us can afford to do nothing. As Luvvie Ajayi said, "all comfort has done is maintain the status quo. So we've got to get comfortable with being uncomfortable by speaking these hard truths when they are necessary".

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Anti-racist education resources: books, films, podcasts, articles and social media handles:?https://padlet.com/babbasahub/antiracism. Thanks to Urfan Ali, Jenny, Rebecca and the Babbasa team for helping to curate the resource list. You can add any useful resource that you are aware of to the padlet using the link above.

Author's Profile:?Poku is the founder and CEO of Babbasa – an award-winning social mobility enterprise, which supports businesses with inclusion and underrepresented young people to pursue their ambitions. He is also the co-founder of The Black Professionals Network and sits on various boards including UWE's Business & Management Advisory Board and University of Bristol Courts. Poku holds a BSc in Psychology, MSc in Business Management from UWE and Strategic Planning & Foresight Certificate from Oxford University.