I am a person of colour

The evil actions by that US policeman, which has again tainted peace (there seems to be zero learning, actions and behaviour change happening here...) has brought to the fore the incredibly sadly reality of the disgusting face of racism against minority ethnic people.

It's always the minority individuals (White in this instance) who cause the majority of hurt and pain to others (people of colour in this instance) and our peaceful way of life in respectful co-existence with one another. Racism in this instance rather than terrorism, although I would class racism has some connections to terrorism.

The negative actions of the few sadly get the headlines which then takes everything straight back to the root of the pain, inciting anger, grief, worry, fear and uprising, because nothing is changing for the better. It's the same old story.

These low-life individuals end up infiltrating and rotting from the inside the public body of the US police in this case (again). The police of course, (I'd like to think who have recently built up some trust and re-connection with the public as front-line workers trying to keep us safe), are in the line of rage once again. Now, it's not all police, (I'd say the majority of all global police forces are not secretly racist)...

But it is incredibly frustrating that it's happened again.

As a person of colour, my dad who is Sri Lankan and my mum who is Malaysian, my first recollection of being on the receiving end of racism started at primary school in the 80's. I had been sent to see the head teacher for some mischievousness and was sat outside waiting together with two other White boys. They started talking to me, making racist jokes and slitty-eyed gestures because I am Asian/Chinese. At the time I didn't understand it so I joined in and even laughed with them. It took a while for me to realise it was at my expense. I didn't mention this to a teacher or told my parents. I didn't have the right tools at the time to know what to do and that it was wrong.

These boys weren't born racist. It was their immediate environment they grew up in that shaped them to think it was okay to do. That's the sad reality of racism, that people are influenced by others to have their minds shaped and warped into then behaving with prejudice and discrimination against others who don't appear to be the same as them. I blame those boys' adults who brought them up.

My next memory, is a positive one. This time at secondary school. I went to a mixed (by both gender and ethnicity) Catholic school which helped shaped my mind that we all come in different shapes, sizes and colours, just like a pick and mix bag of sweets. My full surname is a long Sri Lankan one. As a kid, you're just trying to fit in and not stand out. I was already a tall lad so that made things a bit tricky. I remember talking to a teacher about the origins of my surname. I felt embarrassed because I didn't like it. It was too long and wasn't Westernised. The teacher said to me that it was exotic, interesting and tells a story and that it was much more interesting than a Smith or a Jones. That moment made me reflect and for me to end up liking my surname and it's origins. It was unique to me. A good memory.

My final memory, is a negative racist one. I was a bit older and wiser(ish). It was at university. I went to stay with a girl I'd met who was studying in York (I was in Leicester). We decided to pop to the local pub and grab something to eat. As we left the pub, a young White man and a White woman called out to me, and then shouted out racist names and expletives at me. I hadn't experienced anything like that since primary school, so it was a shock. It felt horrible and immediately affected my mood. I turned away and ignored them. Sticks and stones and all that jazz. Alice, the girl, noticed I was a bit off, and asked me, what's up? Again, I felt confused and embarrassed to explain it to her. I told her eventually, and she was angry on my behalf and wanted to go back to the pub to speak to those two idiots. Alice was White, and her reaction brightened my mood again. She showed empathy and solidarity. Not everyone is racist.

Thankfully, I'm happy to say I've never experienced racism at work. I'm also lucky enough not to have experienced any other form of racism since that visit to York.

The racist killing of George Floyd and the public reaction afterwards struck a chord with me. It made me feel angry and sad. It made me remember the racist incidents in my life. It made me want to write and share this article.

The majority of us humans are good and not racist. The majority of businesses and the public sector are not racist. The leading by example by CEOs of some businesses and other senior leaders is testament to the fact that the majority of humans are advocates and allies of an inclusive and diverse society. These are good supportive things.

So many people have said and written amazing words of encouragement and support. And this is incredibly important that we are brave enough to speak out. What I'd like to see next is that all these businesses who have put out statements supporting their Black teammates to continue and evolve this conversation they've started so that it doesn't just stop as a one-off reaction.

I'd also welcome these businesses to talk about their other ethnic teammates as well as not forgetting further employee groups whose voice might not be as loud.

For myself, I will work harder to be a better ally for my teammates. Below are some simple tips about being a good ally.

This hopefully is the beginning of the conversation and not the end. And with that conversation I hope real change takes place.

#BlackLivesMatter