Unity not Hate: how to build compassionate communities and workplaces

I'm tired of hate in my local community and lack of compassion in my working life.

I'm tired of seeing people divided by fear and prejudice.

I'm tired of reading, watching, and hearing stories of people being attacked and discriminated against because of their identity.

I'm tired of living in a world where people don't feel safe and their environment is not respected.

But I'm also hopeful. I believe that we can create a better world, places where everyone feels welcome and valued. A world where the environment isn’t trashed under the banner of wealth-creation, and spaces where our wildlife thrives .

We can also, I believe, build compassionate communities and workplaces where all people can thrive. But it won't be easy. We need to work together to challenge discrimination and build social cohesion. We need to educate ourselves and others about the causes of hate and the impact it has on victims. We need to speak out against injustice and oppression. And we need to support victims of hate and discrimination.

Unity is the glue that holds communities and workplaces together. When people feel connected to each other and to the places where they live and work, they are more likely to thrive and contribute to the common good. However, in recent years, we have seen a rise in identity-based violence, both in communities and in workplaces.

This article is about taking some steps to build unity and to tackle identity-based violence, inspired by my recent participation at a Protection Approaches Community Building workshop. If you ever have the opportunity to attend, I can massively recommend to you, links are below.

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The concept of identity-based violence

Identity-based violence is based on people's race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. It can take many forms, including:

• Physical violence, such as assault, battery, or murder
• Emotional violence, such as threats, intimidation, or harassment
• Psychological violence, such as gaslighting, isolation, or manipulation
• Cultural violence, such as appropriation, erasure, or suppression

Needless to say, any of these can have a devastating impact on victims, their families, and their communities.

According to the Home Office, in the year ending March 2023, there were 145,214 hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales. There has been a steady, massive, increase in these crimes over the past decade, albeit with a drop last year but this thought to be due to changes in recording practice. 70% of these crimes are racially motivated.

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However, less than 20% of hate crime offences result in a suspect being charged or a witness being summonsed to appear in court. Nearly three quarters of cases halt because of difficulties in finding evidence, identifying the suspect, or getting the victim’s support for further action.

Sexist and racist behaviour continues to blight quality of life for victims in the workplace.

And new forms of bullying on account of race, religion, or ethnicity are confronting our young people - one in five children aged between 10 and 15 in England and Wales has experienced at least one form of cyberbullying .

While we are mercifully removed from direct harm, the heart-breaking conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine have exacerbated the problem of identity-based violence in Britain. The images of violence and suffering from these conflicts have triggered trauma and fear among people in Britain, especially those who have come from countries affected by conflict. This has led to increased polarisation and hostility between different groups of people.

Schools have been closed over security fears , and hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim people have soared .

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Why does identity-based violence matter

Identity-based violence matters because it is a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In the community , identity-based violence can take many forms. It can include hate crimes, discrimination, and social exclusion. It can also include violence against women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Such violence can lead to the marginalisation and exclusion, which can have long-lasting effects on people's well-being and quality of life. It can also create a climate of fear and mistrust, which can undermine social cohesion and prevent communities from working together to address common challenges.

In the workplace , identity-based violence can take many forms, including harassment, discrimination, and bullying. It can create a hostile work environment, which can negatively impact the mental health and wellbeing of employees. It can also lead to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism, which can have negative consequences for both workers and employers.

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Why should anyone care

We should all care about identity-based violence because it is a problem that affects all of us. When people are divided by fear and hatred, it makes it more difficult for us to solve common problems and build a better future for everyone.

Identity-based violence can lead to social unrest and instability. When people feel unsafe and marginalised, they are more likely to turn to violence or extremism.

Identity-based violence can undermine economic growth and prospects. Violence and instability are pretty effective blockers of investment and of course make it difficult for businesses to operate. This can lead to job losses and economic hardship for everyone.

Britain prides itself on its tolerance and diversity. When we fail to protect our people from identity-based violence, it makes it more difficult to build relationships with other people, neighbours, organisations, and businesses, be it locally or internationally.

As a society, we believe in equality, respect, and tolerance. Identity-based violence is a direct violation of these values. We all have a moral obligation to stand up against it.

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What can we do to address the problem

We can start by building cohesion in our communities and workplaces. This means creating spaces where people from different backgrounds can come together and learn about each other's cultures and experiences. It also means speaking out against discrimination and violence, and supporting victims of identity-based violence.

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Community Building – a primer

I was hugely inspired and pleased to attend a Community Building workshop delivered by the energetic and experienced team at Protection Approaches in my home city of Southend.

In Southend, we know that there are hundreds of reported incidents of identity-based violence per year and the number of cases is trending upwards. This may in part be due to increasing awareness in the general public of the issue, thanks to events like Hate Crime Awareness Week .

What contributes to identity-based violence in my City? Well, there exists significant inequalities in terms of income and employment opportunities for people from different backgrounds. And the lack of diversity in the population, about 10% of residents identify as non-white, may also lead to ignorance and prejudice.

We can tackle identity-based violence through Community Building, and this is like building a house. It takes time, effort, and is a labour of love. But it's worth it in the end, because a strong community is a place where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued.

The ‘how’ of Community Building is important. Start with some self-awareness and understanding of the local context. It's about being inclusive, particularly of the marginalised, and ‘not reinventing the wheel’ by working with existing initiatives.

Community building works best when we create opportunities for people to connect (by listening and enabling, rather than by solutioneering), foster a sense of shared purpose, celebrate successes, and learn from failures.

The Protection Approaches team explained that you can make positive change in your community by taking some measured steps:

1. Identify the need for change: What is the change you want to affect? What are the root causes of the problem?
2. Understand the context: What is the local context in which the problem exists? What are the social, cultural, and political factors at play?
3. Identify stakeholders: Who are the people and organisations that are affected by the problem? Who has a stake in solving the problem?
4. Develop a plan: What are the steps that you need to take to address the problem? What resources do you need? Who will be responsible for each step?
5. Implement the plan: Put your plan into action. Monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.
6. Evaluate your progress: Are you making progress towards your goals? What is working well? What could be improved?
7. Celebrate your successes: I felt this is a really important step. So important to celebrate successes along the way. This will help all to stay motivated and to keep moving forward.

This is the primer for using Community Building methodology with people and organisations in Southend. We know it will take time and effort, but it is worth it. A Southend built on strong communities will be more resilient to violence and harm, and will provide a supportive environment for residents and families to thrive.

Some practical actions you might take in your community and workplace to help foster unity

Educate yourself and others about the issues:

• Learn about the different forms of identity-based violence and the impact it can have on victims.
• Complete anti-bias and anti-racism training.
• Read books and articles about identity-based violence.
• Watch documentaries and films about the issue.
• Talk to people from different backgrounds about their experiences.

Speak out against discrimination and prejudice:

• Call out identity-based violence when you see it, even if it is uncomfortable. This is easier said than done, but training and guidance is available.
• Challenge stereotypes and assumptions about different groups of people.
• Support victims of identity-based violence to speak out about their experiences.
• Promote inclusive language and practices.
• Advocate for policies that promote equality and inclusion.

Support victims of identity-based violence:

• Believe victims when they tell you about their experiences.
• Offer your support and compassion.
• Help victims to access resources and support services.
• Challenge stigma and shame associated with identity-based violence.
• Advocate for justice for victims.

Advocate for policies that promote equality and inclusion:

• Contact your elected representatives - local Councillors and MP - and demand that they take action to tackle identity-based violence.
• Vote for candidates who are committed to tackling identity-based violence.
• Support organisations that are working to promote equality and inclusion.
• Get involved in campaigns against identity-based violence.

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Hate, division, and injustice are the antithesis of unity.

In our daily lives, we encounter countless opportunities to choose unity. From a simple act of kindness to a courageous stand against injustice, each choice we make can help build more compassionate communities and working environments.

In our communities, we can start by building relationships with people from different backgrounds. We can learn about their experiences and challenges, and find common ground. We can also support organisations that are working to create a more just and equitable society.

At work, we can build unity by being inclusive and respectful of all colleagues. We can also advocate for policies and practices that support work-life balance and wellbeing.

Building compassion and unity in communities and workplaces is not easy. It requires confidence, empathy, and resilience. But it is worth it. When we choose unity, we create communities where everyone feels valued and respected.

What will you do today to build more unity in your local community or workplace?

Views in this article represent the author’s personal opinions only.