April's Theme: Microaggressions |
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Every month, this newsletter aims to provide help on how to be a better antiracist. This month, I'd love to share a post about microaggressions; those constant, demeaning and devaluing comments or actions that are made to People of Colour that really illustrate people's ignorance, biases or bigotry. I have also shared a post on my thoughts about the Race and Ethnic Disparities Report that was recently released. You know, the one that claims that Britain isn't actually that racist? Yeah... I have some thoughts on that. Finally I share my thoughts about this month's amazing book, Black, Listed, by Jeffrey Boakye. Read on to get this month's recommendations and to learn about next month's BSW theme and book club book. And please, as always, let me know if you have any thoughts, ideas, comments or questions. The louder we all are, the better. |
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Choose one of this month's blog posts |
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Quote of the month - Ibram X. Kendi (2019) “I do not use “microaggression” anymore. I detest the post-racial platform that supported its sudden popularity. I detest its component parts—“micro” and “aggression.” A persistent daily low hum of racist abuse is not minor. I use the term “abuse” because aggression is not as exacting a term. Abuse accurately describes the action and its effects on people: distress, anger, worry, depression, anxiety, pain, fatigue, and suicide.” |
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Recommendations Each month, I share three new resources. This month, all of my recommendations refer in some way to microaggressions. |
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OK, this was last month's book club book but there were so many brilliant anecdotes about the black experience with respect to school, university, health and work. The more we read about and listen to the lived experiences of People of Colour, the better we can modify our behaviour for the better. Review of this book here. |
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BBC Radio 4 made a collection of short videos about race and racism and this one provides an introduction to microaggressions in the work place. The acting may be somewhat questionable but it exposes some common issues experienced by People of Colour. |
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I have had unconscious bias training at work and it should really be provided for by all institutions as an attempt to remedy the problem of people making judgements without thinking about them. If we delve deeply into our biases, we can better understand them and improve our actions and relationships. This book, Blindspot by Mahzarin R. Banaji. is a great way of exposing your dangerous stereotyping. |
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Next Month's Theme: Science |
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BWS Book Club Choice for March |
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Every month I will share a suggested book with you and then, at the end of the month, I'll share my review and ask for your thoughts. Simple! Do follow BWS on Instagram for more details. I will also publish the full review on my website, too. Where did the idea of race come from, and what does it mean? In an age of identity politics, DNA ancestry testing and the rise of the far-right, a belief in biological differences between populations is experiencing a resurgence. The truth is: race is a social construct. Our problem is we find this hard to believe. I do hope you'll join me. |
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