Race Equality Week 6–12 February 2023 #ItsEveronesBusiness
1993. It was the year my sister was born. The year I finally had the sibling I had waited 16 years for. But just a month after her birth, all that I had believed about myself was thrown into disarray. I had grown up in an eclectic area of South East London and it wasn’t until a very good friend of mine, David, came to our house after school, as was often in the case with our parents working late. He was distraught and in floods of tears. He explained to me that someone from his school had been murdered. He looked me square in the eyes and said ‘it could have been you.’
To this day, recalling that memory brings a chill to my spine; the hairs on the back of my neck lift and I can again see how genuinely upset and scared my friend was. David is like a brother to me as our mum’s met on the maternity ward at Dulwich Hospital and our families merged in mutual support after his dad passed away unexpectedly. At the time, I hadn’t quite understood what was happening except that a young man, Stephen, had been murdered at a bus stop; for no other reason other than his race.
So why share this story? This was the first time that I truly acknowledged difference. The murder of Stephen Lawrence; the court case; and the public enquiry had a profound impact on how I saw the world, and indeed, how the world saw me.
So what’s changed in the last 30 years? In some respects, very little. People from black and minority ethnic heritage continue to experience the worst prejudice and bias of all of the protected characteristics, as defined within the Equality Act 2010. We see headline after headline about racially motivated abuse or disadvantage and to be completely honest, it is tiring. Exhausting in fact and perhaps I have become somewhat numb. Only this week I have spoken with two different colleagues from black backgrounds who have shared with me that throughout their career, despite how obvious the discrimination, they have had to push through, and past, the (direct and indirect) bias that they face. Something I know I have done throughout my life. Is there any other option?
It is within this context that I share with you the importance of Race Equality Week, an annual UK-wide movement uniting thousands of organisations and individuals to address the barriers to race equality in the workplace. This year it is 6–12 February 2023 and the theme is #ItsEveryonesBusiness because tackling race inequality is everyone’s business. #ActionDrivesChange.
There is a plethora of evidence proving that diverse teams are more successful. If you as an individual, line manager, leader, colleague look around your teams I challenge to you to consider and challenge your understanding and beliefs around race equality. What does it mean for you? How do you contribute to being a catalyst for change.
Do you need to be an expert? No.
Will you make mistakes? Maybe.
Can you make a difference? Yes!
Can you spare five minutes? Take part in the 5-day challenge which includes different five minute activities for you and your colleagues to engage with each day of Race Equality Week. It includes videos, articles, and activities to help your employees reflect and more importantly take action to drive Race Equality.
As Chair of the NHS England London BAME Network, I am committed to listen, advocate and support members to thrive because we each have a part to play in making our organisation a more compassionate and inclusive place to work.
Commitment is not measured by words, it is measured by outcomes and actions.
Karla Parker is Chair of the NHS London BAME Network.
