7 minute read
IT'S UP TO YOU
To mark Black History month Rachel Robinson talks to a physiotherapist about how changing the future is up to us all.
Steve Addingadoo
Joel Goodman
Steve Addingadoo wants Black History month 2022 to change hearts and minds forever.
Gently spoken and humble, Steve says it’s important to celebrate the contribution made by black people in the past and now – but we should step up and stamp out racism all year round.
“Black History Month is a great opportunity to celebrate everything our black colleagues, as the minority, provide in all aspects of society. But we can challenge racism in our daily lives.
“Don’t assume or stereotype. Treat someone as if they were a new neighbour. Go and meet them, find out a bit about them, ask them where they’re from, learn about their culture. Then support them if they need it.”
Steve, 35, is a senior leader within Mersey Care’s mental health service. He describes himself as mixed race.
“My dad is from Mauritius; my mum’s Welsh and I was born in Burnley – it’s a proper mix!“ he says.
Don’t assume or stereotype. Treat someone as if they were a new neighbour – get to know them.
“Since I joined the NHS as a nursing assistant in 2007, I’ve always practiced what I preached. Now, as a senior leader, I feel I can have a greater influence than I’ve ever had, but we need action from whole organisations, not just in pockets from individuals.
He often feels obliged to explain his ethnicity as justification for challenging someone’s views. “I get the feeling they’re thinking ‘you’re not black, what’s it got to do with you’? I want to say, ‘look at my name!”
Steve’s hope has always been for a greater, more honest acknowledgement within workplaces of the challenges being faced by colleagues from ethnic minorities.
So has anything changed at Mersey Care since last Black History month?
“We’ve seen frank and honest conversations and forums among the board, executives and staff, and the creation of the Anti Racism Perfect Care goal. Things have shifted in the right direction, but now the challenge is to set up more systems and processes that are sensitive to when people are not being supported.
“I’d love to see a higher percentage of colleagues from ethnic monitories at all levels and parity with white colleagues. That alone would bring greater understanding of how anti racism can be upheld.”
Joel Goodman
PLAYGROUND TAUNTS STAY WITH ME
Steve has encountered racism throughout his life and says the impact of childhood racist abuse can come back to haunt as an adult in the workplace.
I’d get into fights over racist abuse at primary school. When I was in my final year my older brother became a teacher. He changed his name from Addingadoo to Addington because he thought it would be easier for teaching.
“My mum and dad decided to change my name when I went to high school, but when everyone from your primary school knows, word gets round, and the abuse carried on.
“I changed my name back when I got married, but now, when someone makes fun of my name, or my kids tell me of similar experiences, it takes me right back to that playground and it reminds me – racism is still here.”
“I’ve made it my duty to make a stamp on what I think should be happening – that’s how I’ve always rolled, and I still do now. If we accept that racial abuse happens – even what may seem the smallest of comments – it can become the ‘norm’ to think the person is being oversensitive. When I talk to my colleagues they say, ‘it’s still not ok’. That shouldn’t be happening.
“It’s not enough to be not racist. We need to start being anti racist, to learn to identify and talk openly about it without feeling uncomfortable, to feel able to challenge and act when we see and hear things.
“If it doesn’t sit right say something, do something, don’t just let it happen. Take someone aside and say ‘do you know how that feels? Would you have said it to a white person? If you identify racism, have the courage to talk about it and challenge it, that’s you being anti racist.
“Until we stop thinking ‘it’s not my issue to raise’ we won’t change hearts and minds. It’s within your gift to be anti racist. Let’s do it now.”
How will we know when society has done enough? Steve smiles. “I’d say it will only be enough when we’re not talking about it anymore.”
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Black History Month: blackhistorymonth.org.uk
VALERIE’S LAW HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Campaigners, led by the charity Sistah Space, are calling for the introduction of ‘Valerie’s Law’ which would bring about mandatory training to help police officers and others dealing with victims of domestic violence and abuse to better understand the needs of women of African heritage.
If taken up ‘Valerie’s Law’ – named in memory of Valerie Forde who was murdered by her ex-partner in 2014 – could see what Ngozi Fulani, the Chief Executive of Sistah Space, has described as, “history in the making”.
The campaign attracted an impressive 106,000 signatures to its official petition and triggered a debate in parliament at which Labour MP Abena Oppong-Asare spoke in support of the case for a new law. Reporting on the debate BBC News quotes the MP as saying that “black women did not receive the same level of support as white women due to the way bruises can be masked by dark skin, as well as racism”; and that Government Minister Rachel Maclean ‘stopped short’ of making any training compulsory but did pledge more support for black victims.
- Met police officer to a domestic violence victim.
BBC News goes on to mention that after the debate, Djanomi Headley of Sistah Space, said the group was delighted to have “made history” by getting the campaign for Valerie’s Law heard by government. “There is optimism and room for hope,” she said. “We’ll be able to discuss future plans with the chiefs of policing.”
AFRICAN/CARIBBEAN HERITAGE WOMEN IN UK
86% have either been directly a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse or know a family member who has been assaulted
RACISM AND RACIST HATE CRIME
If you have been the victim of racism, the following organisations may be able to help.
Stop Hate UK: is one of the leading national organisations working to challenge all forms of hate crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. stophateuk.org Call us 0113 293 5100
The National Bullying Helpline: can provide free, confidential help and support if you are being bullied at work, at home, in the community or in education. Call: 0300 323 0169 (9am to 5pm daily) or visit the nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk
NEED HELP?
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you can call the 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247, or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Sistah Space: Get Help sistahspace.org Tel: 0207 846 8350
