The last few weeks have reminded us all of the entrenched systemic racism which continues to exist in our society, here in the UK, in the USA, in each and every country across the world.
As a collective voice of voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises in Leicester and Leicestershire, Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) is proud to promote issues that affect our local communities and actively help tackle the root causes of these issues to change people’s lives for the better.
Systemic racism is not solved overnight. It is not solved by a change in legislation. It is not solved by the equality and diversity statements that all our organisations have written. These are building blocks towards that goal, but it is not enough anymore to simply be non-racist. We all must be actively anti-racist in our attitudes, language and above all our actions.
Systemic racism is tackled through education; changing our attitudes by reading more, watching more and listening more. That is why we are sharing below a list of resources and things we can all do individually to help dismantle systemic racism.
Donate to anti-racist charities
An open list of Charites that are anti-racist, support black people and other minorities or are police monitoring organisations has been helpfully put together here.
Support the UK Black Lives Matter movement
UK BLM is a coalition of black activists and organisers across the UK. Stay informed on UK protests and how to stay safe if you choose to join. Donate in support if you can.
Read works by BAME authors
- Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire by Akala
- Don’t Touch my Hair by Emma Dabiri
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad
- White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
- Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch
- The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla and more British BAME writers
- Poet by Salena Godden
- Nightingale Point by Luan Goldie
- The racial healing handbook by Anneliese A Singh
Research and Learn
Do your own research and learn about systemic racism in the UK. Start with the government’s ethnicity facts and figures.
Mireille Cassandra Harper has posted a useful twitter thread on being a true ally.
Read more about how you can show your support to the anti-racist movement in the UK
Campaigning information for VCSE organisations
Charities may desire to campaign on the issue of systemic racism. Before you do so it is important to understand what you can and cannot do under charity law.
Accountability
Finally, Voluntary Action LeicesterShire welcomes being held to account, as all organisations should, by the public, voluntary and community groups as well as movements such as Charity So White. We must always be willing to listen and learn from the communities we are here to support.
Get support from VAL
If you are a charity or community group and you need additional support to deliver services within your community, VAL is here to help.
We can offer advice on issues that affect charities, from fundraising to proper governance and managing volunteers.
You get can in touch via:
helpline@valonline.org.uk
0116 257 5050
