The ‘About Race’ podcast

The Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted the systemic racism that forms and maintains inequalities within the UK and beyond. George Floyd and other victims of police brutality tragically remind us of how much we still have to do as a society to fight racism. 

It has prompted myself and other white people to reflect on, and recognise our unconscious assumptions and bias. It can be difficult and uncomfortable to talk about race, but we cannot stay silent in the face of racial injustice. Overcoming racism is a multi-part process, it starts with listening and learning to effectively engage in conversations and actions to promote race equality. I cannot pretend to understand how people of colour who are discriminated against feel. But I can improve my understanding and commit to doing what I can do better to address issues of diversity, equality, inclusion, and justice in relation to race, at a personal level but also within The Barnet Group and my community. 

The voice of Reni Eddo-Lodge has challenged my thinking, and I would like to invite you all to listen to her podcast ‘About Race’, and particularly episode 8; ‘The Anti-Racist Renaissance’. From the author behind the bestselling book ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race’, this podcast takes the conversation a step further. Featuring key voices from the last few decades of anti-racist activism, About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge looks at the recent history that leads to the politics of today. Listen to the full podcast here (it is also available on Spotify). The podcast is around 30 minutes, tune in during your lunch break or daily walk. 

We welcome your responses – please do comment on this blog while you are listening, or afterwards, to discuss it with colleagues. 

We are also hoping to complete a Microsoft Teams discussion about this podcast later this month as part of our interactive BHM activities – if you’d like to join in with this podcast discussion, please contact Camille Yerles and Ayo Menkiti.