Why we must take politics out of racism to have constructive conversations.

Let's be honest: racism has been hijacked. 

What should be respectful conversations about human dignity and fairness have been dragged into the political arena yet again – weaponised by campaigns, amplified by online rhetoric, and turned into a so-called 'culture war'.  When, in my opinion, racism is actually a public health problem.

When racist narratives go mainstream, when they're repeated by politicians, platformed or mocked by media outlets, and shared millions of times on social media, they become normalised.

Using racism as a cornerstone to political campaigning allows these attitudes off the leash, causing trauma across our country. 

Racist behaviour is often rooted in feelings of vulnerability and fear. Treating it as a matter of 'political debate' gives it a legitimacy it doesn't deserve, and allows those who perpetuate it off the hook.

Racist misinformation and fear spreads at speed, communities of colour are targetted, places of worship are attacked. What was relatively hidden for a while has now re-emerged from the shadows. To support it in anyway is genuinely putting lives in danger.

The result? People have become more afraid to challenge racism, let alone talk about in a way that's meaningful.

And that's a problem – especially if you're trying to build resilient teams or communities, or trustworthy stakeholder relationships.

Here's what I know from my work in communications and inclusive public engagement: when racism becomes 'politics', real conversations shut down: people disengage. 

Bridges are burnt. And the people most affected by racism are left to carry the weight of it alone, again.

So what can we actually do about it?

When we strip racism back to what it actually is – a cruelty and a barrier to building thriving communities – we can have the conversations that move us all forward.

Start having courageous conversations about racism right now. Even if you feel fearful, please start somewhere. 

Try to avoid politics all together, replace anger with concern for others, and focus on this mounting public health problem. 

Need help facilitating these conversations with curiosty and heart? Get in touch: hello@elmaglasgowconsulting.com.