It's in the system.....

19 years - it is what it took to see any justice in relation to the unprovoked killing of Stephen Lawrence's. Why? Well because racism is in the system, the DNA of the nation - and it allowed officers to ignore evidence and not investigate fully the unprovoked attack and killing of an innocent young man standing at a bus stop. "It is so deeply woven into society, it is difficult to shine a light on it." Whether it is the practices of the police around the horrific deaths of both Stephen Lawrence, or George Floyd - or the victims of the Windrush scandal - systemic racism is where there are institutional and cultural practices that perpetuate racial inequality.

For me - this is one of the most important thing we can tackle - where racism is built into the way we live, work, socialise, travel, defend justice, educate, employ. And it is often just that - woven into the frameworks of those systems - that it seems "normal practices" are being applied that ultimately undermine the possibilities of an inclusive society. If it was a poison in the water - we would be trying to take it out - often invisible, but still killing us all. But when it is a poison in our systems - and the rules are being followed - it take some great insight to challenge the rules - to change the rules - to make new rules, especially when those rules seem to advantage or give privilege to majority race. What is great about what we see in the response to George Floyds death is an interest from often young, but many people that belong to that majority race standing beside those that are part of the black community and other ethnic communities and saying - no these rules don't work for anyone - they don't work for our black friends and family members and they no longer work for us. But now, almost 2 years on - have we changed enough to break into the systems?

My mentor and I discussed this topic, she coming from a Muslim faith background, attending a Catholic school, and generally feeling that the communities that her family became part of as she (and her mother before her) grew up within the UK supported her - which was great to hear - that as the UK became more diverse there were people out there that wanted to support a diverse community. And whilst that is positive, it also still says that a consciousness that there was a acknowledged difference - and that the systems may or may not support without conscious effort. As a practitioner of change - I often tell people that we start by being unconsciously incompetent and then through awareness and effort - learning new patterns we can eventually become unconsciously competent. But it is those two bottom stages that I think are really important in this dialogue of systemic racism. Consciously Incompetent - I think that was the stage that was right after the George Floyd (and potentially after any national or international crisis) and things like this mutual-mentoring programme and other areas where we are trying to actively change "the rules" - create a consciously competent opportunity. But it is only when the system changes - that we will really create true competence and delivering services and developing a society that is truly inclusive. Until then - I suggest that we have to live with an intention - a conscious intention that changes the game.

It is being conscious about our recruiting practices into the working environment- actively seeking a diverse and inclusive process and talent pool - that doesn't always "follow the rules" that were set to advantage white socio-advantaged applicants. When we do create communities ensuring that we are conscious of the richness in the diversity and explore and celebrate and encourage areas that also come from religious and cultural difference. This brings a wealth to the experiences, but often different from a society that was crafted after a society mostly influenced by Christian patterns and celebrations. It is by being conscious of our intentions that we can change things.