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DEI HUB: What's it like to be a person of colour in the UK?

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Introduction

This collection of resources looks into the experiences of British people of colour, and the stigmatism they may face.

All resources below have been recommended by AEO, AEV, and ESSA members. If you would like to submit a resource for consideration on What It's Like Being A Person Of Colour In The UK, including articles, videos, books, and/or films, please send it to us by clicking the button below.

Submit a resource here

Articles

This is what it truly means to be a person of colour in Britain today (and it's pretty complicated)

Ateh Jewel, Glamour

What it truly means to be a person of colour in the UK today is far more complicated than the simply black or white of the days of the KKK or BNP/ National Front.

read it here

Books

Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging

Afua Hirsch

You're British. Your parents are British. Your partner, your children and most of your friends are British. So why do people keep asking where you're from? We are a nation in denial about our imperial past and the racism that plagues our present. Brit(ish) is Afua Hirsch's personal and provocative exploration of how this came to be - and an urgent call for change. 

Buy it here

The Good Immigrant

Nikesh Shuklar

Inspired by discussion around why society appears to deem people of colour as bad immigrants - job stealers, benefit scroungers, undeserving refugees - until, by winning Olympic races or baking good cakes, or being conscientious doctors, they cross over and become good immigrants, editor Nikesh Shukla has compiled a collection of essays that are poignant, challenging, angry, humorous, heartbreaking, polemic, weary and - most importantly - real.

Buy it here

Loud Black Girls: 20 Black Women Writers Ask: What's Next?

Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene 

An important and timely anthology of black British writing, Loud Black Girls features essays from the diverse voices of twenty established and emerging black British writers.

Buy it here

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race

Reni Eddo-Ledge

In 2014, award-winning journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge wrote about her frustration with the way that discussions of race and racism in Britain were being led by those who weren't affected by it. She posted a piece on her blog, entitled: 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race'.

Buy it here

Black and British: A Forgotten History

David Olusoga

In this vital re-examination of a shared history, award-winning historian and broadcaster David Olusoga tells the rich and revealing story of the long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa and the Caribbean. 

Buy it here

Media

Black and Welsh

BBC

Film-maker Liana Stewart brings together people from actors and comedians to a model and a Rastafarian beekeeper, to share their stories of what it means to be black and Welsh. 

watch it here

Interviewing Ashanti Bentil-Dhue on Diversity & Inclusion in Event Industry

Planners on Purpose

Let's catch up with brilliant woman, Ashanti Bentil-Dhue, co-founder of Black in Events and Diversity Mind, and Founder & Director of EventMind. Ashanti takes us through the importance of having an inclusive workplace in the events industry.

Watch it here

Injustice

Migrant Media

The struggles for justice by the families of people that have died in police custody.

In 1969 David Oluwale became the first black person to die in police custody in Britain. Many others have died since then. None of the police officers involved have been convicted of these deaths. In this documentary, the families of these victims ask "Why not?"

Watch it here

Small Axe. Series 1, Education

BBC

When 12-year-old Kingsley is transferred to a special-needs school, a group of West Indian women uncover an unofficial segregation policy preventing many black children from receiving the education they deserve.

Watch it here

Podcasts 

Myths and Misconceptions

Diversity Alliance Talks, The Podcast

“Black women are angry” “Black men are criminals” SPOILER: Stereotypes and myths about race are not just the domain of overt racists. In this episode, Diversity Ally explore the common misconceptions about black, brown and other minority groups. Have you ever thought or expressed openly that East Asian students are inherently better at maths, black people have natural rhythm, or Jews are good with money? 

Listen here

"But You Don't Act Black"

Diversity Alliance Talks, The Podcast

In this episode, Diversity Ally discuss microaggressions, what they are, and their experiences with them.

Listen here

About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge

Reni Eddo-Lodge/Renay Rich

From the author behind the bestselling Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race comes a podcast that 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 lead to the politics of today.

Listen here

Code Switching

Diversity Alliance Talks, The Podcast

"Code-switching" is the action of changing our behaviours, speech, dress, and mannerisms to conform to a different cultural norm depending on the context. For example, you don't dress or use the same jargon/phrases with colleagues as you do with your family. In this episode, Diversity Ally catch up with David Ogiste founder of Nobody’s Cafe.

Listen here

Why I am no longer talking to white people about race

Reni Eddo-Lodge, 5X15

Writer and blogger Reni Eddo-Lodge talks about her acclaimed book Why I Am No Longer Talking to White People About Race. She also hosts the About Race podcast which looks at the recent history that lead to the politics of today and features key voices from the last few decades of anti-racist activism.

Listen here