“What can we do?”  asked the chair of women4resources, reflecting on the Black Lives Matter protests. One of our black British trustees wrote this in response…..

Dear Neighbours (white people in my proximity), instead of protesting in the streets please sit and reflect upon how you are part of this problem – Racism.

Dear Teacher, you tend to listen more to what white kids report about black kids. When blacks report you ignore. When a black child reports bullying you ignore or punish both kids. Or tell the black child to stay away from the white child yet it’s the white child bullying the black child. You are part of the problem.

Dear Health Visitors, you go to black families to help but at times you come to snoop and exaggerate the issues in black families. You are part of the problem.

Dear Nurses, most of you do not use language line (interpreters) or explain issues properly because you have blocked your mind to think ‘it’s a black difficult woman.’ You are part of the problem.

Dear Insurance Company (car/house), when you see our surnames you give us a high quote compared to a white person on the same policy if it’s a white person name. You are part of the problem.

Dear Manager, you are quick to discipline a black colleague on the same issue you will not point out to a white colleague. You are part of the problem.

Dear White People, it’s not the Government or police in the stadium making monkey chants. It’s you! You don’t call out the people doing it. You are part of the problem.

In school meetings, in the train, in the bus, super markets, parks… it’s you that make racial remarks or acts. So white people, look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are truly willing to fight racism. It starts with your attitudes towards black people. If you hate injustice, then call out or educate the racist amongst you. We are all human beings. We all want to live a peaceful life.

You asked what we can do as W4R. We can start the conversation and ask people around us these questions. How do they behave towards black people? Put simply, they should examine themselves before they start pointing a finger, saying that it’s only up to the policymakers to make changes.