What a way to kick off our ReStructure event series -our wonderful panelists were joined online by people from across the globe - from Kansas to Iraq - reflecting a global appetite to take action against racism, by recognising and critiquing white privilege from the outset. Though attendees tuned in to listen to our panelists, the messenger chat alongside the call was buzzing with activity - support for the panelists (YAS!), people sharing their own experiences and opinions.
We're going to pull a few quotes and share the pre- and post-homework below, but attendee Anastasia Ashman's thread on the event is really fantastic - and to top it off, our panelist Shefaly Yogendra made a thread of her thread (a #meta thread!) and we recommend you check them out.
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Our Agenda: since day 1, Ada's List has worked towards intersectional feminism. We've always been about challenging racist power structures and that's why we convened this event. 👇👇
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I think it needs to be said - again and again - that if your organisation is looking to make a change, it needs to invest in it. Casually asking a Black employee to look at your HR policy when they aren't in HR isn't an appropriate ask. This isn't CSR, it's not a charity - these are individuals' livelihoods and careers on the line. Invest in them, invest in your team.
There are no more excuses for not learning and searching for more ways to become a better anti-racist. Here's what we sent out to our attendees:
BLM in the Boardroom by panelist Shefaly Yogendra: https://shefaly-yogendra.com/2020/06/15/blm-in-the-boardroom/
For those who haven't read the book, Reni Eddo-Lodge's original blog post about why she's no longer talking to white people about race: http://renieddolodge.co.uk/why-im-no-longer-talking-to-white-people-about-race/
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh "I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group"
Podcast: "I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness" the brilliant Austin Channing Brown in conversation with Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-austin-channing-brown-on-im-still-here-black-dignity-in-a-world-made-for-whiteness/#:~:text=Austin%20Channing%20Brown,web%20series%20The%20Next%20Question. (also available on spotify)
And here' what came up during the session:
Khaleela suggested Layla Saad's work on centering (and all of her antiracist work!).
Naomi Jane suggested Monzo's D&I benchmark for organisationss to aim for in terms of transparency: https://monzo.com/blog/our-2020-diversity-and-inclusion-report
Rachel Cargle is a phenomenal anti-racist educator and she focuses on Black womxn's liberation. She offers a FREE 30 day anti-racism syllabus called #DoTheWork which people can sign up to via her Instagram account bio: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.cargle/
Rachel also curates an ongoing paid-for anti-racism syllabus via her Patreon account: The Great Unlearn Community: https://www.patreon.com/thegreatunlearn
And check out, follow, and listen to Esi Hardy - a phenomenal Black disabled woman who runs Celebrating Disability https://www.celebratingdisability.co.uk/
Our panelists' words left a lasting impression on attendees and many left with actions they shared in the chat and on twitter using the #antiracistadas hashtag.
And, to top it all off, we raised a lot of money for 3 Black-led organisations. Thank you to our panelists who donated their time and to all of our attendees from all over the world.
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