Reflections on learning from Anti-racism reading group when answering the question ' What have you learned from being a part of the Anti-Racism book group?' by a participant of the group. 

OK, so, uh, Lucy, what has been your learning as part of the anti racism reading group? I'm just gonna go. And I was initially introduced to the reading group and in, um and that in the event and the council and and within that, one of the events, um, was kind of hm. And but what I was really interested in the reading group was that rather than kind of just focus in on so that it was a long term thing, and not just like a long term event, but it was professionals. I think a lot of a lot of the events that they have, um, obviously like, um, and I think it's really useful in that way

And not only does it a kind of network as people who are like minded and are an organisation that that is in school, and I mean, it is like, um and I think it it It's just a really fantastic way of being able to find people and kind of as a network where you feel like you both talk about issues and it it's I think we said at the start, um and you know, as a white person. I feel like, um, a lot of people kind of feel a bit wary when they're talking about race, and I don't when I get whereas I think we we kind of had an going through and objective and just kind of having a discussion about what we learn. I think a lot of people want to reflect that

And I think it kind of, you know, we all that we know we not we not and represent that ourselves. But we can still take an active and I and not just local band kind of internally with our family and friends. And I think so from the meeting group, one of the one of the most important things that I kind of the confidence to know that there's other people that are, um, and them on a more normal level, not normal and and, um, following all matter protest and last

There's a lot of kind of, um, you know, that you can do whereas this level and it it's showing that you can do, you know, miniscule like smaller um, as well as doing the kind of over protest, because I think especially after the protest last year, a lot of people thought, Oh, well, that's over. I I don't need to now, whereas this I'm not saying that the reading group is, you know it's gonna be able to address them, but it it's a step in the right direction. I think, um, like I said, it builds a good network

It also allows a lot of discussion about things that you wouldn't have considered before. So, like a lot of people don't really have the time to say, Oh, I'm gonna book an hour just to research about racism and and educate myself a white person on that and especially with with facts and information about racism in the UK, I feel like a lot of a lot of information that we see on social media. Um, is quite U

And that's what I've kind of another aspect of Marina group my family in and in the UK and specifically from Rene's book and talk about Um and then obviously we mentioned that it's quite academic, but it does give like a really long in about the history of racism in in the UK, including kind of, um, racism. Like I I didn't even know that they were kind of in in the Civil War, and it kind of opens your eyes. And I think a lot of people justify kind of micro micro aggressions and, um, people of colour in in the UK and say, Oh, it's not as bad as America It's not on the and we we and there's no issues it you you kind of understand that there is

You know, there's a long history of in the UK and it still exists today and especially kind of considering, Um, in many books, you talk a lot about as well, and you kind of think, Oh, well, it's not South America. Um and you actually realise No, there is. You know, there's inherent issues in the, um they have, um and then it kind of spurs you on to do other like reading and educate yourself and get interested in understanding the issues in the UK

So once we had the first reading group, I think they shared some readings and and make sure you eat. And then that kind of encouraged other people to go outside of their usual time. And I know a lot of people might be put off in the reading group and on the lunch time and work, and but that provides a lot of support for people time

It still it. It shows that it it, you know, it can continue. And it's still long term

Um, like I think I think I think it's just really, really useful for me as someone who wants this part of being an ally and want to be to be able to kind of keep on top of it really strong, especially as a professional professional as well. Whenever I say, Oh, well, I I don't have time to kind of research that not to my work. And it makes me realise Well, it is relevant to everyone you know, no matter what job you have, you you should be educated in that to be able to support, you know, people of colour in your in your actual role

Absolutely. No. Um, thank you

That's that's great. Um.

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