The Power of Conversations: Exploring Race and Racism with Steph Edusei

Welcome to Black All Year, where meaningful conversations are at the heart of our journey towards understanding race and racism. I’m Steph Edusei, your host, a leader, speaker, coach, and the creator of this podcast. This week, I’m revisiting a powerful episode from May 2022 that remains as relevant as ever. It's a heartfelt dialogue between myself and Risaria Langley, an author, performer, producer, and, most importantly, a dear friend.

Revisiting Vital Conversations on Race

Talking about race and racism is crucial for fostering lasting and meaningful change. Yet, these conversations can be challenging, especially when they cross ethnic lines. To aid these discussions, Professor Ibram X Kendi, a renowned American author and anti-racist activist, created the Anti-Racist Deck. This set of cards is designed to prompt honest and insightful conversations about race, ethnicity, and racism.

In our podcast episode, Risaria and I delve into topics sparked by the Anti-Racist Deck. Neither of us are experts, but we engage in an open, wide-ranging dialogue rooted in mutual respect and safety. This kind of honest conversation is essential for progress, and I hope you find it as enriching as we did.

Breaking Down Barriers: Our Shared Heritage and Differences

Despite our different backgrounds—I'm a Black woman of mixed heritage, and Risaria is a white woman—we share a cultural bond as Geordies from North East England. This shared heritage provided a foundation for our conversation, enabling us to explore our differences and commonalities.

Our discussion began with the question: Why is talking about race important, and why now? For Risaria, the shock of Brexit was a catalyst. She felt disconnected from the nationalistic sentiments that emerged, which led her to reflect more deeply on issues of race and identity. This reflection was amplified by our friendship and the candid conversations we had about our experiences.

Personal Stories of Awareness and Action

We shared personal stories that highlighted our evolving awareness of racism. Risaria recalled a childhood incident where her father tore up a petition aimed at preventing a Black family from moving into their neighbourhood. This act of defiance against racism left a lasting impression on her.

I recounted how Brexit brought a surge in overt racist abuse, something I hadn't experienced in decades. It seemed as though the Brexit vote had legitimised racist attitudes, making it more crucial than ever to speak out. This shared sense of urgency has fuelled my own journey towards becoming more vocal about racism.

The Importance of Safe Spaces for Honest Dialogue

Our conversation underscored the importance of safe spaces for discussing race. The group of women we are part of has provided a supportive environment where I feel comfortable sharing my experiences and perspectives. This safety is crucial, as it allows for open and honest dialogue, which is essential for understanding and addressing racism.

Recognising and Valuing Differences

We also explored the idea of recognising and valuing our differences. While it's tempting to claim colour-blindness, saying "I don't see colour" can be dismissive of an integral part of a person's identity. Our race and ethnicity shape our experiences and perspectives. Acknowledging this helps foster genuine understanding and respect.

Moving Forward with Awareness and Compassion

Our conversation ended with a reflection on the balance between intention and impact. It's vital to recognise when our words or actions unintentionally cause harm and to commit to doing better once we know better. This aligns with the wisdom of Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."

Stay Tuned for Part Two

This episode is just the beginning. There’s much more to our conversation, and I’ll be sharing the continuation in part two next week. I hope you found this discussion thought-provoking and insightful.