Like me, I’m sure you have been affected by the events across the world regarding racism and the black lives matter movement.
But what can we do to make a difference?
This is the question I’ve asked myself most in my thought process over the last few weeks. I've asked this because I've come to understand that every action, every person counts in making a difference.
To find some the answers re ‘what I could do’, I started to listen (instead of talking) and read. There are plenty of books, films, articles for me to educate myself without even knowing what it was I didn’t know. I am using online sources and have begun to look wider than my own usual circle.
I have begun to do the work. If you’re willing to learn more, please be ready for the heat of emotions that overwhelm you. Be ready for your questions to be answered in a way you never thought they would be.
https://linktr.ee/1thatgotawayy (About halfway down there’s a free 30-day course that is worth looking at)
What I am finding out
I think what surprised me the most and made everything more clear too, is the difference between not being a racist and anti-racism. Yes, I'm just a white girl from Peterhead with a successful photography business in Aberdeen, but there are ways I can make a difference. I’m definitely not at all racist, but am I ANTI-racist? I can speak up, and with that I can make a change. I’ve learned a lot in the last few weeks about white privilege, and I want to use that privilege (which unfortunately is there) to be an ally, to listen and to learn.
Very often, I have felt so frightened of being accused as racist so have avoided this topic as much as possible with an excuse – “I don't want to insult anybody, colour doesn't matter to me, we are all humans.“ The thing is, it does matter. I already understand – through reading and listening - that avoiding talking about the differences in life we have due to our skin colour, just because “we don't want to be racist“ is not acceptable. It's like being silent and turning your head away when someone's being bullied.
The common idea among white people is that when you are discussing someone’s religion, culture or skin colour, you are being racist. That’s so wrong. I need to acknowledge the colour before I can see the difficulties that people of colour face BECAUSE of their colour.
“But I live in a white area” - Let's start with some facts:
There are about 5,610 residents of African or Caribbean origin in Aberdeen, according to last census (2011). This is not including all non-white and I believe the new census next year will bring an increase to the percentage, too. The percentage is already higher than in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Imagine a small coastal town in Aberdeenshire, like Rosehearty with its 1300 people. The black community here in Aberdeen is five times bigger than that!
Expect the unexpected
I wondered how I could start making a difference in my own small circle, and I thought about what I already did as far as business was concerned, and that was network. I’m definitely not an ’influencer’ but I’m friends with several business owners across the north-east and I regularly frequent their shops/salons/cafes. I also often mention them on social media. As far as black-owned businesses went, I was clueless and I wondered what I was missing. So, I (somewhat awkwardly) reached out to the very few black-owned businesses I knew of in Aberdeen.......
Well, I’ve been blown away by the reception I’ve been given. I was ready for knock-backs and being ‘put in my place’ and was ready to apologise in every way possible. I wasn't ready for gratitude and recommendations.
I’ve since been introduced to over 30 local black-owned businesses right here in Aberdeen, and that is just the beginning. I have every intention to get to know them. To get to know their businesses. And to listen, to learn and to promote.
Event Planners
www.highercallingflowersevents.com @highercallingflowersevents
www.styleindetail.co.uk @styleindetailuk
https://www.facebook.com/Mamre123/
Cake Makers
@ogeshote
https://www.facebook.com/perezcakes.abz
https://www.facebook.com/Dimbimcakes/
Business
Foodies
https://www.facebook.com/eatablesfc
https://www.facebook.com/tastytscuisine
https://www.facebook.com/fruityimagination
https://www.facebook.com/FHAKITCHEN
https://www.facebook.com/JollofNinja
https://www.facebook.com/Dimbimcakes
https://www.instagram.com/keephealthyad
https://www.facebook.com/SucculentoLtd
@my.kitchen.cuisine
https://www.facebook.com/olykefoods/ @olykefoods.com
Homewares & Crafts & Design
https://www.facebook.com/artroxinabox
https://www.facebook.com/Ripplesprints/
https://www.facebook.com/ourlovelygoods
Fashion
https://www.facebook.com/asawestdesigns/
https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/big_up_the_deen
https://www.facebook.com/truestitches/
Photography
@leyeolumide
Please support these local businesses
It would really make a difference if you and I followed and supported these businesses on social media and beyond.
If you are an organiser and hold events such as exhibitions and fairs, please consider contacting these businesses to ask if they’d like to be part of it.
If you can think of anything else I could and should be doing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
And meantime, I’m going to continue to read, listen and learn. I hope you will join me on my journey.
Nova Reid, Anti-Racism Activist (UK)
www.novareid.com www.instagram.com/novareidofficial
UK anti-racism activists and change-makers
Aja Barber @ajabarber
Nova Reid @novareidofficial
Remi Sade @remi.sade
Stand for Humanity @standforhumanity
The Triple Cripples @tripplecripples
Instagram accounts on raising socially conscious children
Knights Of @_knightsof
Woke Babies @wokebabiesuk
The Conscious Kid @theconsciouskid
Non UK activists and change-makers
Rachel Elizabeth Cargle @rachel.cargle
Layla F Saad @laylafsaad
No White Saviors @nowhitesaviors
Andre Henry @theandrehendry
Speaking of Racism @speakingofracism
Books
WWW.NOVAREID.COM | @NOVAREIDOFFICAL
Related Reading
About Me - Becoming a Burgess of the City of Aberdeen
How to get the most value from your professional family portraits
