Consequences of dismissing racism
And the effects on the young man who continues to racially abuse my daughter.
The remaining young man – the one who continues to take every opportunity to display the same racist behaviour towards my daughter – lives near us on the same rural estate. We must drive past his home to get to ours. My daughter still lives in continuous fear.
What is the system teaching this boy? He’s now a 16-year-old young man growing up in a society that doesn’t have many black people and has been taught by the inaction of the Children’s Reporter, that it’s ok to treat girls of colour this way. He has no understanding.
At worst, without educating, he’s been encouraged to grow up to be a young man who hates black people and still doesn’t understand his racist beliefs and actions are only manifested from something being wrong inside of him. Then we wonder how we can have young men, like the ones who killed Stephen Lawrence, in our society. At best, this young man can be one of the people who works beside our daughters and sons of colour, or employs them, and the whole belief system continues.
It is my belief that this boy is troubled. His behaviour, not just to my daughter, is out of control. At 16, this is a learned behaviour mixed with someone who is deeply troubled by something. I’ve worked with young people like this, who hurt others, and it is always coming from a place of pain inside of them. I will teach my daughter to understand and accept this as I don’t have any other choice. Who will teach this young man how to understand why he needs to hurt people because of the colour of their skin?
I believe this young man will read what I have written and by doing so, hopefully he hears a different narrative from the beliefs he holds that I don’t think he even understands. It might even plant a seed of doubt that may make him behave differently in the future.
I choose to use my voice for both of these young people – as this is a grave disservice to them both – and for what – to cover institutional racism?
Why are our children still paying the same price as their parents did?
Why this is institutional racism
There were crimes committed on school grounds, police were involved and there was a witness. So why did it not get sent to a hearing by the Children’s Reporter?
Is it to help keep down numbers of reported racist incidents: to stop Scotland from being exposed as being racist? Is this the white-biased program I’ve grown up with?
Me asking myself all of these questions is me trying to make sense of why this hasn’t been dealt with. In light of all the evidence, including a confessional recording from one of the boys involved, it is my experience the crime never gets past this point. We are not seen or heard. I myself have also been subjected to the institutional racism in this country my whole life and recognise the play. Why has the summer of 2020, the public’s outcry at racial injustices from all races and the peaceful demonstrations of Black Lives Matter had no effect on how our justice systems behave?
What astounds and humbles me is the ferocity of your commitment for the young man involved to receive an appropriate response for his own benefit, as well as for Tola’s.
Praying with you.
I agree with Deborah’s comment. You have a big heart, and I imagine it can’t always be easy to ‘hold’ your family, and also those who are going out of their way to hurt your family. And I know that you have really and truly aligned yourself to love, to not get lost in blame, and shame, and guilt. That you hold the vision of healing. And I do too, and I thank you for your courage and inspiration, and intention to do your part to create a kinder, safer, better world for all. I too want to do my part. Thank you. xxx