“Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes” (source unknown).
So much of my work is about voice, from singing and performing, to having the confidence to speak up for self and others, and speaking your truth to power. This is a moment in time when the power of collective voice is being felt around the world.
It has been a momentous and traumatic few weeks. At a time when so many people continue to deal with the effects of a pandemic, it seems that each passing hour now brings news of more racism, police brutality and denial of human rights. These are by no means new issues, but we are living through a historic moment of heightening tension and resistance that I hope will be the catalyst for lasting change.
I hold the privilege of living a life free from fear of racist violence, abuse and discrimination. I am acutely aware of how the pain and anger I experience as I watch from a distance is a fraction of what I’d be feeling if the violence and oppression being brought sharply into focus was being aimed at ‘people like me’. I can choose to switch off, step back and spend time considering how to be a good ally. When there are structures in place that have systematically oppressed a group that you are part of, switching off may not seem like a possibility.
Being in some version of lockdown at a significant political moment like this gives those of us with white privilege the gift of time to learn, think, support and recharge. The ‘recharge’ element of supporting social change is important because we are in this for the long haul. There will be backlash. There will be steps forward and back. It will require courage to keep pressing forward, raising our voices and demanding change. It will take an enormous amount of energy, though the more we share the load, the less draining it stands to be. Those of us who are not directly affected by a particular form of inequality can help by taking some of the load of challenging, sharing/amplifying and putting pressure on those in power, in order to let the people who are directly dealing with this trauma rest. I feel it’s crucial that we don’t turn away from the discomfort... even though growing can really hurt and so much of what we’re seeing is horrific to watch, it must be acknowledged. But to keep that stamina up and look after our mental health, we all need to take time to recharge. We all deserve support and good health. And the struggle needs us to be in good health and good voice. For me, recharging means taking breaks from social media, news, protests and petitions to do things that energise or soothe me - from singing or breathing to taking baths and watching escapist series. It also means connecting with like-minded people, in order to feel sane, seen and heard. It involves being gentle with myself if I’ve ‘got it wrong’, while still committing to do better.
I’d also like to acknowledge that it’s Pride month. The struggles against racism and homophobia/biphobia/transphobia are inextricably linked. In the U.K, transgender people are facing very vocal discrimination, and their existence is being denied by those with positions of huge power. Again, I have privilege here as a cisgender, queer woman. I believe it was a cynical move for JK Rowling to take space away from the demands for an end to oppression by speaking out against another marginalised group (many of whom are doubly discriminated against due to ethnicity and trans identity). Much of my work over the years has been about supporting transgender young people to feel accepted, able to speak up and be seen. These are basic human needs and I will stand up against anything that threatens them in any way I can.
I am aware of how many words I have used here – partly as a way to process my own feelings and partly because there is so much to discuss. I want to avoid taking any more space away from people whose voices need to be amplified louder than mine. In the end, it comes down to a plea for us to educate ourselves, be courageous enough to speak out against injustice even if our voices shake, and to stay safe and well.
Resources and ways to support:
Ways to support BLM https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/
Ways to support BLM UK https://blmuk.carrd.co/
Free therapy for Black people https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/
Opinion piece on black trans rights https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/when-black-lives-matter-black-trans-people-must-be-freed-ncna1228316
Round up of BLM reading, resources & Black owned businesses https://thefword.org.uk/2020/06/the-f-words-suggested-list-of-blm-reading-and-resources/
Charity for trans children & young people https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/
LGBT campaigning charity https://www.stonewall.org.uk/