Walk the talk of equality

I’m a 6 foot white Scottish woman and as I pen this article on racism in our schools, I’m conscious I don’t have the lived experience.  Over the past three years though, I’ve listened to those who do, specifically young BAME Scots who bravely shared their experiences and pushed for the much-needed change.

As the investigation report on racist incidents in our schools comes to the Education Committee today (Tuesday 2 March), one thing is certain…we need to walk the talk of equality and actively create an anti-racist culture.

And that begins with sorry.

I want here to send a heartfelt apology to every young person out there who has experienced racism in Edinburgh’s schools.

I want to say sorry to those involved in the investigation, and for how it took this for their voice to be properly heard.

But I also want to say thank you because the power of those voices has led to strengthened work and actions, and to a now serious understanding that we need to walk our talk.

Let’s roll back to when racism was first raised by the inspirational young Ambassadors from Intercultural Youth Scotland, and that first defensive response.  Then, we had shiny show and tell presentations and articles on how well we do equality, and a Harry Potter ‘we do not speak his name’ approach to calling racism…’racism’.

But that small voice led to action, the Black Lives Matter movement gave it momentum, and now the investigation report lays out the actions that are critical to zero tolerance, and to helping our young people feel safe and included.

As Conveners, we are not involved in formal investigations, but in leading the policy change.  And I know that both myself and the Convener, Cllr Perry, want young people to feel increasingly confident about reporting racist incidents as we shape an anti-racist culture of which we can be proud.

So, schools will now create and promote their own improved reporting process, where a young person is supported from beginning to end.  New and energised pupil led equalities groups will shape those procedures and new equality action plans, and be supported by a member of staff, who has been trained as an Equalities Co-ordinator, particularly in how to tackle racist incidents and hate crime.  And professional training and dialogue for all staff will ensure a whole school/Edinburgh approach.

Key to change is young people with lived experience leading it, and this includes the young IYS Ambassadors delivering anti-racist education in our schools.  And so too is reviewing the curriculum to ensure it actively challenges racist and colonialist attitudes.

That’s a strong first step, but how can our commitment to the walk be trusted when all young people see in front of them is a sea of white teachers and youth workers?

Thankfully, action to increase the diversity of the workforce is already underway.  Updates on this and all actions, as well as new and existing best practice, will come to every Education Committee so that progress can be scrutinised by elected members, and most of all, the young people.

For now, pull firmly on those walking boots of change!