BLACK-B R I G H T
“
NEWS
BARRISTER SAYS: “I am a victim of Racism”
...Speak out, Without Losing Out”
WHY DO OUR B L AC K M E N L AC K R E S I L E N C E ? WHY DO BLACK PEOPLE AVOID COUNSELLING? WHAT DOES LOCKDOWN 2 MEAN FOR BLACK BRITAIN?
motivate myself to bring out this issue. There has been quite a lot happening since the last issue – we’ve had both Boris Johnson and Donald Trump claiming to have caught the virus, with remarkable quick recovery, despite their ages, which gives those of us over 60 a reason for optimism.
EDITORIAL
It has been difficult getting this issue off the ground. It seems to be the last thing on my list of things to do, but then someone will write to me and ask me to publish something, which reminds me of the importance of sticking with it. So here I am, producing this issue in the middle of COVID-19 national pandemic lockdown.
I wonder if the lockdown has anything to do with the way I have been feeling recently, because the way we feel on the outside, can be symptomatic of the way we feel on the inside.
As we approach Winter, many of us suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder syndrome (SADs), which is a form of depression that happens during Winter. Symptoms can include a persistent low mood, loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities, irritability, feelings of despair, guilt, worthlessness, feeling lethargic, feeling sleepy during the day, sleeping longer than normal, craving carbohydrates, and more.
SAD has been linked to reduce exposure to sunlight.. so I started to wonder whether I had developed the SADs syndrome, which could be the reason for my lethargy in starting in this issue. I read somewhere that 6% of the population suffer from SADs, so compounded with the lockdown, symptoms could be aggravated. Anyway, I have decided to reject the idea of SADs, recite some positive affirmations and
We have the introduction of tiers which has resulted in geographical and regional lockdowns, which have been met with resistance.
We have been notified of a second national lockdown; which has introduced curfews, leisure, entertainment, personal care and non-essential retail business closing down until 2 December, but this could be extended. 22 year old Markus Rashford received an MBE for speaking out for school children who required food vouchers during the term holidays; Black History Month celebrated on UK TV in a way it has never been celebrated before; we have had a constant raising of awareness of racism and bias through the Black Lives Matter movement and my Blackbright News channel acquired 10,000 subscribers!!! This will be the first edition that my mother will not read because she passed away earlier this year, and maybe it it is even this sad event, which has limited my impetus. My mother loved my magazine, so this and future editions, will be in her honour. I do hope you find this edition, informative and useful. The Editor
I am a Barrister and I am fighting for Equality! “SPEAK OUT WITHOUT LOSING OUT!” I think some members of my profession are racist. There I said it! You maybe reading this and not be surprised at this statement, but as the first Barrister to publicly state this, you may well ask, what took me so long!
I’ve been at the Bar for over 20 years, an immigrant from Jamaica, determined to reach my goals, regardless of my sex or race. However, after all this time, I continue to suffer racism at the hands of my peers, not every day, but enough for me to stop and say, enough is enough. Sometimes the bullying was so bad that I suffered stress related illnesses. I have been told that I had missed out on opportunities because of my colour. I was told to change my hair (I was wearing it in braids at the time) because it looked unprofessional, messy and was not the “right fit” for a member of the Bar….and I’ve lost count of the amount of times I have been asked to leave rooms at Court by other Barristers because I was supposed to be the social worker, the client, or basically anyone else who wasn’t the Barrister. Who did I take my complaint to? No one. When a white solicitor who was leaving the profession told me with tears in her eyes, that she had on more than one occasion been asked to forcefully negotiate my fees down so the white client would be prepared to use me, who did I raise a grievance with? No one.
Why? Because I was fearful. The people who approached me to raise the fact that they thought I was a victim of racism, that they had been party to a conversation that had made them feel uncomfortable or witnessed behaviour that concerned them, they told me they would support me. However I was too scared to report it. I wanted a simple life. I just wanted to be a great Barrister, to forge my dazzling career and to ignore the fact that these things were happening to me. However, as we all know, the problem will remain until you deal with it..and it did, but now I am dealing with it and I want others to know, that no matter who you are or what your profession is, that it is possible to speak out without losing out. We know that there are laws in place to protect us from racism, but that doesn’t stop racism from existing. So how do we rid our society of this scourge? In my opi`nion we have to tackle fear and provide for compulsory education regarding equality and diversity.
We know from the experience of another Barrister, Alexander Wilson1 that Court staff clearly still have a long way to go before recognising that a person of colour can be a Barrister, as opposed to the defendant (the alleged criminal). However, my unfortunate experience has taught me that Barristers also need to hold themselves to account. How could I believe that the Barrister who had thought nothing of treating me less favourably, could then turn around and represent a person of colour to the best of his/her ability? Highly unlikely. It’s true I may have been the first Barrister to go public with my unfortunate experience, but I find it hard to believe that I am the only one to have suffered. The Bar Standards Board published its own research undertaken by YouGov on 12th October 2020. The qualitative work found “bullying, discrimination and harassment remain an issue at the Bar”. The report referenced a “culture of fear” regarding reporting matters, which sadly I have sympathy for, it took me over 20 years to say something fearing the impact on my career and the potential for victimisation. However, I suspect this fear, doesn’t only exist at the Bar, but in many other places of work.
The biggest problem with raising a grievance is that often the behaviour is subtle, micro aggressive and easily dismissed as you being sensitive or taking a comment the wrong way, so that you are left doubting your instincts. There are not many racists I have come across who are happy to identify themselves as such!
I recently wrote to the Bar Council about my experiences and was incredibly impressed at their immediate response to tackle my concerns and address my campaign seeking compulsory equality and diversity training. Yes, that’s right, Barristers don’t have to engage in equality and diversity training like many other professions do.
George Floyd is not the first black man to die at the hands of an arresting officer and whatever you may think of the politics behind the Black Lives Matter movement this year, clearly the world has woken up to the plight of injustice that those of colour still encounter every day. Watching the protests from around the world have forced me to revaluate how I can help others to ensure they do not experience what I have and to ensure that all members of society, who rely on lawyers, receive the very best representation they deserve.
In my opinion, it is fear that has permitted racism’s continued existence. It has moved around us, effortlessly, feeding off our ignorance and knowing it will be unquestioned or if spoken of, go unchallenged by the many because its job is to divide and conquer. I and many of my black colleagues roll our eyes or shrug our shoulders when we encounter that every day throw away racist comment: “Sorry, where are you from”?…”London”….”No, I mean where are you really from”?; “No, I didn’t mean you, you’re alright”…or, “but you do know that George Floyd was a drug addict, don’t you”… ..However, we shouldn’t, where it is safe to do so, we need to speak out.
I was recently asked by a white male, whether he could refer to my hair as ‘afro hair’. When I told him that he could, because that is what it was, he was genuinely shocked. He thanked me and told me that he would have never asked me this question before for FEAR of in-
sulting me. I have encountered a number of white people who have raised the issue of ‘fear to speak out’ with me.
In my opinion making diversity and equality training compulsory for Barristers will force us to confront those fears around race and enable us to have uncomfortable discussions in a safe and informed setting. Barristers are supposed to be the conduits from which justice or the pursuit of such, is sought. Racism is a weaknesses and by supporting the campaign for compulsory equality and diversity training will inevitably make us, as a profession, stronger.
If you believe you are suffering from racism in your workplace then identify someone you can trust, keep a record or diary of the issues that have made you feel uncomfortable and seek advice from a union rep or someone within your professional network before raising a grievance. It may be that you decide to address the problem subtly; for example, by offering to organise a workshop or event. Whatever you decide to do, don’t suffer in silence. *******
Ms Wilson received an apology from The chief executive of HM Courts & Tribunals Service after she was identified as the defendant on three separate occasions in one day.
It is rumoured that black people avoid counselling, and researchers are hypothesising why that might be. As a counsellor, it takes a willingness to make yourself vulnerable to visit a counsellor a quality that black people have an issue with. Black people have been taught to look to God for the answer, and talk to him (pray) to have conflict resolved and hurts forgiven. Church then becomes the counselling officer, and God (through the pastor) their counsellor. However, the church environment, is not always a safe place to disclose. Individuals are encouraged to give a testimony in front of the whole congregation, to relieve them from guilt; to redeem themselves, and then they are “forgiven” through the grace and blood of Jesus, and told to go back to their seats, and the next few weeks, and for a moment they feel unburdened until the testimony becomes the gossip of the churchgoers. Those who pray in the comfort of their homes to an omnipresent God, enjoy the safety of privacy, receiving consolation through the word of God. The intermittent silence forces disclosure, and at the mercy of their own reflec-
tion, they often come to terms with their dilemma. A conversation with God offers no prompts – with a counsellor it does. They are prepared to talk to an invisible God about their issues, but it becomes more difficult when they think about sitting before a human being who can identify them; sense their weakness and observe their emotions. As a result, some black people would rather talk to their friends receiving free (but probably) biased and subjective advice. To compound the situation, black parents of 1950s and beyond were quite secretive. We were warned “not to talk our business”; “No-one knows what you are going through unless you tell them!”, so our troubles were kept to ourselves. To visit a counsellor was like admitting failure, and besides, “What could a stranger do; why would I pour out my heart to a stranger?” Attending counselling is about building trust, which many people have an issue with. They are not sure whether (despite a promise of confidentiality), whether you are going to spread their business around; judge them.
To attend a counsellor, with this background, becomes an embarrassing prospect. Most people want to be a picture of perfection; they don’t want their cracks on public display, plus money can sometimes be an obstacle. It’s not only black people who have this reluctance – in fact, many people who have trust issues; who have been abused, deserted, neglected or otherwise suffered maltreatment. Individuals who have had adverse childhood experiences will not trust adults, and so a counsellor is another adult not to be trusted. Having therapy is very popular in America by all cultures – in fact, it is as common as going to the hairdresser, and individuals talk about it openly to their friends and family. It is only the cost and insurances that hinders some black Americans from taking advantage of the counselling chair. The black experience, doesn’t make it easier to open up. Trust issues are compounded by a cruel history, which is constantly being brought to the fore. Some traumatic experiences need professional intervention, because of the depth of pain and suppression. Disclosing traumatic experiences to friends and relatives could find the listener unable to cope with the information, and it may adversely affect them, especially if they have an empathetic nature. Sometimes, it is a bad experience with a counsellor that discourages people from receiving therapy. Some clients do not realise that their are counsellors who specialise in various dimensions of experiences that affect the client psychologically, emotionally, physically or otherwise. A counsellor who prompts, but does not
speak otherwise, could be perceived as judging; only doing it for the money. The client could feel that they are not getting their money’s worth when a counsellor sits and nods, and is frugal with her or his words. Black people are not used to ‘airing their dirty laundry in public’ which is another reason for their reluctance to receive therapy. It is important for clients to realise that whatever they tell a counsellor is confidential and protected by law. The only time that a counsellor must disclose what a client has told them, is if they intend to put themselves or others at risk. So if you are going through a stressful time, unhappy, anxious, feel lonely, especially during the lockdown, don’t talk yourself out of taking care of your feelings. If you can’t afford a counsellor, call Dark Shades ‘The Reggae Counsellor’ on 07309 853 369 on a Wednesday, when she is live on : www.afribean.conm/bbn/radio between the hours of 7pm and 9pm (GMT. If pride is holding you back from seeking advice, pay attention to your negative self-talk, reject it, and give yourself permission to look after your needs. Accept that you feel vulnerable, weak and possibly flawed, embarrassed or ashamed, and reach out for advice. Many black people have been encouraged to deal with mental and emotional issues on their own, which sometimes results in escapism through drugs, alcohol, gambling, emotional shopping, etc. Lots of people are hesitant to accept therapy, but rest assured, you are not ‘labelled’ when you visit a counsellor. It is not reported to the NHS, or anything like that, it is strictly between the client and the counsellor, and the counsellor
is not expected to share her clients details to any third parties. Therapy does not have been expensive, you can take advantage of free information shows like Dark Shades Counselling, or you can keep a journal, recording your moods and concerns. There are also community centres and charities that offer free or low cost counselling sessions, and maybe ‘group therapy’ might be an option, which tends to work out cheaper. Some counsellors even offer payment plans.
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SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION
SOME CONTACT NUMBERS you may find useful! FEELING SUICIDAL? SAMARITANS 24/7 TEL: 116 123 (FREE)
PAPYRUS HOPELINE UK (UNDER 35s) Tel: 0800 068 4141 weekdays 10a-10p Bank Holiday/weekends 2pm – 10pm SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SADs) MIND – 0208 215 2243 (Non-Urgent: 0300 123 3393 email: info@mind.org.uk) OR Text 86463
SANELINE – 0300 304 7000 4:30 -10P (DAILY) GAY/LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD TEL: 0300 330 0630 10am – 10pm (DAILY) THE MIX (UNDER 25yrs) 0808 808 4994 Sunday – Friday 2pm – 11pm
C.A.L.M (Campaign Against Living Miserably) (IF YOU IDENTIFY AS A MALE) 0800 585 858 5PM – MIDNIGHT every day NIGHTLINE (Students) online only Nightline Website DEBT ISSUES: 0800 138 7777
DOMESTIC ABUSE: 0808 200 0247
Contents Barrister Speaks Out
Are Black People wary of Counselling? How do Black Men build their resilience?
What does the lock- down mean for Brits?
WHY BLACK BOYS LACK RESILIENCE?
A LEARNING RESOURCE
YOUNG BOYS NOT RAISED IN A SAFE, NURTURING AND STABLE ENVIRONMENT PARENTS HAND THEM TO CARERS DIFFERENT PARTNERS/STEP-PARENTS MOVING HOMES/SCHOOLS FRUSTRATION IN THE HOME PARENTS WITH HEALTH ISSUES NO HELP WITH SCHOOL WORK (TEACHERS JOB) NEEDS ARE IGNORED (CRYING/ ATTENTION-SEEKING) CHILD LEARNS – I AM NOT IMPORTANT! NO-ONE CARES ABOUT ME – I AM INSIGNIFICANT! I CAN’T TRUST ANYONE TO BE THERE FOR ME? THERE IS NO-ONE TO HELP ME. CHILD LEARNS TO NAVIGATE IN AN UNSAFE WORLD. TRANSLATES INTO RISKY/CHALLENGING BEHAVIOURS, RELATIONSHIPS AND POOR CHOICES.
FOR EVERY 100 ADULTS IN THE UK, 48 OF THEM HAVE HAD ONE ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE. ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ARE:
LIVING IN CARE CRIMINALLY EXPLOITED/TRAFFICKING NEGLECT COERCIVE BEHAVIOUR/GANG MEMBER ABUSE (EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, DOMESTIC, SEXUAL) UNHEALTHY EATING MENTAL ILL HEALTH IN FAMILY SEPARATION (BEREAVEMENT, DIVORCE, REJECTION, ABANDONMENT)
CRIME IN THE FAMILY/PRISON ADDICTIONS & SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRITICAL ILLNESS YOUNG CARERS PREJUDICE MIGRATION
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUNG MEN ARE REPEATEDLY EXPOSED TO ANY, OR ALL OF THE ABOVE? IT INHIBITS HEALTHY BRAIN FUNCTIONING MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR WHO HELPS THEM WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL? A STRONG, SAFE, NURTURING & SUPPORTIVE UPBRINGING WILL BRING FORTH A COMPASSIONATE ADULT WHO IS RELAXED, RELATIONSHIP ORIENTED, THINKS THINGS THROUGH AND WILL ADAPT TO LIVING PEACEFULLY IN GOOD TIMES. CONVERSELY, A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN NEGLECTED AND IGNORED, WILL BE WIRED FOR SURVIVAL. HE WILL PREPARE FOR A TOUGH LIFE IN AN EVIL WORLD; HE WILL EXPECT BAD OUTCOMES; HE WILL BE VICTIM ORIENTED, EDGY,
HOT-TEMPERED, IMPULSIVE, HYPER-VIGILANT, AN ACADEMIC FAILURE, LOW SELF-ESTEEM, FIND COMMUNICATION DIFFICULT, AND WILL ADAPT TO SURVIVAL IN THE WORST CONDITIONS. WHAT BUILDS RESILIENCE?
STABILITY CONSTANCY OF PARENTAL ROLES SUPPORTIVE PARENTS/FAMILY MEMBERS LIVING IN THE SAME HOME/AREA SAME SCHOOL/FRIENDS FAIR BOUNDARIES FEELINGS OF SAFETY CONSISTENT DISCIPLINE & CLEAR RULES MOTHERS OVERCOMPENSATE FOR LACK OF FATHER FIGURES GIVE INTO BOY CHILDREN (SOFT SPOT) GET AWAY WITH BEING RESPONSIBLE SET LIMITS & RULES
SUPPORT IN EDUCATION HOW EDUCATED ARE PARENTS DO THEY SUPPORT THEIR BOYS?
ARE BOYS LEFT TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES ARE BOYS EMBARRASSED TO ASK FOR HELP?
ARE PARENTS SUPPORTIVE & AFFECTIONATE TO MALE CHILDREN? UNCONDITONAL LOVE (OR THREATENING) TOLD THEY HAVE PURPOSE? ENCOURAGE GOOD COMMUNICATION & SOCIAL SKILLS TEACH COMPASSION AND EMPATHY SHIELD FROM TOXIC SITUATIONS TEACH BOYS HOW TO DEAL WITH AGGRESSIVE SITUATIONS/BULLYING VALIDATE CHILD’S EMOTIONS TEACH BY EXAMPLE (SHOW CHILD YOU ARE NOT AFRAID TO ASK FOR SUPPORT) WHAT DO BOYS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED WEAK BONDS WITH PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS GROW UP LIKE, WHEN THEY BECOME MEN? A MAN WHO HAS NOT HAD A NURTURING UPBRINGING CAN BE: POSSESSIVE/JEALOUSY PRE-OCCUPIED WITH YOU CONTROLLING NEEDY AND DESPERATE SEEK VALIDATION EMOTIONALLY DISTANT NON-COMMITTAL/POLYAMOROUS PLAY GAMES/GHOSTING WARY OF INTIMACY UNHEALTHY SEXUAL HABITS TEND NOT TO HAVE INTERESTS OVER-COMPENSATE DEMANDING STAY PUT – HESITANT TO EXPLORE NO TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY OR ANYONE ELSE/SCEPTICAL NEGATIVE THOUGHTS – THE WORLD IS DANGEROUS UNABLE TO RELY ON ANYONE – REFUSE HELP EVEN WHEN THEY ARE DESPERATE WON’T CONFIDE IN PARTNER PULLS AWAY WHEN THINGS GO WRONG LOVE BOUNDARIES SUPPRESS OUTWARD DISPLAYS OF EMOTION SHOW MIXED SIGNALS – UNSURE HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT YOU UNCLEAR WHAT THEY WANT IN A RELA-
TIONSHIP HAVE DIFFICULT TALKING ABOUT EMOTIONS DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE INTIMACY THAT COMES WITH EXPRESSING FEELINGS STONEWALL – WHEN DISCUSSING RELATIONSHIPS SERIOUSLY MAKE YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE NEEDY THEY’LL TALK ABOUT THEIR EX A LOT (FOCUSSING ON THE GOOD) THEY AVOID TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE THEY WANT TO KEEP THINGS CASUAL WON’T WANT TO MEET FRIENDS/ FAMILY MEMBERS
WE ALL HAVE SOME OF THESE TRAITS – WE NEED TO ADDRESS THEM AND CONFRONT OUR PAST, SO AS PARENTS/ADULTS, WE CAN BUILD RESILIENCE IN OUR YOUNG BLACK MEN. Dark Shades Counselling © 2020
families are left to mourn the loss of their family members indefinitely. As long as we are not kept informed, it leaves the impression that the police do not believe that black lives matter, and until we believe that the police are there to protect and serve us, it is difficult to build trust between the police and the black community. HOW DO WE BUILD TRUST between the police and the black community. Stephen Lawrence – It took 29 years to bring his killers to justice, which translates into “his black life did not matter enough to bring his killers to justice earlier” There was an influx of stabbings last January, yet we have not received any news as to whether the killers were brought to justice? POLICE VIOLENCE Where use of force has been exercised by police, resulting in death or serious injury of a black person, we do not seem to be made privy to the outcome. Maybe the close family are but when we see media coverage about injustice, and we are not informed of the outcome, or follow up, it leaves us wondering if justice has been served. When killings are reported and we are not provided with a follow up, it plants a seed of doubt. Keeping us in the loop, helps build trust. It means the police are still working on it; they still have us in mind; that the Police care about us, and do not want to leave us hanging on. When we are not kept informed, and the police carry on as though nothing happened, it is as though the victims’ lives did not matter, and grieving
A core value in police policy needs to be that black lives do matter. Police need to approach suspects with less aggression and force, but approach with care. Lastly, there have been rumours that new police officers feel intimidated by seasonsed police officers, so even if they witness an injustice, they are reluctant to report it, because they are new to the force. While options to whistle blow are available, sometimes, the whistleblower is told that they may be called upon to make a statement, which could identify them. Whistleblowers could feel uncomfortable reporting, and concerned that they may lack adequate protection, especially if police are renowned for covering for each other. Some police officers suffer a similar victimisation to black people, because “what happens in the police force stays in the police force. How many police officers feel comfortable complaining about police harassment? I sit on the Bedfordshire Police Stop and Search Panel, which is headed by Montell Neuville, and I am pleased to say, that the Bedfordshire are setting a gold standard for trying improving
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community relations
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