INTRODUCTION
This collection of resources looks into the experiences of British people of colour, and the stigmatism they may face.
All resources below have been recommended by AEO, AEV, and ESSA members. If you would like to submit a resource for consideration on What It's Like Being A Person Of Colour In The UK, including articles, videos, books, and/or films, please send it to us by clicking the button below.
This is what it truly means to be a person of colour in Britain today (and it's pretty complicated)
- Ateh Jewel, Glamour
What it truly means to be a person of colour in the UK today is far more complicated than the simply black or white of the days of the KKK or BNP/ National Front.
Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging
- Afua Hirsch
You're British. Your parents are British. Your partner, your children and most of your friends are British. So why do people keep asking where you're from? We are a nation in denial about our imperial past and the racism that plagues our present. Brit(ish) is Afua Hirsch's personal and provocative exploration of how this came to be - and an urgent call for change.
The Good Immigrant
- Nikesh Shuklar
Inspired by discussion around why society appears to deem people of colour as bad immigrants - job stealers, benefit scroungers, undeserving refugees - until, by winning Olympic races or baking good cakes, or being conscientious doctors, they cross over and become good immigrants, editor Nikesh Shukla has compiled a collection of essays that are poignant, challenging, angry, humorous, heartbreaking, polemic, weary and - most importantly - real.
Loud Black Girls: 20 Black Women Writers Ask: What's Next?
- Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene
An important and timely anthology of black British writing, Loud Black Girls features essays from the diverse voices of twenty established and emerging black British writers.
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race
- Reni Eddo-Ledge
In 2014, award-winning journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge wrote about her frustration with the way that discussions of race and racism in Britain were being led by those who weren't affected by it. She posted a piece on her blog, entitled: 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race'.
Black and British: A Forgotten History
- David Olusoga
In this vital re-examination of a shared history, award-winning historian and broadcaster David Olusoga tells the rich and revealing story of the long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa and the Caribbean.
Black and Welsh
- BBC
Film-maker Liana Stewart brings together people from actors and comedians to a model and a Rastafarian beekeeper, to share their stories of what it means to be black and Welsh.
What it's like being black in the Events Industry
- Michael Adeniya
A snippet from an event run by the Virtual Events Institute, of Michael Adeniya sharing his experience of working in the events industry.
Injustice
- Migrant Media
The struggles for justice by the families of people that have died in police custody. In 1969 David Oluwale became the first black person to die in police custody in Britain. Many others have died since then. None of the police officers involved have been convicted of these deaths. In this documentary, the families of these victims ask "Why not?"
Panorama: Let's Talk About Race
- BBC
The killing of George Floyd last year triggered a national conversation about race and racism in Britain. It’s a subject that can be uncomfortable and sometimes divisive, as BBC presenter Naga Munchetty discovers when she travels across the country to understand what race and racism mean in the UK today.
Small Axe. Series 1, Education
- BBC
When 12-year-old Kingsley is transferred to a special-needs school, a group of West Indian women uncover an unofficial segregation policy preventing many black children from receiving the education they deserve.
The Unwanted: The Secret Windrush Files
- BBC
David Olusoga opens secret government files to show how the Windrush scandal and the ‘hostile environment’ for black British immigrants has been 70 years in the making.
Myths and Misconceptions#
- Diversity Ally, The Podcast
“Black women are angry” “Black men are criminals” SPOILER: Stereotypes and myths about race are not just the domain of overt racists. In this episode, Diversity Ally explore the common misconceptions about black, brown and other minority groups. Have you ever thought or expressed openly that East Asian students are inherently better at maths, black people have natural rhythm, or Jews are good with money?
"But You Don't Act Black"
- Diversity Ally, The Podcast
In this episode, Diversity Ally discuss microaggressions, what they are, and their experiences with them.
About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge
- Reni Eddo-Lodge/Renay Rich
From the author behind the bestselling Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race comes a podcast that takes the conversation a step further.Featuring key voices from the last few decades of anti-racist activism, About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge looks at the recent history that lead to the politics of today.
Code Switching
- Diversity Ally, The Podcast
"Code-switching" is the action of changing our behaviours, speech, dress, and mannerisms to conform to a different cultural norm depending on the context. For example, you don't dress or use the same jargon/phrases with colleagues as you do with your family. In this episode, Diversity Ally catch up with David Ogiste founder of Nobody’s Cafe.
Why I am no longer talking to white people about race
- Reni Eddo-Lodge, 5X15
Writer and blogger Reni Eddo-Lodge talks about her acclaimed book Why I Am No Longer Talking to White People About Race. She also hosts the About Race podcast which looks at the recent history that lead to the politics of today and features key voices from the last few decades of anti-racist activism.
