I was going to write about tips for re-establishing work-life balance while working from home, but there is something more pressing on my mind today.
What’s pressing on my mind is what it means to be Black, Asian, from an ethnic minority or a woman of colour in our society.
From my own personal experience, I know how damaging and demoralising it can be to be held to different standards from your white peers.
I know what it is like to be expected to tolerate behaviour that no one else would be subjected to – because you are black.
To have concerns, issues, challenges, aggressions, incivilities you raise - dismissed.
Even worse to be demonised as the cause of all the problems…
troublemaker,
aggressor,
poor communicator,
bully,
threatening.....
after all, how could a black woman be articulate, intelligent, educated, capable, direct, nuanced, skilled, excellent?
Speaking out and standing your ground takes more courage than many of you will ever know. And while standing in that courage and defiance, you will undoubtedly continue to be attacked, vilified, derided and accused.
How dare you say....
NO, this will not do.
NO, I will not stand for this.
NO, this is not the truth.
NO, you will not destroy me, my character, my reputation or everything I stand for.
Well, I dare.
We dare.
WE DARE!
What is clear, especially for anyone who has been in a similar situation, is that it seems that racism and injustice are only so if a white person says it is.
I cannot name the injustice,
share my experience,
highlight what has happened to me (and often witnessed by others) for what it is.
Because what I think is deemed irrelevant.
What I feel is deemed irrelevant.
And it clearly cannot be true.
If it is not deemed by others as such, then it isn’t.
But we are all witnesses.
We have witnessed how Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex has been treated.
We have witnessed the slow creep from innuendo and inference to blatant hostility, bullying, cruelty and lies.
And all because she had the temerity to be beautiful, confident, articulate, talented, educated and not white.
Whether you like her or not, we have all witnessed it,
and yet it is still being denied, defended, deflected and dismissed.
If you know me you know I am black.
If by some miracle you didn't, you know now.
I have always been black and always will be.
And I love being me as much as I hope you love being you.
If you know me you know that I show up as Patricia.
Just Patricia.
My colour is not what I see when I look in the mirror.
I just see me.
If you are reading this blog, you have either worked with me, want to work with me, follow me, bought something I created or are interested in what I have to say.
And I also believe that when you see me, you see Patricia – period.
You may feel today’s blog is confronting, but sometimes life has to be.
But, I also hope it has given you pause for thought, and that you answer my rallying cry.
When you see racism, discrimination on unfair treatment name it and call it out for what it is.
When the people around you try to dismiss racism, discrimination or unfair treatment don’t allow it.
When the people around you try to deny racism, discrimination or unfair treatment when you can clearly see it for what it is,
stand up,
say 'NO'
and don’t allow it!
When others try to deflect the issue as is often the case,
stand up
and say 'NO.
This is what it is. It is racism and I will not stand for it.'
Change is here.
Change is happening.
But it cannot happen without your help.
Don’t remain silent.
Each of us has a part to play, and we can all make the world we all live in a kinder, happier, fairer place FOR EVERYONE.
But we all need to speak up and keep speaking up to do this.
Stand up.
Say No.
Be the change.
I would love to know your thoughts about this blog.
What has been your experience of discrimination and how can you be part of the change?
Leave your comments below, follow me on INSTAGRAM or join the conversation in the Creating the Career and Life Community.
Have a great week.
You can find more resources to support BAME Women and Women of Colour in thriving and excelling in their careers here
© Patricia Ezechie Coaching and Consultancy 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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