Ravi Arora, Director of local charity Multicultural Richmond recalls his experiences as a British Asian growing up in South West London, and says now is the time to tackle racism in Britain, once and for all
In the 1970s, racism was very public, especially at school. I was called a ‘paki’ and a ‘wog’, I was bullied, threatened and hit violently on a daily basis, and I was not alone. My friends also suffered this violence and we had no way out. Our parents told us not to react but report it to our school heads. This made no difference – we were still attacked, threatened and bullied.
I remember one particular meeting we had with our stuffy, grey-haired, pipe-smoking headmaster to discuss a recent spate of attacks.
‘What can I do for you boys?’ he asked.
My friend said: ‘We are being singled out and attacked almost every day because of our colour.’
His response still sticks with me: ‘Because of your colour, they are bullying you. The way I see it, they are just bad people. I’m sure in your countries there are prisons with bad people too, it’s got nothing to do with your colour.’
He totally rejected the idea that what we were being subjected to was racism. He didn’t even recognise that we were born in, and belonged to, this country.
The recent killing of George Floyd should remind us all that racism is not just a problem of the past. Black Lives Matter. And Asian Lives, and every life. This is not simply an American issue, it’s a worldwide problem. We must all recognise the inequalities, discrimination and racism that still exist today within British communities and institutions.
Many in our society feel under attack from the very forces that are meant to protect them. The fact that thousands of people risked their lives in the midst of a global pandemic to make their views known through public protest is evidence of just how serious this issue is.
At the same time, we’ve learnt that black and minority ethnic populations here in Britain are far more vulnerable to COVID-19, and that some of that susceptibility is likely to be linked to the effects of long-term disadvantage that our communities have faced over many years.
We must educate ourselves, wake up to everyday racism, and take steps to tackle it. Real equality will only be achieved through real action. And that action needs to start now.
Multicultural Richmond is a local charity which supports people of all ages, from all backgrounds, cultures and races who are vulnerable, disadvantaged and isolated. To donate and help us continue our valuable work, please contact Ravi Arora on 020 8893 9444 or email ravi@multiculturalrichmond.org.uk.
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