“Now I want to talk to all my Black friends and family about racism !”
A section of “Becoming Anti-Racist in Barbados: Q&A”, a resource list for ALL white or ‘pass-fuh-white’ Bajans, and other white people living in Barbados.
If you are not a racist, if you’ve been having conversations about race recently, if you’ve felt uncomfortable talking about race, if you don’t think race is an issue, or if you are interested in become Anti-Racist…
This is for you!
“I want to talk to all my Black friends and family about this now!”
Be aware that carrying multi generations of racism is exhausting and can take its toll on physical and mental health. Do not expect the emotional labour of darker skinned people in explaining all of their experiences on all of these matters. But do listen when they speak up, and amplify with their permission.
Other Sections
Frequently Heard Claims
- “Racism is more of an American issue…”
- “I’m white and I’m not wealthy, I don’t have white privilege…”
- “Slavery happened years ago, why can’t people get over it?”
- “I have Black family and friends etc. I’m not racist…”
- “As a ‘white minority’ I’ve experienced more racism than Black people…”
- “I don’t see colour… Why don’t we just spread positivity?”
- “It’s not about race, it’s about class issue etc.”
- “Indentured servants were slaves too!”
- “Black workers are lazy.”
- “My Black friends & family agree with me on this…”
- “Every race segregate and hire their relatives and friends, not just White people”
- “There are many Black people who have done very well for themselves”
- “All Lives Matter”
- “The Nelson Statue should stay, we can’t change history!”
- “ Having conversations about race in Barbados is divisive and will only stir up hatred and violence…”
- “I don’t like the tones of these conversations when they become angry and extreme!”
Now I want to talk to all my Black friends and family about racism!
