Feature: with guest practitioner Margaret Greer, national officer, race equity, UNISON
Margaret Greer was one of the speakers at the Race Equity Series session five (if you missed the session, you can watch the recording). In this Q&A, she talks about her work and her views on anti-racist action in civil society.
What brought you into this work?
I don’t recall if I was brought into this work or if this work was already in me. From an early age, I felt a deep responsibility to advocate for fairness and uplift those who weren’t being heard. Leadership has always been a natural space for me—whether in team sports or community organising because I believe meaningful change happens when people come together with a shared purpose. This work isn’t just a job for me; it’s a calling. I am deeply committed to making a difference, ensuring that voices are heard and fighting for equity in every space I step into. It’s about action, accountability, and creating a lasting impact for change.
How can organisations use reports as a tool for anti-racism while tackling both individual incidents and wider structural issues?
Reports are not just documents; they are catalysts for change. Organisations must see reporting systems as more than a compliance measure, they should be a way to listen, learn, and take meaningful action. Individual cases highlight lived experiences that require immediate response, but the patterns within reports reveal systemic failures that demand structural reform. Transparency, accountability, and a commitment to dismantling barriers are essential. A report without follow-through is just paper; a report with action is a step toward equity.
What have your experiences with anonymous reporting taught you about feeling safe to speak up, and how do you think it affects open dialogue?
Anonymous reporting can be a lifeline for those who fear retaliation, but it also speaks to a deeper issue —many people don’t feel safe enough to voice concerns openly. While it provides protection, it can also limit open dialogue, making it harder to build trust and accountability. The goal should be to create environments where people don’t have to be anonymous to feel safe. Organisations must move beyond just receiving reports and actively foster cultures where speaking up is met with protection, validation, and action.
You’ve been at the forefront of race equity work in the sector. What advice would you give to Black and Minoritised Ethnic people on maintaining their well-being?
This work is necessary, but it is also exhausting. The weight of advocacy can be heavy, and too often, those doing the work don’t take time to replenish themselves. My advice is to prioritise self-care as an act of resistance—set boundaries, seek family and community and remind yourself that you are not alone in this fight. Joy is also a form of activism. Find spaces where you can be your full self, without constantly having to justify your existence. Protect your peace as fiercely as you protect justice.
Looking ahead, what’s one change in reporting racism that you feel deeply committed to, and why does it matter for you on a personal level?
I am deeply committed to ensuring that reports lead to real, lasting change. Too often, reporting feels like shouting into the void—cases are logged, investigations happen, but the structures allowing racism to persist remain intact. This work is far too important to be reduced to paperwork. I want to see organisations held accountable for acting on reports, not just collecting them.
This matters to me on a personal level because every report represents a person, a lived experience and often, a moment of profound courage. We owe it to those who speak up and those who can’t, to ensure their voices lead to transformation not silence. If we don’t do this, we are simply documenting injustice rather than dismantling it.