Conclusions: pushing towards race equity
The insights and experiences of Black and Minoritised Ethnic people recorded in the survey will guide the Home Truths 2 programme in its future work with mainstream civil society leaders and organisations.
The survey offers a picture of what an anti-racist future for mainstream civil society might look like. There are some signs that organisations are coming out against racism and taking anti-racism more seriously than before. Crucially, however, feedback from respondents suggests that positive statements of intent made by mainstream civil society organisations are simply not being matched by practical steps.
This is why, on the balance of the evidence provided in the survey, we must conclude that more than three years after the murder of George Floyd, warm words and seemingly serious intent to deliver change have not changed much in everyday lived realities.
The evidence, in the main, makes it hard to argue with the contributor who said:
Behind all the talk and rhetoric, nothing much seems to change.
What is more, the survey throws up a concern that attention to anti-racism will soon dissipate. Forty-three per cent[1] of respondents feel that interest in anti-racism/race equity will fade in their organisation, compared with only 28%[2] who disagree with this idea. For those long involved in race equity and racial justice issues, the ebb and flow of wider engagement is all too familiar.
But there is hope.
Sixty-five per cent[3] of survey contributors are hopeful that progress will be made on anti-racism/race equity in the organisation in which they work.
Therefore, this is a pivotal time, with much at stake. The recent focus on anti-racism in mainstream civil society may come to be seen as a passing moment, or it could be a prompt for a meaningful movement for change.
Which side of the line we end up will be influenced by the courage and commitment of mainstream civil society leaders and organisations.
And as we push things forward with the Home Truths 2 programme, we will seek out those intent on delivering ongoing transformation. That involves, in the words of one contributor:
actually facing discomfort, being reflexive and doing the emotional labour of anti-racist and decolonial work.
Without this hard and uncomfortable labour by mainstream civil society leaders and organisations, warm words will count for little.
[1] 43 of 101 responses to the question.
[2] 28 of 101 responses to the question.
[3] 65 of 101 responses to the question.
