Blog: The government can still address racism properly

Many members of UNISON, in common with Black workers throughout the country, are only too well aware of the everyday realities of racism within their workplaces and across the rest of society. No amount of official reports can deny that lived experience. Neither are these reports required to confirm it. The recent report commissioned by the Westminster government from the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, also known as the Sewell report, can’t hide or deny the scale of the racism that is still part of Black British lives. Before saying something about what can best be described as a disappointing report, though, it is worth reflecting on the backdrop to it. First, Black workers were found to be far more likely to be exposed to the COVID-19 virus and far more likely to die from it. This may have been because Black workers are highly represented in roles such as education staff, health workers and delivery drivers, but it is also likely to be due to generations of public health inequalities. This high infection and death rate amongst the Black community was undeniably in need of serious investigation. Second, there was worldwide discontent about the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and others in the US. This discontent led to a statue of a slave trader being pulled down during protests in the UK – and plans for the removal of others being made. Thousands of Black and white people taking a knee as a mark of respect to those that have died but...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Blogs News Black workers racism Source Type: news