Tate Modern Talk: Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race Reni Eddo-Lodge, in conversation with curator Zoe Whitley. 3 November 2017 - 19.00–20.30

Tate Modern Talk: Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race

We made it in! But unfortunately hundreds more did not.

We made it in by the skin of our teeth, and only thanks to two wonderful (White) women who stepped aside to give us their tickets. I may have been crying. However, I am not sure if that was sheer anger and frustration at how badly handled we all were by the event hosts. Those trying to keep us safe did a great job, as best they could under the circumstances. Giving us whatever small pieces of information they had. However, that, and the marginally bigger venue they produced, does not take away from how utterly poorly and mismanaged the event was (see Reni’s answer to this below). Warning had been given about the popularity of the event. 100 capacity allocated. 500-600 arrived. Only 230 made it in to see Reni Eddo-lodge.

I had promised an absent friend that I would make notes of the night. She was the one who initially pressed the book into my hands. But I realized that many people were left outside and not able to listen to the talk promised… and maybe not able to make or afford the next ticketed talk of Reni’s in the coming weeks.

My friend Kemi, and I made notes.

They are disjointed. There are changes between narrators, changes between quotes, general summaries, and also tenses. Apologies if some of it doesn’t make sense. But hopefully enough of it will.

Author of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race, Reni Eddo-Lodge, in conversation with curator Zoe Whitley.

3 November 2017 - 19.00–20.30

Eddo-Lodge began the talk with the conclusion that white people just don't care.

There is talk of “Diversity” this and that.  And then I came to the conclusion that most white people at the top, really don't care.  And once you accept that. Then things will be easier for you. White people talk but take no action and White feminist talk but there was no action. Within the feminist circles, that once race began to be questioned, in opposition to the accusations of racism, there began the creating the narrative that "I am the problem".

The other reason for the book was that the onus is always on us to do the work the psychological heavy lifting all the time when it comes to understanding and explaining racism. Referencing the film The Colour of Fear (1994). And so the book came about because this is what someone else needs to read, so that we don't have talk to people about this anymore.

Eddo-lodge talked about getting the work up and running:

She started her blog 2nd year at uni. She interned as a journalist but was aware that all black people were cleaners. She blogged, then she got attention from the establishment. But no one in the “establishment” really took a risk. Seeing how Nepotism, middle class white they get all the real opportunities. The fallacy of being colour blind. Black women’s’ voices are just not taken seriously at all. “I don't know what happening with white peoples ears but it’s not penetrating”.

She had been doing the work for years before her book. It had been in the public domain but no one cared. The standard response always seems to be "There is not a market for this kind of work!" The queues tonight are a testament against this absurd argument.  

And as the host began in her introduction, Tate Modern underestimated both this talk and the interest in the Soul of A Nation exhibition which had 60% more attendance than the Tate was expecting.

We have this idea that the internet is democratizing, but that is only if people are investing in you. "No space was given to me in the mainstream media."

There is a lack of money resources and the time. The anchors which are vital in the real world are not investing in these issues. The internet is not the answer for the minority voices. It does not develop these.  Again, this is an example of the systemic systems of racism.

#guerrillagirls

"Unless the history of art includes all our voices it's not the history of art, it's the history of power"

Then these beacons can become the only reference point. 

No one is willing to be a mentor or an advocate of black people. 

No one is offering access or a leg up and assistance. 

These are the structures that are in place that lay this bare. 

The fallacy of being "colourblind" 

Intersectionality. Black women's voices are just not being taken seriously. It's not like those work is not in the public domain. White people are choosing not to see it and listen to it. It is the silencing of our voices. 

Having to tease out some of these spaces that we can find. 

Responses to "Girls." These are not voices of "all women" only "all women like me" 

If you could talk to black people about race. What would you say?

Share out the opportunities. Attempt to increase the unity of the movement.

This work is bigger than any one person’s ego. It's about the politics and not me.

People are waiting for the book and not me. Focus primarily on the work and not the ego. Don't revel in the issue. Work out how do you do it so that we don't remain in this position. Push aside and against the culture vultures. Get like-minded people together, regardless. 

"Don't ask for permission. Get on with the work"

Focusing on the work, creates the situation means that people around you just become fascinated, even if it's to criticize. Just work with likeminded people and focus on the work. 

Why no Political involvement?

We have much more power as the electorate than we realise.  

Personal stance, on not taking a political party alignment; if it means aligning and moving and changing beliefs to fit in, then what is the point.  We don't have to be part of politics. There are opportunities of standing up in a different way, or through different means. If politics works for you then do that. Do whatever you can, as long as you do the work.

What did you think about the space we were given? 

There is a tradition of us being underestimated. 

I emailed and told them I need a bigger room. 

I was told it wasn't going to happen. 

POC interests market/audience was always underestimated. 

This is the perfect example, books like these are not written in Britain very often. 

White feminist books are ten a penny. 

Sorry that people were turned away. But I knew this was going to happen. 

What will the impact of this book in the long term? What about this book being on the National Curriculum?

The National curriculum has not notified her... not as of yet!...  J

Start the petition for colonialism to be put on the national curriculum. 

Govt have asked her in a tokenism way to contribute to Black history month. But they haven't asked ask to come and influence Policy.

The book is creating a different dialogue. The book title is really like a red rag to a Bull for White people. Then they read it, and they go away. I hope it doesn't get subsumed into merely an intellectual curiosity: but only time will tell on the impact. 

The way you write is incredibly healing. The anger is very real. In your mind, how were you able to take that anger and channel it and make it healing? 

All that anger around feeling unheard went into the book. 

I have been watching and reading feeling very angry. Looking at narratives about equality and thinking they are rubbish. So someone has to try and give it a go. Wanting to talk about race on own terms and not wanting to be in Politics, or to be employed by anyone. You have got to try and channel the anger and put it into something creative. Manage the anger by having a project to work on.  I was tired of biting my tongue and swallowing my words just talking to people. And not working for other people, having to channel it for myself. 

I don't want to be the only voice here. So channel that anger into something creative. Like the art exhibition. Artists, writers, filmmaker are all around us if you are willing to see. 

What’s the difference between American and English Black politics?

"Passive aggressive" 

The court case of the woman who put the pot plant in front of the man’s face is a good example of this. British are all very passive aggressive. 

That's why the books made waves, because it's very direct. I say what I mean.

With right winged you know where you stand but with white liberals all you get is passive aggression

Father in the audience asking for advice for his daughter as she start her career in engineering – “How does a young black woman navigate themselves in the corporate world without losing her essence?:

Have to work at critical mass to create change. Cultural change as well as a policy change. It’s not only that we are not reflected but that we don't get the opportunity to work. 

Lorraine O'Grady “We need mirrors to see ourselves.” find mentors watch, read about people you can identify with.

I wouldn't want to misconstrue that this is easy, in any sphere. Just find the likeminded people, even if different situations and different spheres. Need to build the support network. Find your critical mass of people. Just people you can call. Need a support network, find a place of sanctuary, a place of refuge.

Basically at the moment, White women have the mic on diversity. ("White woman's tears")

"White liberals, if you consider yourself to be truly liberal. Then step up to the plate."

Change is afoot; something is in the air. We are reaching a critical mass.