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.
