Women in Government, be unapologetically Black
This article was originally published on Apolitical and is one of the finalists in Apolitical’s 2020 women in government writing competition.
Only 12 of the 220 women elected to Parliament in 2019 are Black. Across local authorities, 7.5% are Black women.
To put this into perspective, 52% of the Black population in the UK are female. Women have long campaigned for equal rights in the workplace but for Black women, fighting for a position when we hold a double barrier is tiresome.
It is as if we have broken a barrier and we should be grateful. But, real substantial change, whereby systematic and institutional biases are broken, can only emerge when we confront them. Women in Government, it is time we embrace an unapologetic attitude to create a society that empowers our communities and inspires a new generation.
In an environment like Parliament where long-held customs and traditions are embedded into everyday working life, it can seem impossible to be a voice of reason. Alongside the long working hours of a parliamentarian, other factors women must consider include childcare facilities, accessibility and the gentlemen’s club culture of Whitehall. Why does this matter?
It is important for those who represent us in public life to truly reflect the diversity of the real world. This does not just mean people who look like us, but people we can relate to from lived experience, cultures, even in the way a person speaks. But we have to prepare ourselves and navigate around these barriers, no matter what form they exist in.
The weight of responsibilities and the need of the Black community in all its complex history can seem daunting, but an open conversation needs to be had over how these barriers have come to exist and who needs to take responsibility.
When discussing the importance of diversity and inclusion, we are not referring to a tick-box exercise. Policy around crime with stop and search, the disproportionate maternal mortality rate amongst Black women, and the community food aid response for Black communities, are just some of the examples as to why we need more unapologetic Black voices. We need them, not just in national government, but in local government too.
Imposter syndrome is common when you encounter spaces that were never built for you in the first place. They create thoughts like “Am I qualified enough?”, “How can I make a real difference?”, or “How will I ever fit in?” Psychotherapist, Brian Daniel Norton, notes Black women especially are most at risk of imposter syndrome, stemming from experiences of “systemic oppression”, which results from being told either directly or indirectly throughout your whole life that you are “less-than or undeserving of success”.
As Black people, we are continually having to justify our existence, because people make assumptions based on the colour of our skin. These assumptions impact how we interact with society, including how we are represented and the ways in which policy affects us, whether that be at a local or national level. It is sad that these thoughts emerge. Yet the truth, Black women, is that we belong!
Alexandra Wilson, a defence barrister, is an example of the discrimination and prejudice Black women face in their professions daily. Arriving at the magistrates’ court to meet her client, she was mistaken 3 times: — as a defendant, and a journalist — by a security officer, a solicitor, and a member of the public.
As Alexandra points out, there are two elements to this. There is how defendants are treated, but also how Black women are treated in the workplace. Is it really so absurd for a Black woman to be a lawyer, or any form of employment that carries a significant position of influence and power?
There is no doubt being a woman comes with its challenges, but it should be said Black women continue to endure these on top of racial injustice. How then can we get comfortable once we secure a seat on the table? First and foremost, we use our position of influence to tackle injustices internally as well as externally. By being present ourselves, we represent the next generation also.
Secondly, we bring to the fore issues that affect our communities and provide practical solutions that can be adopted. This is not to say that one Black woman can advocate for us all, but we can begin to talk about disparities amongst our community such as how Black women are 5 times more likely to die in pregnancy, childbirth or in the postpartum period.
If we are not actively challenging the biases we experience from others, or even the institutionalised racism, then we become a part of it. Black women are often described as being “strong” and having the ability to bear pain, but we are not any different from women of other races. We feel pain, we get tired and we often feel powerless. But we must not feel compelled to be silent on issues that affect our communities. Do not apologise for being there. Do not apologise for speaking on issues that you are passionate about. Above all, do not apologise for being a Black woman.
Being a Black woman comes with its challenges; challenges that are not helped by biases and systemic racial injustices. However, as leaders, it is important for Black women to be unapologetic when we find a seat on the table, be it in Government or other arenas of influence and leadership.
