For a uniquely personal take on matters of race, discrimination, unconscious bias and the many other issues thrown into sharp relief by recent events in the US, we are proud to present this excellent blog from Nadia Khan.
Nadia is a registered social worker, AMHP and Interim Service Manager for Mental Health with Bradford Council - her words are honest, powerful and inspiring.
Please visit our Social Work With Adults site to read our joint statement with Isabelle Trowler, the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, on the tragic death of George Floyd.
Our experiences can be catalysts for change
When my ex - manager asked me to write a blog about my experiences as a manager from a BAME background, I was initially dismissive and thought ‘Naa! What’s the point?’ It was the same old thing and nothing ever changes.
Then I had a light bulb moment. I realised I am a senior leader and owe it to my colleagues to advocate, educate and explain what it feels like, to help them understand the intrinsic value of each human being and the contribution we all make to society, regardless of our background.
Having worked in mental health for the past 20 years, I have faced oppression many times on my journey. As a British Pakistani Muslim female professional working within the NHS and social care I very quickly realised there was under-representation of BAME colleagues amongst senior leaders.
As a newly qualified social worker, I observed the ways the teams were segregated - caucasian colleagues on one side and BAME colleagues on the other. Being an assertive individual, I shared my observations and unfortunately offended some key people within the team and then was side-lined.
My positive disposition and resilience means I will challenge all attempts to silence me when it comes to any form of injustice - be that in my personal or professional life. The battle continues!
I have always had a strong value base and ethical framework and will always say what I think. My religious beliefs are congruent with social work values and this provides me with confidence to challenge social injustice.
Speak truth to power
However, if we want to do this, we need to challenge each other, disrupt the status quo and have open and honest dialogue. This might, at times, make our leaders uncomfortable. Most professionals say they are non-judgemental but listening to individuals who experience discrimination tells an interesting story.
The word ‘racism’ offends people – especially if someone applies that term to us - but each and every one of us has unconscious bias that gets in the way of the interventions we seek to deliver in good faith.
Some people do not understand the variance of cultures or religions and impose ethnocentric standards. We need to use terms of reference that are important to each individual and have the respect to ask them, rather than make assumptions.
I have the privilege of securing a service manager post. See how my mind has been socialised??? I have to challenge my own statements. It’s not a privilege, I have worked damn hard to get where I am. I have a wealth of experience and entered the social work profession to challenge social injustice, advocate and promote human rights.
I am from a working class background and did not have the privilege that some of my white counterparts had. Dedication, commitment and a strong will have enabled me to achieve my goals. As you can all appreciate, it is normal to have setbacks in life but it important to pick yourself up and try again to achieve your aspirations, whatever that may be.
I have written this blog as I wanted to be a positive role model for my BAME counterparts. We have a valuable contribution to make to social care and need a collective voice to challenge the structural bias that exists in large organisations, knowingly and unknowingly.
Promoting cultural competence and educating communities is even more paramount in a world where discrimination is rife. Our young people cannot face the legacy of being 'othered' in a society that professes to promote equal opportunities.
I love my job as I am in a position to bring about change for the better for our vulnerable communities and provide a challenge to the wider system. I have experienced a ‘double jeopardy’.
We're not here to make organisations look good
I sometimes worry that it is easy to be seen as a token Asian female, a puppet for the organisation that enhances their figures. Let me assure everyone that this is not the case and I certainly do not go along with the status quo. I feel that our Senior Leadership Team values and acknowledges the contribution that I, and my team, have made.
My ask of all my BAME staff colleagues is: please come forward and become future leaders so that our organisations reflect the communities we serve. I want to provide a ‘simile’. I am fed up of going to high profile lectures and strategic meetings where I am the token BAME individual.
It reminds me of going abroad, walking out of the aeroplane and the heat wave hitting you. Seeing a sea of white faces has become the norm. I need you! It is in our gift to create a paradigm shift by becoming future leaders, spreading kindness and instilling hope in future generations. See you soon at these meetings.
Mental health services, more than ever, have to address the inequalities that BAME service users experience. We have spent years highlighting the issue nationally and locally with little change.
Having BAME leaders in key positions in social care and health, and within commissioning, will allow us to deliver culturally appropriate treatment and interventions and take some remedial action.
From the beginning of my journey as a newly qualified social worker to my current position, I have had brilliant managers who have given me learning opportunities to build my skills base up, even when, at times, I have not necessarily wanted it.
This has provided me with the confidence to develop. Living in a society where you are constantly 'othered', it is imperative that leaders identify talent and enhance learning so that our organisations reflect communities.
Thank you to all my managers, past and present. You know who you are!.
Let’s collaborate and work together as a system to unite our communities.
9 comments
Comment by Shona McFarlane posted on
Thank you Nadia - a well written piece that deserves to be widely read.
Comment by Jonathan Musiyiwa posted on
Very encouraging words Nadia. I will take a leaf from some of you have said especially words when are coming from someone of your background they seem to be more meaningful than from others.
Comment by Diane Denney posted on
Nadia, thank you for sharing your journey and words with us all. Your call to unite and work together, spreading kindness, is key to how we can all help each other to change.
Your words bought to mind a prayer that resonates throughout history, and I hope can contribute to how we can change things in the present and future.
The Ravensbruck Prayer, found on a piece of paper in the Nazi concentration camp for women,
Remember not only the men and women of good will, but all those of ill will
Do not only remember all the suffering they have subjected us to.
Remember the fruits we bought forth thanks to this suffering -
Our comradeship
Our Loyalty
Our humility
Our courage and generosity
the greatness of heart that all of this inspired.
And when they come to judgement,
let all those fruits we have borne
be their reward
and their forgiveness.
Amen
Comment by Yvonne Woodhouse posted on
It is difficult to break the glass ceiling when the selectors put in place the selection processes which inhibits some BAME workers from progressing. In essence, it like a game where you make the rules to prohibit BAME progression, then you play the game according to those rules. When you see BAME doing well, you change the rules. How can you ever win unless it is by default .
Comment by Tina Thordal posted on
Thank you Nadia. I have two wonderful, happy, and amazing grandchildren. One is Rayyan who is 3 years of age and the younger is Ibrahim. I hope and pray that as they both grow up they are surrounded by love, ......'acceptance' should be a 'given'. May they never feel the hurt of a cruel word and the feelings of being rejected because of the labels others use to judge and diminish another's spirit. May they forever shine their lights in the world that others may see brightly and may they along with all the like minded children (and adults) help to bring about a positive change in mind and attitude. Nadia, keep shining your light brightly to make the path clear for them and may they tread in your footsteps and those who have gone before. Thank you
Comment by John Hategeka posted on
Hello Nadia, Well-done! what a brilliant and inspiring blog. No one in this day and age should be judged by the colour of their skin. Our children should be growing up knowing that colour will not determine their destiny.
Comment by Mary Kneafsey posted on
Dear Nadia, thank you, this is moving and food for thought. I really appreciate that you took to time to share, educate and that we got the opportunity to learn about you. Wishing you every success in all your aspirations, regards Mary
Comment by Filza Barkat posted on
I hope this gives us Asian social workers inspiration to move forwards.
Not all of us should need to represent communities and we need to bremain mindful that we cannot generalise, otherwise we are at risk of discriminating ourselves , the best people to ask are always the individuals themselves, so long as we personalise services , holistically, we will make real progress.
I agree services in the community need to be accessable by all inc BAME this is where we need more support/ funding and retraining
It is a delight to read this Nadia and well done and thank you
Filza
Comment by Filza Barkat posted on
I hope this gives us Asian social workers inspiration to move forwards.
Not all of us should need to represent communities and we need to remain mindful that we cannot generalise, otherwise we are at risk of discriminating ourselves , the best people to ask are always the individuals themselves, so long as we personalise services , holistically, we will make real progress.
I agree services in the community need to be accessable by all inc BAME this is where we need more support/ funding and retraining
It is a delight to read this Nadia and well done and thank you
Filza