Speech to Falmouth Anti-Racist Rally- We are all Victims to the Subtleties of Casual Racism

I gave this short speech to a rally of 500 people in Falmouth. It was a peaceful event, with two other speakers, culminating in a 9 minute kneel for George Floyd. 

                               Images copyright Greg Martin Photojournalist

Hello, thank you to everyone for coming but as my former speakers have suggested this is nothing new to us, and it is a difficult and painful time. 

My name is Chloë, I was born here and grew up no further than a 5 minute walk from this park.

I wanted to share with you my most recent incident of racism. I think it’s an important story to share because it shows how insidious these things can be. This wasn’t a random person on the street, or a stranger in my place of work- all familiar settings of racism for those of us who know. This was an incident with a friend, who I respected and felt safe around.

Earlier this year I was in Barcelona, and me and my friend Harry went to stay one night with a local friend we have there. She’s a kind soul, she practices yoga and meditation, has travelled the world. Her family were hospitable and welcoming. Even her cats took great interest in me. Her cats, Tigger and... N*gger. My friend looked at me with guilt as she introduced the animal, saddled with a name with such great historical burden it will never know. She shook it off, apologised- blamed their second language and offered me some alternative names alluding to the dark black colour of the cat.

I was left speechless, dumbfounded, my face was hot and I was angry. But I was trapped, this had happened not on the dark streets of the big city I was in, but in a space where I should have felt safe.

There are a few points I want to make relating to this.

Firstly- it highlights the importance of how something you may feel is an innocent joke can be deeply traumatising for a marginalised person.

Secondly- it shows the importance of alliance. My friend was just as shocked as I was and empathised with me, but now we need your white voices to call this bullshit out when we’re afraid that we may just look over sensitive.

Finally- this is just one example of the daily struggle people of colour have in order to feel safe and comfortable in every setting. For me it was with a friend, but it can also be in school, at work, on public transport, in clubs and bars, at sports events. And as it was for George Floyd and so many others, in the custody of those we pay to protect us. We also must acknowledge the extreme systemic racism that prevents social mobility of black people through school, higher education and the workplace. 

So from here go out- learn our history, ask the difficult questions, check your privilege, and hold those in power to account. Thank you for listening.