Our March learning event highlighted the importance we place on anti-racism in our work. We were very pleased that tickets sold out for the evening event in Penrith, which was facilitated by Anti Racist Cumbria, with delicious Syrian food. PERN is committed to an anti-racist learning journey and we will be thinking about how this impacts our values and activities. We want to ask hard questions, and we want to notice bias and racism including how we unknowingly benefit from racism.
The discussion focused on four key terms – white privilege, colour-blindness, white saviourism and anti-racism. The approximately 40 participants explored the meaning of these terms and were encouraged to recognise the racism inherent in British institutions and attitudes, and in our own lives and backgrounds.
If you would like to know more about Anti Racist Cumbria, visit their website. You can find an excellent detailed summary of the PERN Learning Event on their blog. We are very grateful to Anti Racist Cumbria for their skilful facilitation of the event, which allowed for frank discussion about sometimes difficult and sensitive issues.
