Hard to reach?

A conversation I often have is about the use of deficit language (phrases like “at risk”, “vulnerable”, or “disadvantaged”) to describe groups of people. “Hard to reach” is a particular bugbear. I liked this blog by Haleema Ali at UpRising about how she feels about this term. “I am not hard to reach,” she says.

Groups of people in themselves aren’t hard to reach but they might be somewhere else. I’ve mentioned before that organisations like the National Trust and Kew Gardens are doing good work in making their spaces more accessible and more genuinely for everyone.

RBG Kew is a public body and partly reliant upon income from the taxpayer. It is essential that we are for everyone; and that everyone feels there are things at Kew that are relevant to their lives and that they feel welcomed in our gardens.

Reading Anita Sethi’s account of walking the Pennine Way, “I have encountered no hostility yet on my walk, but there is no denying that as a woman of colour walking through this landscape I stick out like a sore brown thumb,” was heartening. Black Girls Hike was founded to develop services and projects to increase the participation and development of Black women in the outdoors, and work with the wider outdoor industry towards inclusion and representation. As a lover of solitude and the outdoors myself I am aware that I wouldn’t feel safe, as a lone female, striding across Europe on my own like Laurie Lee or Patrick Leigh Fermor and other men can. Reclaiming these spaces for all of us is so vital.

I thought this was an interesting read about the post-pandemic blurred boundaries between work and home life and impact on inequality.

And here’s a perfect answer to the question: “Can white people experience racism?” Another good answer, which I’ve heard Chenjerai Kumanyika give, is is racism = prejudice plus power. White people can therefore experience prejudice, but not racism.

Interesting and useful links 🖇️

The BBC published its latest update on its 50:50 project.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews Board of Deputies published a landmark report on racial inclusivity in the Jewish community.

This looks an interesting event - Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu in conversation with Kehinde Andrews about her new book This Is Why I Resist

Learning points 🎓

My blindingly obvious is your light bulb moment.

And your blindingly obvious is my light bulb moment.

Let’s share our light bulbs more!

Day of the Week 📆

It’s lesbian visibility week!

What am I reading? 📚

I’m currently reading How to be an anti-racist by Ibram X. Kendi. Ibram explains the difference between *not* racist and anti-racist - and why *not* racist isn’t enough.

What am I watching? 👀

I discovered that one of my favourite films from my early teens, Gregory’s Girl, was released forty years ago. It’s on Iplayer!

What am I listening to?👂

I love this song. I love the Supremes and the Temptations' version of this song. I love the Temptations’ version of this song. And I love Diana and Stevie’s version of this song.

Joy-giving things 😍

It was blossom watch day so here’s some apple blossom from the allotment.

Last year we had hardly any apples because all the blossom blew away. I think the same might have happened this year given how windy it’s been this week.

Have a lovely weekend

Lucy

PS May your blossom turn into rosy apples 🌸🍎

I write this newsletter because I believe in sharing progressive ideas that help us work towards a truly equal world.

Share it with your friends so they can read it too 📣

ChangeOut is created by Lucy Caldicott. You can find more about my work at ChangeOut.org. If you’re looking to have a chat about culture, leadership, purpose, equity, or a facilitated team discussion about any of those things, get in touch. You can also find me on Bluesky, Instagram, and, LinkedIn.

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