Paulette Caletti, Producer, Prettybird, and family on their summer holiday last year
Is the only way to see a future free of racism to turn to science fiction? A future where humans have access to the full potential of their brains and happiness comes from looking within. Where the factors that create racism, sexism and homophobia no longer exist and where our baby steps on social justice have turned into giant leaps for humanity.
My future free of racism would be one of freedom to be, go and live anywhere. The world would truly be my oyster. Of course, I’m free to book a flight anywhere, but how relaxing would that holiday be if I felt uncomfortable? It’s hard to relax when your guard is up against strangers on the street offering their opinions.
When I first moved to Brixton in the early 2000s with my Italian future husband, I didn’t want him to hold my hand on the bus and he couldn’t understand why. We could get either a side eye or a frown. But times have changed and I feel more secure now.
I’m a working class, northern, Black woman whose mother died from breast cancer when I was four. I was always an outsider, with race another layer. I’ve worked in media since 1999. At one company I wasn’t allowed to answer the phones. Was it because of my accent? Working freelance as a runner, production assistant and directing short films, career progression was slow. But I learnt from amazing kick-ass women (Black and White) and had strong allies. Returning to work, after my kids, I called on them and was given the opportunity to be a producer at Prettybird.
Education is key; educate children better and educate ourselves. I’ll admit, I’ve had David Olusoga’s book, Black and British: A Forgotten History next to my bed for a year and haven’t read it! All children should learn about race. As a Black parent, I talk to my children, to prepare them for how the world will treat them because of their colour and what they’ll have to do to protect their mental and physical wellbeing. I have to show them how to navigate dealing with the police. There is a future where there’s no need for this conversation.
I don’t think racism will totally disappear. Hopefully, the general consensus will be that racism becomes unacceptable. Like smoking. You’ll have to take it outside as other people will want to avoid being damaged by passive racism.
What we don’t want is for the conversation to go silent, thinking we’re making progress, but instead finding people are silent racists. Be anti-racist and speak up when a situation or comment is racist. Don’t be afraid to show where you stand. It doesn’t have to be a confrontation. Simply call it out. Sometimes there’s confusion about what is and isn’t racist. We need an anti-racist list. Marguerite Ward’s article An Anti-racist dictionary: 16 Words on Race, Gender and Diversity is a great place to find the words to continue the conversation.
