Particularly in the middle of an unprecedented global pandemic. Some naysayers put it solely down to Covid, people were bored at home and needed a cause to jump on — and the world ran with it. I disagree, but what the pandemic did do is contribute to highlighting inequality in no uncertain terms. Data revealed that black people and POC were being disproportionately affected by the pandemic in both the United States and Europe.
The world in is one where we can see the unrest unfolding on the streets across our screens in real-time. In the space of a few short years Gen Z has made a significant dent in cultures of nationhood and individualism with a move towards seeing the world as one big picture, quite literally this entire planet as our home. But it would be all too simplistic and unfair to put this entire movement down to Gen Z and a global pandemic, whilst certainly contributing factors, inevitably this day absolutely had to come.
When were we white people going to check our privileges? This movement has led to a self-evaluation of my own inherent biases in all the forms they come. How have I seen my white privilege unfold and benefit me? In numerous ways which may not seem so extreme as isolated events, but collectively serve as a stark reminder of how our society operates. My whiteness benefits me in almost every aspect of my life — in my education, my career, where I choose to live, social mobility, ability to travel — take your pick.
My society was preoccupied with its home-grown issues and whilst white-on-white discrimination and violence was rampant the issue of racism was somewhat irrelevant. Two white members of staff painted their faces black and handed out sweets outside the restaurant.
In Senegal, West Africa at the beginning of this year — one afternoon coming back from mainland Dakar on the ferry, a group of schoolgirls clambered on in their pale blue uniforms returning home for the evening. I was the only white person on the top deck of the boat with the girls, most of them not older than five or six.
