How do I work with young people on the issue of racism?

We have seen a wave of reaction to the death of George Floyd that all of us working with young people are trying to get to grips with. We are asking: What can I do? What can I say? How can I support the young people of colour in my youth group – many of whom are speaking up about their experiences of racism, often for the first time – or listen to others doing so? How do I work with the young people who want to stand as allies – but who may also be compounding the experiences of racism through their lack of understanding? What about my own analysis of racism – do I need to develop my own understanding? And how do I make sure to include anti-Traveller racism in any discussion?

We thought we would share with you some of what we have learnt on our journey:

• Not to be afraid of what we do not know or understand – and to be ready to go on a journey of discovery together – with our colleagues and our young people
• Remembering and trusting our core skills and values as youth workers – our ability to stand with, listen and hear what young people are saying is what guides our practice.
• Listening: when we listen deeply we hear – really hear – what young people experiencing racism are saying to us.
• To invest in learning how to compassionately use restorative processes when working with young people who are causing harm means we commit to a wholistic approach
• To anchor our work in the needs of the young people we make sure to ask: “on whose terms?” “who holds the most power?” “how is my input or action going to impact the young people, their family, their community (despite what my intention is)?”
• It is a long journey ahead – a marathon and not a sprint. We witness the scales tipping toward justice through our commitment to start where young people were at, even if – especially if – they seemed to be joining in with no deep understanding or conviction. Harnessing the motivation of our young people has supported them to grow in their power and leadership.
• Being honest and brave, we have promised ourselves to continually explore our own racism – we live in a racist world – we cannot help but carry racism. And if we are white, we carry white privilege. We can learn to carry it with care. And if we are Black, Travellers and people of colour we figure out the deep impact of internalised racism and we start a healing journey.
• When a young person experiences racism it does not follow that they can explain it to us, or even figure it out for themselves; we have learned how to hold space for them mainly by using the core values of Social Justice as our moral compass and guide.

Things you can do:

• Read Make Minority a Priority – NYCI’s research on the experiences of minority ethnic young people growing up in Ireland.
• Read our Transforming Hate manual and Beyond Hate resource on tackling racism and other oppressions through transformative practice.
• Watch our video guides – one on working with minority ethnic young people and another on working with young Travellers
• Watch the video from last year’s IHREC consultation on young people’s experiences of racism.
• If you observe or experience racism report it on www.I-report.ie.
• Go to www.inar.ie to see their Understanding Racism Guide and get ideas of what more you can do.

Be brave – this isn’t an easy journey.

Be focussed on what matters – we reflect deeply but we don’t make it about us – we put the people in Ireland who experience racism at the centre of whatever actions we take

Be patient – this is a complex, nuanced manifestation of deep, systemic and historical injustice; like anything constructed by men there is no one definition, explanation or solution.

Be savvy – join us in fighting for policy change. Call for the publication of the National Action Plan Against Racism with your elected representatives as a priority: Call for

• its publication within 12 months of the new Government coming into office
• the inclusion of the concerns, needs and views of young people in the plan
• adequate resources and a timeline to ensure implementation of any new National Action Plan.