Equality: Voices in Union

Key Issues

1. Introduction What is racial trauma

What is racial trauma?

Learning points:

  • Racial trauma is cumulative, it develops over time.
  • It can manifest in lots of different ways for example depression or social anxiety.
  • Racial trauma can also lead to people doubting their own experiences and understanding of themselves, and others.

Reflective question:

Reflect on what you know about trauma and how it can manifest in behaviours of children and young people in educational establishments. How can our approach to these behaviours, be shaped by an understanding of racial trauma?

The emotional and health related consequences of inequality can be far-reaching and should not be underestimated. With some forms of trauma, such as a car accident or a bereavement, a person can address the emotions arising from this event that occurred in the past. However, racism is ongoing, and the cumulative effect of everyday reminders of racism, places an enormous mental burden on the shoulders of people of colour.

Confronting this burden is not necessarily a relief, either, and can be an isolating experience. Everyday racism is so frequent and insidious, that it can be perceived as near normal, and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people have long had to minimise their own experiences and emotions in order to get on with their lives, while living in a racist society.

Furthermore, internalised racism sometimes causes people of colour not wanting to acknowledge the impact of racism. This would either be too traumatic, or make them feel singled out. Care should be taken to acknowledge the impact of racism, and its structural consequences, while also being sensitive to the hidden wounds of racial trauma and not make assumptions about how these may manifest for individuals.

Some people of colour will feel that they have never experienced racism, and that they don’t see it as an issue. It is important to note that regardless of individual experiences or understanding, people of colour as a social group still face discrimination in Scotland and the fight for anti-racist education and workplaces is essential.

The teaching workforce in Scotland remains acutely lacking in diversity. Only 1.8% of teachers in Scotland are BAME, and less than 1% of those in promoted posts are BAME. There are many reasons as to why this is, but one likely reason is that young pupils of colour may not want to return to educational establishments where they themselves have experienced racial trauma.

How can we expect to attract more people of colour to education professions – if the working environments are unsafe?

In 2021-22 the EIS conducted research into Councils’ recruitment practices pertaining to BAME staff.

  • The Scottish Government’s commitment is to reach 4% by 2030, but year on year data reports show this target will be nowhere near reached by this deadline if progress continues at its current pace. In the meantime, BAME teachers are leaving the profession and BAME young people don’t see teaching as a profession ‘for them’.
  • Many Councils are unfamiliar with the importance of diversity and the options available for them to take positive action
  • Members can work with Local Association Secretaries to use the data gathered in our research in raising this issue, and negotiate for a proactive approach to achieve stronger racial equality and diversity outcomes in recruitment.
 

The momentum around the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020, has given rise a range of activities related to the anti-racism agenda. The EIS are continuing our work on diversity in the teaching profession by conducing further investigations progression and promotion opportunities.