Friday Thoughts On Racism — I Can No Longer Remain Silent — One Year On
One year ago today June 18th, my journey and struggle to eradicate racism began with an article, published on my behalf by Roche Voices.
On Sunday 6th June in my church, I received a preaching which challenged me greatly. The preaching was on a well-known biblical story, about when the Israelites decided not to enter the promised land because the challenge before them was too great, instead their children inherited what they did not. I thought back to something that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said on the night before he was assassinated,
Just as with the Israelites, the whole Civil Rights Movement generation is likely to die before they can enter the promised land of racial equity and justice. In the last 12 months I’ve given a number of talks, attended panel discussions, dialogue circles and one to one meetings and consistently I have stated:
“I have experienced racism for my entire life, and this has to stop with me. I might not see an end to racism in my lifetime, but I don’t want my future grandchildren to have to live in a world where they are devalued and unappreciated just because of the colour of their skin.”
The preacher challenged us not to be like those who did not enter the promised land. He said,
“We use the excuse of wanting our children to inherit, which means that we cannot. God wants us, as well as our children, to come into the promise now. So, what is stopping you!”
Reflecting on the preaching, I now know that I need to embrace the promise for myself, I need to enter the promised land. I need to fight and conquer the giants, so that those that come after me can receive the blessings that come from a life free from racism. The effects of racism are probably too significant for any beneficial change to impact my life, but unlike my statement “I might not see an end to racism in my lifetime”; I don’t want to just stand on the hill of my antiracism efforts and look down into the promised land of a world without racism. I want to enter that promised land along with my children and grandchildren, I want to at least set foot in this promised land before I die.
Dr. Severin Schwan the Chief Executive Officer of the Roche Group, in an interview with Yvette Miata Petersen — Chief of Staff and Transformational Lead, Pharma Research and Early Development, made this statement:
“Diversity is that we welcome people, no matter what race, gender, religion or sexual orientation they have. We see it as something which makes us stronger.
Diversity is an opportunity, and people who are not embracing diversity, they simply don’t belong to this company. We do not tolerate discrimination.”
The word given to the Israelites that they rejected was,
“…do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” Numbers 14:9 NIV
For as long as I am able to work at Roche, I see Roche as my promised land. I stand on Dr. Schwan’s words; I am not afraid, the protection of racists and so called “not racist” is gone.
Across the globe we continue to see relentless racial discrimination and abuse against Black people, the resurgence of racial attacks against the Asian and South Asian communities due to Covid, anti-semitism against the Jewish community and other forms of injustices. We have also seen the first steps into the promised land, I applaud the recognition and the start of reparations by Germany for its atrocities against the nation of Namibia. Just this week the US Supreme Court recognised Juneteenth as a national holiday to celebrate the emancipation of African Americans who had been enslaved. I welcome many more of these kinds of recognition.
This week on the 10th Anniversary of the Roche OPEN (Out, Proud and Equal Network), Roche received a prestigious award in Switzerland. The Swiss LGBTI Label is a recognition for Swiss organisations that manage diversity and inclusion holistically, considering sexual orientation and identity, and foster an open and inclusive work environment.
When I first started at Roche, I didn’t understand the need for employee resource groups (ERGs). Why were there women’s groups and no men’s groups, or LGBTQ groups and no straight groups. I didn’t understand why they were needed if there were already affirmative action policies and campaigns. I was not in the company when OPEN started but I now understand the oppression that members of LGBTQ+ communities face in all companies and organisations worldwide. I understand the reason for these ERGs because they focus on areas of discrimination.
At the time of my Roche Voices post, I committed to a lifelong fight against racism, in all its forms and within my sphere of influence. At that time, I didn’t know how big that sphere would be. Since then, I have been blessed to have conversations and to work with individuals and groups at all levels within Roche and Genentech. What I have learned in these past 12 months is that,
There Is Strength In Unity.
I aim to establish unity against racial discrimination within Roche and Genentech: to root out systemic racism, implement affirmative action providing equal opportunities, and to strive for equity for all ethnic groups; ensuring nothing is taken away from one ethnic group to give advantage to another ethnic group.
A practical example of racial justice that established an equitable system for all, is the story of the Black Parents Movement’s struggle against the classification of educationally subnormal (ESN) for their children.
Subnormal: A British Scandal BBC iPlayer documentary — only available in the UK
Subnormal: A British Scandal Q&A with Steve McQueen — On YouTube