Racism is taught.
Passive racism is one of the biggest killers and we have a lot
of that around these parts.
They swore at us and insulted us that was the first
time I was ever called nigger.
A lot of people try to paint the racism in the UK as subtle, concealed.
It is more usually the case that it isn't in your life and therefore you presume it of others.
The last protest made it onto the front page of the local paper.
I'm happy with that.
The language people are comfortable using, the term half-caste to describe me.
It's going to be interesting to see what the turnout is this week.
In our local area to be able to change minds, we're going to have to be able to educate ourselves.
Say the two that I made last week were these two.
There has been a fair number of issues like through the past where
I've you know been galvanized to want to say join the protest but
haven't been able to go up to London or go up to Bristol to join in where people are taking action
and felt, you know, in the oval if I try to organise anything there'd be maybe three of us or
something and it could potentially look just a bit silly instead but just made a
Facebook event saying I would be standing, messaged a few friends who I
knew would be sympathetic and it snowballed.
My name is Flora and I moved from South London to a small village just outside Yeovil
when I was 10 years old.
This is me and my dad.
When I moved here it was the first time I became incredibly aware of the fact that I was mixed race
because I was no longer surrounded by people who looked like me.
That's no one's fault, that's just a fact of living in a largely white town
or kind of on the outskirts.
Have you ever regretted moving us?
Well, I remember one of one of my work experiences where I said to the client,
you know, very good, very excellent and all done by hand and he said,
yes, they work like niggers they did.
These are the things sometimes you just have to not ignore but you just have to let
let go otherwise ... — You see, that's where we disagree.
I am actually really excited about tomorrow, I really am and it's my dad's birthday,
shout out to my dad.
And I'm like we're going to the protest but he wants to come with me
which is good and he is white and when I mean white he is white.
Dad, what's it been like to be a white dad and be raising mixed-race children?
In this area, there's more ignorance, people don't know how to relate to people of colour,
they don't know what kind of questions that they're allowed to ask or maybe
a little bit uncomfortable on how to relate to people of colour.
We are now way to the protest today and one stereotype that this family definitely suffer
is Afro-caribbean timing.
I was ready!
I was the one ...
But we are all very excited!
Hello, Annabel again, just on our way to the protest.
Got my massive sign, a bit nervous.
I saw the far-right protesters on the news fighting the police for what seemed
to be no logical reason.
So waiting for Hannah, Flora and Annabel who I managed to get in contact with after last week.
We've not actually met in person.
Hello Flora. — Hello.
Hi! How are you? — I'm good, how are you?
Nice to meet you.
It's going to be so awesome, honestly.
I think it's going to be great.
I hope, like, people actually take something away from this not just come and saying that they've done at
part by showing up ...
We've seen the power of like, collectively our voices are so powerful ...
If we keep it up,
something can change.
I grew up mix raced in Somerset, it wasn't always easy ...
Being followed around shops, asked for drugs constantly
or being called a nigger by an adult while still in primary school.
I'm telling you all this, just a highlight that although it may not make the news,
as it does in America, or the biggest cities in the UK,
racism in Somerset is very much prevalent.
I've experienced racism here, I've experienced racism up north where I used to live,
I've learned over these past couple of weeks that our minds have to be taken apart and put back together
again to truly recognise where we are lacking in regard to the topic of racism.
I'm 23 and Hannah 17 and I feel like if I'd had a place to come with other
mixed-race people, people of colour, when I've been 17 I think I would have got to
where I am now mentally and being able to talk about issues of race and stuff
way quicker than I have.
The conversation has been silent for so long and it's been so such an absent discourse.
This is the change that we're making, this generation has, I think,
more accountability for social justice and social issues and I think we're more willing
to come out and stand and fight if we have to.
My black dad is gentle and kind, he enjoys bird-watching
and ironing to unwind.
He has experienced racism that I cannot even fathom.
I want you to try and dissect some of the anger black people are feeling today.
How they feel after being stopped and searched again, taking into account the hurdles
they have faced.
I'm not condoning violence, I can't, it's not in my DNA but what I am trying to say is think about
why black British communities may feel a certain way.
Be mindful, be kind.
You don't know the history that lies behind the eyes of my black dad.