Black History Month - a colleague's story

Molly moved from South London to Dorset in 2000 and joined Magna in 2018.

Molly said: “For me, Black History Month is a subject close to home as I’m the proud mother of three mixed race children.

“In London, I worked for several housing associations with people from all different cultures and backgrounds, and the areas I lived in were multi-cultural. 

“When I moved to Dorset, I found my experience to be very different. I have witnessed racism in my personal life, the lives of my children and family members and colleagues. Not all of this is intentional, but shows a lack of understanding and awareness.”

“We all need to have these difficult conversations to tackle racism, otherwise we run the risk of not improving human kindness and educating the next generation.”

We asked Molly what changes she’d like to see in the future.

“I’d like to ask everyone to pause for a moment in your day and ask yourself how you would react if you were to witness a racist remark in the workplace or your personal space. What would you do, and how can you make your community a better place?”

“I’d like to see more action taken by employers, not just the obligatory equal opportunities questions. Within the community I’d like to see more education on different cultures to develop inclusivity.”

To learn more, Molly suggested: “You could open your mind to books written by black authors or watch some of the shows which have been put on to celebrate Black History Month. Follow the hashtag on Twitter and read all the stories being shared.”

Magna’s vision is to create great homes together. We’re proud of the work we do in our communities, but we know there’s always more that could be done.

We’ve shared one of our colleague’s stories, but we’d like to hear from our customers too. What is your experience?

Let’s continue the conversation, raise awareness and celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth.

Molly’s top recommendations for books and programmes to widen your knowledge:

 TV

• BBC - Small Axe – 5 original films telling different stories involving the West Indian community 1960’s to 1980’s - Mo Gilligan – British comedian
• BBC iplayer – Anthony - Drama covering the murder of a young black student in Liverpool in 2005.
• BBC – Sitting in Limbo – Drama about one man’s experience during the Windrush scandal
• BBC – The School That Tried to End Racism – documentary set in a South London school exploring white privilege issues.

FILMS

• The Colour Purple – iconic black film following the life of a black woman in the early 1900’s.
• East is East – British comedy/drama set in Salford, Lancashire in 1971 about a mixed race family.
• The Help – Period drama focussing on the relationship between a young white woman and her relationship with two black maids.

BOOKS

• Little Leaders collection of books – Vashti Harrison - books for children depicting famous black people
• Queenie – Candice Carty-Williams – dark comic look at a young black woman’s life.
• White teeth – Zadie Smith – novel focussed on 2 war time friends, one Bangladeshi and white British.

Pictured: Molly and her daughter Darcy.