{"id":582,"date":"2020-10-14T12:33:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T11:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniofglos.blog\/equality\/?p=582"},"modified":"2024-05-15T08:02:32","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T08:02:32","slug":"alone-we-can-do-so-little-together-we-can-do-so-much-helen-keller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.glos.ac.uk\/equity\/2020\/10\/14\/alone-we-can-do-so-little-together-we-can-do-so-much-helen-keller\/","title":{"rendered":"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Helen Keller."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week’s post comes from the joint chairs of our Black Asian and Minority Ethnics + Network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does BAME even stand for? We are not an acronym, we are the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic + Network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Network was first established in 2019, it was named the BAME Network. But it was not a name chosen by us \u2013 we, the Network, or we the people who are meant to fit within the acronym. It is not \u2018bame\u2019 – as if that is a word itself. BAME is supposed to stand for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic. I will say that again, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic. So, an already oppressed group of individuals has been oppressed even further, by reducing us to four letters many people do not even understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent weeks, the Network has discussed the issues surrounding the acronym, BAME. It was recognised that there is a total loss of identity in being referred to by a generic acronym that has turned into a meaningless word. The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community is not a monolith. The acronym and the resulting word \u2018bame\u2019 create a false sense of homogeneity between diverse ethnic groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Network have therefore decided to rebrand themselves as the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic + Network. We hope that the full words and addition of the \u2018+\u2019 symbol will prompt others at the University to recognise that we are individual, we are varied, we are not a monolith. We want to challenge the notion that using words like \u2018Black\u2019 and \u2018Minority\u2019 make people uncomfortable. It is not words that make people uncomfortable, it is the inequality and by changing the language we can start to address the inequality and oppression it stems from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chairs of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic + Network<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hello everyone, my name is Anjelica Johnson and I\u2019m Co-Chair of the BAME Network. Having based my Master\u2019s thesis on widening participation, the dichotomy between black and disadvantaged students achieving an upper-second and first-class degree, in comparison to their white counterparts was brought to my attention and sparked a desire to work with these cohorts of students and raise aspirations. Being a member of the Network has brought to light that there is still much work to do in ensuring these students are seen, heard, and supported throughout such a rich, yet challenging time of their lives as they work to improve their social mobility within an institution that is still considered as elitist. The Network in that respect, is a safe and accommodating space for students and staff to speak openly about their experiences which are often shared, and for our ally\u2019s to listen and impart the knowledge gained within their peer groups and start conversations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hello!\u202f My name is Kristina Tailor and I co-Chair the BAME Network with Anjelica.\u202f When I moved from Coventry – a large, multi-cultural city with two very diverse Universities – to Gloucestershire, I was shocked at the stark difference between the two.\u202f Looking at the faces around me, one question seemed to come to mind: where am I<\/strong>?\u202f Things I took for granted in Coventry were a lot more difficult to come by here – it took a few months for me to find an Asian food market in Cheltenham, and I am yet to discover a Hindu Temple.\u202f The culture shock I experienced moving to this region made me question whether students went through the same struggles.\u202f Starting University is a daunting enough experience without feeling like you can\u2019t connect with your surroundings or peers.\u202f Joining the Network is my opportunity to help raise the profile of BAME cultures at the University and support students to feel safe, included and heard.\u202f  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Network, our current priorities are:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n