Challenging the Comfortable Distance: How Racism Operates Through Us All

It might be tempting to view the violent racism that has swept through the UK in recent weeks as the only way racism manifests. It’s easy to think that "those racists" are people you don't identify with—someone who is "not like me." While there's likely truth in that, this mindset can be problematic.

The issue with such thinking is that it can serve as a way to distance yourself from the problem—like saying, "I'm a good person, free from the impact of racism." But the reality is, none of us can truly be "free from" this influence. By the very fact of being raised in a society that values some people more and others less based on the amount of melanin in their skin, you're already impacted by racism.

This impact shows up not just in how you react, but also in how you feel, in your movement patterns, in defensiveness about certain topics, or in the urge to avoid particular conversations.

What can open up a space within you that hurts - but is necessary for healing - is recognising that you did not choose to be socialised into a system of oppression, but that this oppression still operates through you, often without your conscious awareness, or despite your good intentions.

This work involves educating yourself about how oppression works, but to be truly effective, it needs to go beyond the "thinking" level. It asks for noticing your body sensations and habitual movement patterns, making space for slowing down to intentionally choose how you show up in the world.

If this resonates with you and you'd like to explore work at the crossroads of racial justice, anti-oppression, somatics and mindful movement, I’d love to have a conversation!