Lots of people would call it wishful thinking. I call it coming into the 21st Century.

I have the current pleasure to be reading up on Critical Race Theory (CRT) for the past year, from the ground-breaking work of Kimberly Crenshaw to uncovering racism in English education policy through David Gillborn. Policy formation is heavily politicised, with movements such as Black Lives Matter and Anti-Racist Education, race equality is becoming involved in the mix.

I remember first reading the meaning of CRT – I was left in shock at the thought of someone openly saying (and publicising) the outing of white supremacy! Often we think of this term and associate it with the KKK (an example of institutionalised racism), but its actually in reference to (but not limited) the collective white people of power or influence. Given that this theory originated in America, it makes to discuss the power imbalance between white and ethnic minorities. I think some people often forget that CRT can be applied in any setting where one race dominates the other and uses its power to influence favourable outcomes for the dominant race. Therefore, CRT can be applied to the East as well.

Western politics is rife with this issue. I have read about attempts in creating equality in protected characteristics to be merely lip service. But now that I have seen it in action, I cannot seem to express my disbelief. Work undertaken by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission provides guidance documents on the Equalties Act (2010), but you can imagine the frustration when section 104 of the Act cannot even be put into action due to the fear of legal challenges. Why? Because this is STILL an unprecedented area of political law, 10 years after being introduced. I understand that these things take time, but c’mon … this is surely taking the biscuit?

For the last ten years, we have had a Conservative government, which not surprising as to why there has been no progress in Equalities apart from the tokenistic gesture here and there. If you are the ruling Party, why shake things up to let ‘outsiders’ come to the top table? You would want to protect the status quo because you are comfortable with your cronies, giving priorities to those aspects in which you have a vested interest. These are characteristics of the white elitist.

I used to believe that if Scotland were to be an independent country, then we would be free from this imposed racial injustice. The more I have become deeply involved in Scottish politics and policy, the more I see that the same issues are applicable here, just not to the same extent. No political party has committed to increasing the diverse elected representation within their Parties to contribute to a diverse Scottish Parliament. Government organisations still do not have many people of colour, mainly due to the issues stemming from institutional racism.

Put me in a room where the big decisions get made. I am not afraid to tell it as it is, and I am making my views known at the top table. My interest in CRT allowed for a practical application, one which I voiced at the time and was pleased to be heard. My reading from Christopher Hood’s ‘The Blame Game’ allowed me to voice where blame lies and the need for action from leaders. My research in racist bullying at schools has proved the need for having better protection for victims, highlighting institutionalised racism in everyday life and the desperate need for anti-racist education.

My point?

Put your money where your mouth is, put policies into practice. Otherwise, we will never be able to live in a just society, and one of the most crucial elements is to stop seeing people of colour as threats. Vote for the unconventional person and what they can bring to the table (that goes beyond name-sake and stereotyping). And please, be mindful of institutionalised racism in your own decision-making process.