Black history Month: The erased voices of Black women
Guest Blog by Nafisa Nathani, Southern Region Lead, Cultural Fusion, Network Rail
Throughout October many of us have celebrated Black History Month, a time of national celebration to honour the achievements and contributions of black people.
Throughout this month, it is important to reflect on how vast the contributions of our black colleagues across the transport sector have been. A large portion of black colleagues came into this industry, post-World War II to help re-build the country, dubbed the Windrush generation. They came at a time, when racial tolerance and understanding was still in its infancy, and many paid the price.
When we think about trailblazers in the railway, Wilston Samuel Jackson (Britain’s first black train driver), Barrington young (Britain’s first black train inspector) and Trudy Aarons, (Britain’s first black female train driver) come front of mind.
‘Ordinary’ voices of resilience
The collective strength, sheer resilience and determination needed by trailblazers is to be admired, absolutely. However, I would like to ask everyone reading this, to not just think about these figures during the month but reflect on those ‘ordinary’ people who paid the price for standing up to racial intolerance.
Those who challenged and stood up to bias.
Those who received backlash for calling out discriminatory practices.
Those that had their competency repeatedly questioned, as a result of challenging the status quo.
Those that paid the ultimate price for standing up for themselves - whether that is through their physical or mental health.
Those, whose lives haven’t been herocised, but they silently battle away, chipping away just to survive.
Those individuals, who internalised the hate they were exposed to, powerless to do anything else.
Those, that became exhausted, traumatised, silenced, ignored, erased and forgotten about.
Voices like Belly Mujinga.
During a month, when the world calls for us to amplify the underrepresented voices of our black colleagues, this is a story we need to keep alive. A tale, that frightens me to my very core, due to its sheer injustice.
A black woman whose death went un-investigated until a global anti-racism campaign forced the authorities to take note. A man who, during the height of Covid pandemic, spat on her, in what can only be described as a hate crime. She then, two weeks later, tragically died after contracting the deadly virus. Even now, two years later her family are still fighting for justice. The spit attack not even being considered, as part of the inquest into her death.
Belly lost her life, but no one has so far been charged.
This remains a cautionary tale about how a vulnerable black woman, was repeatedly failed by the system. A catalogue of missed opportunities to protect her. Accountability ultimately falling between the cracks, with no one deemed responsible for her lost life.
A woman who in the call of duty, was murdered – plain and simple.
This remains an all too familiar tale for minority women who are repeatedly silenced, forgotten about, ignored, erased.
Time to reflect
Black history month is a time to take stock. To champion the black community, who for so many years have had their stories muted and rendered invisible.
To really think about those people, ordinary people who are chipping away at institutional, societal, interpersonal, and unconscious bias.
During this month, I would ask everybody to please think about Belly Mujinga. Her tragic loss of life should never be forgotten. A black mother, who worked on the front-line in the rail industry and who was assaulted for simply doing her job. A true hero – in my eyes.
Black History Month is important, but so is the rest of the year, as we create new stories and shine a light on stories that are buried away. It’s time to join in and use this opportunity to make a difference.
Written by Nafisa Nathani, Southern Region Lead, Cultural Fusion, Network Rail. Cultural Fusion is Network Rail’s race equality network. Our Vision is to have an organisation that fully embraces diversity and equality in which everyone feels valued and can develop and excel without limitations. Cultural Fusion is open to all those who work in the rail sector, allies as well as minority ethnic colleagues. To join, please email Culturalfusion@networkrail.co.uk.
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