BAME or not to BAME ? Could this be what is preventing Race Equality ?

There has been an increase in content and discussions recently regarding the language we use especially BAME (Black Asian & Minority Ethnic).

It seems there is a real divide amongst those who feel for or against it.

It can be fully appreciated that everyone is an individual and what to be seen and identified as an individual and not placed under the BAME umbrella, e.g. some people see themselves as a Muslim man, others Pakistani, some may say a Black woman, others a British Nigerian to highlight just a few.

An unhelpful distraction

The issue is we are trying to tackle race and racism and inequality and disadvantage- does all the above become an unhelpful distraction?

As per any good ‘marketing’ that has cut through; to create a united purpose and focus we need to make the focus simple.

Those being referred to under the BAME umbrella, need to unite so the millions of voices becomes one loud voice vs million of single voices unheard.

A unique moment

It is clear that with the impact of Covid on the lives and finances of the BAME population, the Black Lives Matter movement and what happened to George Floyd has created a UNQIUE and unified voice, anger and passion here in the UK amongst the masses and beyond.

Yes, a lot of the headlines are because of the impact on Black people, but it is the uniting of Black people, Asians, Muslims, White people, Nigerians, POC, Pakistanis and more that is creating this movement.

I believe that the LGBTQ+ movement has made significant progress in recent years because the individuals are united….all individuals having one voice.

The Question

So my question is, whilst appreciating and accepting we are all individuals, and we should celebrate everyone’s individuality; for the purpose of creating meaningful change with regard to race in the UK, can the 8 million+ individuals unite under BAME to get to our goal?

I would like to suggest the importance of not spending time and energy arguing and getting angry about the word(s) we use as it is distracting us from the real goal = equality and equity.

Maybe after we get to = then we can reopen the debate ‘To BAME or not to BAME’ .

Then again I am just one voice that alone can make no difference!