Challenging Racism and Far-Right Views
Why is this resource needed?
Across the UK, we have seen a rise in racist aggression, anti-migrant violence, hate crimes, and the increasing normalisation of extreme, far-right views by public figures. This has led to people in our communities feeling unsafe and facing increasing violence.
While we have seen amazing turn-out from our communities in challenging this aggression- particularly in the North East- tackling the rise of the far-right requires long term, embedded work in our communities- and the VCSE sector is at the frontline of this.
Who is this resource for?
This resource is aimed at anyone who is working, volunteering, or living in the community and wants help with challenging racist, anti-migrant, or far-right views when they encounter them. You could be a volunteer, trustee, youth worker or sports coach- or even just a concerned resident.
Responding to the rise of racist views in our communities requires a range of tools- from knowing how to challenge the views wherever they turn up, to knowing how to report incidents and support victims, to building stronger communities that can challenge racism.
Tools for having difficult conversations
- A leader’s guide to challenging hate: https://www.timefornewways.com/thinking/when-hate-spills-into-workplaces
- ‘Creative conversations’: 7 Habits of Creative Conversation
- Migrant ‘mythbuster’ infosheet: Myth Busting Migration Facts
- Restorative approaches to justice: Restorative-Approaches-for-Communities-in-Conflict.pdf
- Preparing for conversations with a high likelihood of conflict: Crux - How to have a good, difficult conversation
Tools for building community
- Hope not Hate’s anti-racist community resources: Community Resources – HOPE not hate
- A brief guide to relationship-centred approaches: Understand | Relationships Project
- The Bridgebuilder’s handbook: Bridge Builder’s Handbook | Relationships Project
- Forming effective community groups: Effective Groups - Seeds for Change
- Facilitating meetings: Facilitating Meetings - Seeds for Change
- Organising Together across Difference, a self-directed learning module from Citizens UK: Organising Together across Difference - Citizens UK
Reporting hate crimes
- Whole Northumbria Police area (support to report and help decide if something is a crime): Hate Crime Advocacy | Connected Voice
- Newcastle: Reporting Hate Crime | Newcastle City Council
- Gateshead: Hate crime - Gateshead Council
- Stop Hate: Newcastle - Stop Hate UK
More information
- North East Anti-Racism Coalition: North East Anti-Racism Coalition |
- HERE North East (a community archive of Global Majority cultural activism): Home main - HERE North East
- VONNE’s response: Anti-racism support and resources | Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East
- NAVCA’s response: https://www.navca.org.uk/news/our-statement-on-recent-racist-incidents-and-the-importance-of-community
- ACEVO’s ‘Home Truths’ journal on anti-racism: An anti-racism companion journal - ACEVO
Support from Connected Voice
If you are interested in starting a new community group, charity, or social enterprise but aren’t sure where to start, Connected Voice can help you.
Web: Support and Development | Connected Voice
Email: connect@connectedvoice.org.uk
Tel: 0191 235 7021
