A Letter to the People: On Southport Stabbings and Racial Violence
On Monday 29th July, the UK was shaken by the horrific Southport stabbings, an event that precipitated a wave of violence and unrest across the country. The subsequent racial riots and anti-hate marches have left an indelible mark on our society, revealing deep-seated issues that we must address with urgency and compassion. The team at RARA feel compelled to respond to these events and offer our support to those affected.
As such, we extend our deepest condolences to the families directly affected by the recent tragedies. We also emphasise with, and offer our sincere apologies to the Muslim communities that have been unfairly, violently, and heinously targeted as a result of the dissemination of misinformation.
Our hearts go out to the Black, Asian, and ethnic minority individuals, neighborhoods, communities, and groups who have been subjected to various forms of targeted racism and Islamophobia. We are profoundly saddened by the state of depravity that has befallen the UK over the past two weeks and we understand that these events have been very telling and deeply distressing to many.
However, amidst this turmoil, we acknowledge with gratitude the brave and bold efforts of those who have stood up to incidences of racial violence, Islamophobia and hate through peaceful protests this week. It is encouraging to witness the impact of collective action, as peaceful demonstrators have outnumbered the perpetrators with a resounding presence. Allyship and collective action have been epitomised by their course of action.
Despite these efforts, much damage has been done, and much reparations are needed. We strongly believe that reconciliation along racial lines is essential if society is to take any steps forward. As such, we are committed to supporting individuals and organisations in processing, debriefing, and navigating the next steps forward following the events of the past two weeks.
At this time, we will be reaching out to our clients, customers, partners, friends, and acquaintances in the community to offer various means of support for staff, students, and stakeholders at various levels. Our goal is to ensure that organisations are equipped to safely and appropriately engage with and respond to the current climate with urgency and sensitivity.
As we navigate this critical period, we stand ready to assist in fostering working and learning spaces that offer both physical and psychological safety for all stakeholders. Nobody should be made to feel unsafe in their places of work and learning. We want to ensure that critical safeguarding measures are put in place as a matter of urgency, particularly before the next academic year commences.
We believe in the power of education, critical dialogue, and collective action towards healing and rebuilding our communities. We recognise that this is a mammoth task, nevertheless, we wish to make a meaningful contribution towards making the world a safer place for all.
As we navigate through it way forward, we urge the community to come together in strength, solidarity and support. The path to healing and reconciliation is not one we can walk alone. We also invite you to reach out to the team at RARA at info@raraeducation.org should you or your organisation need assistance in navigating these challenging times. Whether you require guidance, resources, or a safe space to express your concerns, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Please do not hesitate to contact us—we are ready to listen, assist, and work alongside you.
In solidarity,
Our Team
