Local Racism: A Tale of Two Cities
Our project was created to address a shared challenge in both Camden and Birmingham – the ongoing impact of structural racism on resident outcomes. The project aimed to support local residents to play an active role in research and learning about their local area. By working with older and younger generations, we wanted to begin to develop a shared and inter-generational understanding of the root causes of racial inequity specific to each locality. In this first phase, we undertook initial engagement to develop a larger research project. We explored residents’ projects aspirations and co-produced inclusive ways of working throughout the project.
Gender
Community Researchers
Female: 5
Male: 4
Ethnicity
Ethnic groups of the researchers
Housing
Social Housing: 5
Temporary Housing: 2
Private Housing: 1
Key Findings
Public Amenities
Valued multi- cultural High Street with good representation
Good outdoor spaces for men to access free exercise
Lack of affordable safe spaces to exercise for women
Not enough outdoor safe spaces for children
Power, Representation & Investment
Lack of trust between policy makers & leaders who make decisions
Sense of gatekeeping of wealth by policy makers, businesses, developers and estate tenants associations
Residents don't feel heard
Not enough investment like there is in the south of Camden
Education
Bad experience of education due to lack of training and cultural awareness and support from teachers
White-washed curriculum, increasing exclusion rates and experience of micro-aggressions
Lack of SEN support for children and parents from racialised communities
Housing
Much of Kilburn’s Global Majority communities live in social housing and suffer from overcrowding & poor maintenance
Sense of restriction and imprisonment within estates, lack of integration within communities
Unaffordable housing pushing communities out
Young people & communities living in temp accommodation are overlooked
Housing system is re-enforcing racial inequalities
Employment
Local jobs in Kilburn are not paying enough
Young, racialised residents don’t have relatable leaders in the community to aspire to
Global businesses like Google are not reaching the Kilburn community
Lack of pathways created for young people
Leading to young people particularly from ethnic minorities getting involved in illegal activities like drug dealing
Community Infrastructure
Inequalities of access to opportunities, funding and community infrastructure for racially diverse communities
Services that used to protect and benefit the community have closed
Increased devision between communities, lack of space for community cohesion
No 0-5 services for children
Lack of targeted outreach for marginalised communities
Crime & Safety
Policing not being a priority in Kilburn compared to wealthier areas
Lack of Police presence resulting in high levels of crime effecting marginalised communities
Lack of Youth Services & intervention for Young People
Women rather use West Hampstead station as they feel safer walking through there
Drug dealing & misuse are left unchallenged, this effects young black & brown men most
“We exist between some of the richest areas, and I think because of that, are one of the most forgotten places.”
Recommendations
Investing in quality youth services with interventions and mentoring to protect young racialised men. Prioritising black and brown residents in quality employment initiatives for leadership access. Supporting initiatives that foster familiarity, enhance understanding, and promote affordable, safe spaces for racialised women's wellbeing and community activism.
Racially Equitable Funding & Investment
Inclusive Labour Market
Kilburn residents seek benefits from regeneration through the promotion of equitable access to employment opportunities for underrepresented black and brown residents, including targeted training for the Black and Arab community and at-risk young men. Policymakers can collaborate with local services to address challenges faced by youth affected by violence and improve infrastructure for labor market access in Camden.
Representative Decision Making & Policy
Establishing policies for equal access and maintenance regardless of neighbourhood demographics. Promoting transparent decision-making processes involving community voices for collective action against structural inequalities in collaboration with local government and representatives.