The ‘R’ Word

Race and racism remain an inescapable part of the lives of black people. Daily slights, often rooted in the fears and misperceptions of the ‘other’, still damage lives. But does race matter as much as it used to? Many argue the post-racial society is upon us and racism is no longer a block on opportunity.

Skin colour has followed Kurt Barling around since the age of four, when he wished ‘I had blond hair and blue eyes’. He grew up in a confused and confusing world, in which ‘blackness’ defined so much social discourse. Racist press coverage of the Broadwater Farm riots in 1985 helped Barling decide on a career in journalism. In the thirty years since the riots, much has changed. Overt racism is certainly much less present. Music, youth culture, sport and the obsession with the body beautiful have all made ‘blackness’ commercial. But is this all just an illusion conveniently masking a culture of denial? The ‘R’ Word explores a changing country in a changing world, and our relationship with notions of race and racism.