Listen, I’ve got the power
Fatma writes about her experience on the Changemakers Lab programme (CML) - from learning about issues such as decolonisiation to getting to grips with tangible campaign skills like power-mapping and 121 conversations.
Some of the key issues that have stood out to me during the labs are that we all as students who all from different parts of the UK really believe strongly about decolonising the education system and we all feel strongly about those in power and how they use their powers. The issues that I personally feel very passionate about is decolonising the education system and building allies because I feel as though many people do want to be allies but they don’t know how to be effective and supportive allies. I do hope that we can raise more awareness on what makes a effective ally and how we can also support the allies.
The labs at CML have helped to reinforce what I have learnt throughout the campaign skill sessions as I have had the chance to delve through and into depth into topics such as intersectionality and race. From the labs there are several tactics that I believe I will use in my everyday life when it comes to planning a campaign in future and this is the power mapping tool, and the listening and 1-2-1 conversations and this is because in order to be on the right footing when starting a campaign you need to make sure that you are meeting everyone’s best interests not only yours and how you build and back the support and power of your campaign with the right people.
The decolonising of the education matters to me because I feel as though within the education system is out-dated and not fit to serve the young people of today because it’s meant to help us grow into mature adults but it does the opposite of that as well as it uses a ‘one size fits all’ approach which means that there is a severe representations of others missing which makes some of us feel left out. I believe that many young people care about this because they feel as though their voices and they as unique and different people do not really matter or have any value or worth. Organisations should work with young people on this to build up hope in which everyone can feel represented and so that they feel as though they are just as equal as everyone else no matter who they are.
Building allies also matters to me because within the everyday life, so many people will face some sort of hate crime or discriminatory abuse just because they are who they are, e.g. race, skin colour, religion, etc. In which, I feel it’s not fair because some people miss out on work and education just to avoid this scenario from happening or even just experiencing it again. Building allies would mean that everyone would stand in solidarity with each other no matter who they are which promotes love over hate. I believe that many young people already do care about this however they aren’t being as effective as they could be because they don’t have the right knowledge or enough support. Organisations should work with young people in the work and education section to help build and develop allyship schemes, which will benefit everyone in the future because everyone will feel comfortable and safe with each other .
Fatma is an education-focused activist, public speaker and social action enthusiast, challenging the thoughts and opinions of those in positions of power, to amplify the change that is possible.
TWT: @Fatoomty03
TWT: @ChangemakersL
