Editor’s Letter Volume 9: Privilege

My position as an editor for a magazine that is predominately aimed at people of colour often sees me addressing issues of inequality, whether they be economic, educational, environmental, or to do with health or immigration. 

The invisible thread of white privilege – an unearned and often unrecognised advantage that allows greater access to opportunities to those afforded it – runs deep. However, the theme of this issue ‘privilege’ is not to beat that same drum. Whilst acknowledging that the odds may well be stacked against us in many areas of life, we want to focus instead on those who are fixed upon changing such scarcity into abundance, such as the youths featured in Boxing Factory (page 26) – young Ghanaians who go fist-to-fist, literally hoping to fight their way out of hardship. Or the Seri people, an indigenous group in Mexico, who are determined to protect their sacred land and customs (page 38).

As a young journalist, I had the privilege of having a newspaper editor believe in me enough to give me a jumpstart in my career. From my personal experience, I know how important it is to have someone who looks like me, to not only get a foot through the door but also to share vital experience and information. Derren Lawson, who has a long-standing career in film and television and is dedicated to mentoring young people to similar success, shares the same sentiments in First Word (page 10).

We have the privilege of shepherding the next generation, to stimulate them to broaden their perspectives and ways of thinking. To that end, KOL Social decided to take part in the UK government’s Kickstart scheme to help young and talented professionals to choose the right direction and to maximise their potential. 

I have discovered that in sharing my knowledge, experience and skills, I have also found much to gain. The exchange has revealed forgotten knowledge, given me new ways of perceiving my experience – and even mistakes. By investing in those young professionals, we support not only their professions, goals and vision, but ultimately our wider communities, too.

Sometimes that helping hand can come from those who do not look like me. This summer Visit Denmark invited KOL Social to their beautiful country. Reputed to be one of the happiest places on earth it is not hard to see why with its gastronomic delights, the Tivoli Gardens and exquisite architecture to name but a few. And before you ask, yes Black and brown people live there too.