Corra’s statement in solidarity with Black and racially minoritised communities

In August 2024, Corra Foundation made a statement on racist violence in the UK in response to the racist riots which were impacting many communities across the country. A year later, we are saddened to see a further escalation of racist, Islamophobic, and anti-migration rhetoric and violence.

We stand in solidarity with Black and racially minoritised communities impacted by racist violence, the increasing threat of the far-right, and daily experiences of a hostile environment. These incidents aren’t isolated or random but reflect a society in which some use their power to foster division. We strongly condemn this and recognise that at Corra we also hold power and influence and must use our voice to advocate for racial justice.

Anti-racist action is incumbent on all of us and should never sit only with communities impacted. A co-ordinated and collaborative response is needed from policy makers, duty bearers and funders to challenge, and to invest in and support front line services and long-term strategic change.

We are privileged to support a wide range of groups across Scotland who are standing firm in solidarity. Small community-led groups are how we come together in our neighbourhoods, get to know one another, and understand diversity as strength not threat. Many of these groups provide essential services and much needed support to Black and racially minoritised communities. Many are responding with kindness, care and compassion to people seeking safety and sanctuary. We are listening deeply and recognise the impact of increased racism here, as well as of global events, particularly genocide, conflict and climate change. We know that many groups, their staff and those they support are under severe pressures and operating at full capacity.

We’d like to extend an invitation of support to the communities we work alongside. If you would like to speak with us about what we can do to help, for example flexibility around funding or reporting requirements, please get in touch by emailing hello@corra.scot or calling 0131 444 4020 or the person in our team you know best.

On writing this statement, we spent time reflecting on some of the community stories written by Corra’s grant holders from Black and racially minoritised communities. Hope, solidarity and friendships are the threads woven through the community stories. The stories remind us of the strength found in coming together, of resistance in times of conflict, of rebuilding when we are breaking. Stories can build empathy and create narrative change, letting us imagine what’s possible and (re)design systems that work for people and planet. At Corra we’re committed to standing alongside those who are weaving these stories and a future marked by connection, humanity and hope.

ENDS

Notes

1. Racism is a structural problem and the solution must be structural too. As funders, we need to support work that tackles structural racism. This will be resource-intensive and long-term.
2. We want to do better in how we work alongside people from Black and racially minoritised communities. We will listen, learn and help amplify people’s voices so Corra, and wider society, can be part of the solution to racial injustice.
3. Racial equity and racial justice are themes integral to Corra’s Ten Year Strategy. A strategy response to the world we live in and most importantly, the one we want to play a part in building. We’ll continue to act on our commitments to anti-racism and share our progress on our website.