REBOOT: The Myth of the Black Experience

We're STILL not a monolith

Author

Sharon Hurley Hall
April 28, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Hello friends,

Here's our monthly reboot article. It's pretty timely as I've had similar discussions with Black colleagues in the last few weeks. I've taken the opportunity to add links to some relevant articles and to update some of the language.

The Myth of the "Black Experience"

I’m sure a lot of you have been in the position where you’re in a room and something comes up relating to people racialised as Black or to your particular Global Majority group. All of a sudden every head swivels your way and you’re asked for the “Black perspective”.

It happens in schools, during classes and group projects. It happens at work in one-to-one and large meetings. It happens socially, among both friends and strangers. [2025 update: I recently shared some examples from the school context - it can be pretty uncomfortable.]

The Lone Black Student

Being the "only" isn't easy for Black students in the classroom, and educators may do harm without realising it. Sharon Hurley Hall describes some common experiences and suggests some alternative approaches.

www.antiracismnewsletter.com/p/the-lone-black-student

Depending on who you talk to, being on the receiving end of this question can be irritating, hurtful or perceived as racism (because would I presume to ask a person I know who's racialised as white for “the white perspective”? I would not!) I recognise that people are individuals - and complex ones at that. And I’d like white people of my acquaintance - and out in the world - to do the same.

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