I’ve been reflecting on yesterday’s UCU NEC debate, which hinged in part on the term BIPOC, which came from North America, but has become prominent on social media and elsewhere, as opposed to Black, which UCU uses for all people of colour, and to structure its anti-racist work.

BIPOC is not a perfect term (what is?), but as a white person born on Turrbal/Jagera country I’ve been surprised since moving to the UK about the general ignorance of indigenous people’s experiences, even amongst those on the Left. At least BIPOC attempts to recognize that.

In Australia, recognition of the continued relationship to land, water and country by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and paying respect to elders is normalized in many contexts. It’s not enough, but it is a regular reminder of settler colonialism and resistance.

The effect of British colonization of indigenous people across the globe is much further from the day-to-day lived experiences of most British people. That’s one reason why the movement to decolonize the curriculum (and more) is about much more than just diversification.

Anyway, I wish that the debate yesterday was less defensive about “new” terms and more open to the idea that migrant members, particularly POC migrants, have experiences and understandings of racism and colonization that might help our union be better.