PDA BAME Network Newsletter – October 2024

In this issue:

• Reclaiming Narratives: A Black History Month Event
• Tea and Unity: the importance of strength of community
• My experience of racism in the UK
• Pharmacy education, what does the ethnicity data tell us?
• Antisemitism training
• Get involved
• In case you missed it

Reclaiming Narratives: A Black History Month Event

The PDA BAME Network would like to invite you to an online panel event to celebrate Black History Month.

The theme for this year’s Black History Month is Reclaiming Narratives.

It’s time to take control of our stories, celebrate our heritage, and ensure our voices are heard!

This informal networking event will cover reclaiming narratives in pharmacy. Those attending the event will also hear from panel speakers and will be given the opportunity to listen to the panellist’s experiences, share their own experiences and ask questions.

Time: 8 pm to 9.30 pm
Date: Thursday 24 October
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Price: FREE

Learn more about the panellists by clicking here.

All PDA members are welcome to join regardless of whether they regularly attend PDA BAME Network events or if it’s their first time! Please click below for further information and joining details. Registration will close on Tuesday 22 October at 5 pm.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER TODAY

Tea and Unity: the importance of strength in the community

By Locum Pharmacist, Asma

Following the riots over the summer which were motivated by racism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia, the PDA received messages from members expressing that they felt scared and isolated. In response to this, the PDA BAME Network hosted a series of safe space events. Locum pharmacist, Asma attended one of these events and shares her experience.

I attended a PDA Tea and Unity event online which took place a few weeks after the UK riots. Trying to recall the tragic events in Southport seems almost surreal now. I’ll start with a reminder from a fellow attendee, “we must not forget the loss of life that day and the immeasurable pain inflicted on family members and the wider community.”

During the event I got to see and hear from attendees of different faiths and backgrounds. The environment was respectful and supportive.

I had been taken aback by the riots, feeling anxious and angry. How could people feel such senseless hate? How far can misinformation lead people to wrongly attack minorities, particularly Muslims in this case, for society’s problems?

Sharing my thoughts from the event, I recalled getting caught up in the daily news cycle. Only by taking a break from this was I reminded of our capacity for being a tolerant society. Talking to family, friends, and the public reassured me that the majority did not support the riots.

Factual reports have their place in keeping us informed. However, nothing can replace the strength of community when we simply stop and talk to one another.

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My experience of racism in the UK

By GP Practice Pharmacist, Dr Tarvinder S Juss

GP Practice Pharmacist, Dr Tarvinder S Juss reflects on his journey to become a pharmacist and how his ancestral background impacted his experience of the UK after moving here from Africa in 1968. Dr Tarvinder also discusses the recent race riots in the UK and diversity and inclusion.

My ancestors belonged to an Indian caste of woodworkers and metalworkers and were recruited to East Africa by the ruling white British colonists to build the railways.Collectively, the various South Asian communities were also used as the middle management between the British and the indigenous black Africans, and as such were liked by neither group.

I knew that I wasn’t liked in Africa and when I came to the UK in 1968 as an 11-year-old, I felt even more unliked. It was not long after the Wolverhampton politician, Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech that there were skinheads on the streets who weren’t happy about immigration and were beating people up. They gave their practice of harassing South Asian people the name of ‘Paki-bashing’, and the taunt of ‘Paki’ remains to this day.

I remember on one occasion my car broke down in the bare countryside and I popped into a nearby pub to ask to use the phone so I could call the AA. I was told the phone was upstairs and so I couldn’t use it. Instead of calling the AA for me, the landlord turned me away, and customers laughed at me and insulted me as I left.

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Pharmacy education, what does the ethnicity data tell us?

By PDA Policy Officer, Bharat Nathwani

Pharmacy is a clinical profession with a majority of pharmacists identifying as BAME according to register information published by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This trend is likely to continue as UCAS data shows that the majority of applications made to study for the MPharm are from candidates who identify as BAME.

The 2023 data from UCAS shows that 75% of all accepted offers were from candidates who identified as Black, Asian, Mixed or Other.

However, the 2023 UCAS data also shows that Black and Asian students enter the MPharm via the clearing route at a significantly higher rate than White students. The reasons for this may be varied and care needs to be taken when trying to understand this complex data.

The ethnicity awarding gap is well known for all courses. The latest report from AdvanceHE shows that the narrowing of the ethnicity awarding gap has reversed and returned to pre-pandemic levels. This gap also exists for the MPharm. Whilst some MPharm courses have reduced or eliminated this gap, others still have some catching up to do.

Similarly, the pass rate data for the GPhC registration exam also shows a significant and persistent ethnicity gap. The June 2024 results still show a difference of approximately 20% between the pass rate for students who identify as Black or Pakistani compared to White students.

Learn more

• PDA Students
• Public Council meeting – September 2024
• GPhC registers data
• Equality in higher education: statistical reports 2023
• UCAS Undergraduate end of cycle data resources 2023

Antisemitism training

By PDA Organiser and Equalities Lead, Jayne Love

I attended antisemitism training organised by NHS England and delivered by Danny Stone MBE, Chief Executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust on 5 September. The session explored the origins of antisemitism and its modern forms, including conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial, and issues related to Israel and Zionism. We also learnt about the diversity of the Jewish community, with 271,000 people (0.5% of the UK population) identifying as Jewish in the 2021 census.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) defines antisemitism as, “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” While this definition is adopted by the UK government, it is not legally binding and depends on context.

The Community Security Trust (CST) reported a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, with over 1,000 incidents per month this year, compared to 50 per month in 2008. Most cases involve abuse, but threats, assaults, and property desecration also occur, as well as the production of antisemitic literature. Alarmingly, 16% of victims in 2021 were children, and 21% of perpetrators were minors that were often influenced by news and social media and involving a specific antisemitic discourse, motive, or ideology.

Key takeaways from the session included recognising the varied expressions of Jewish identity, the rising prevalence of antisemitism, and the importance of distinguishing legitimate criticism of Israel from antisemitism. During the training we were urged to consider our own unconscious biases and report antisemitic incidents to the CST, police, or HR, and to be an active bystander, calling out antisemitic behaviour when we see it. Additionally, employers should ensure that clear reporting routes and support systems are in place.

Learn more

If you missed the training, make sure you check out these educational resources:

• Antisemitism: What you need to know
• Talking about antisemitism, a guide for union representatives
• Antisemitism, Educational Resources
• CST Publications, Protecting Our Jewish Community