Intersectionality and what’s lost in translation: what and how can funders and grant donors do to support self-determination and economic empowerment of African and African Caribbean Neurodivergent and Disabled people’s organisations in London.

If time is a finite resource and everything else infinite! What does currency mean to you?

Intersectionality and what’s lost in translation: what and how can funders and grant donors do to support self-determination and economic empowerment of African and African Caribbean Neurodivergent and Disabled people’s organisations in London.

“Our community agrees that promoting truth justice and fairness takes priority”

In January 2023, BME Volunteers CIC wrote to 430 UK Public Authorities. Our findings unveil that there is a distinct lack of “by and for” (Black-Owned or Black–led) provisions for African and African Caribbean People' compared to other ethnicities.  As an ethnic group, we compare unfairly with regard to equitable access to adequate and appropriate public services, social spaces, and activities. Often, we are aggregated as Black or Brown to meet the Equality Act public sector duty by decision-makers. This often leads to feelings of loneliness and depression, which can have a significant impact on an individual's visible and invisible health.

London’s African and African Caribbean Disability Justice Movement: time cost, productivity cost, opportunity cost and what’s lost in translation.

 

Introductions

 

“If time is a finite resource and everything else infinite! What does currency mean to you?”

 

Time cost refers to the amount of time that is required to complete a task or activity. It is the actual time spent on a particular task or activity.

 

Productivity cost, on the other hand, refers to the impact that the time spent on a task or activity has on overall productivity.

 

Opportunity cost is the cost of forgoing the next best alternative when deciding. It is the value of the opportunities that are lost when choosing one option over another.

 

The difference between time cost and productivity cost is that time cost focuses solely on the amount of time spent on a task, while productivity cost considers the impact that the time spent has on overall productivity.

 

For example, if a task takes a long time to complete but does not significantly contribute to overall productivity, the time cost may be high, but the productivity cost may be low.

 

Opportunity cost, on the other hand, is a broader concept that considers the value of the opportunities that are lost when choosing one option over another. It considers the potential benefits or gains that could have been obtained from choosing a different option.

 

For example, if a person chooses to spend their time on one task, they are forgoing the opportunity to spend that time on another task that may have had greater benefits or gains.

 

In summary, time cost focuses on the actual time spent on a task, productivity cost considers the impact of that time on overall productivity, and opportunity cost takes into account the value of the opportunities that are lost when choosing one option over another. ????????????

London's African and African Caribbean Disability Justice Movement is part of the city's social fabric. This movement aims to address the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities within these communities, advocating for their rights and inclusion.

 

However, the movement encounters various costs and barriers, including time cost, productivity cost, opportunity cost, and the loss of effective communication and translation.

 

We explore these costs and their impact on the movement's progress, highlighting the importance of addressing them for a more inclusive society.

 

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  1. Time Cost

 

The African and African Caribbean Disability Justice Movement requires significant and disproportionate time investments from its members to meet the intersectional needs of our communities.

 

Activists and advocates must dedicate their time to organizing trauma-informed events, raising awareness, and lobbying for policy changes.

 

However, this time commitment can be challenging for individuals who already face multiple barriers due to their disabilities, age, ethnicity, profession, and sex.

 

Many individuals with disabilities require additional time for daily tasks, such as personal care or medical appointments. This time constraint can limit their active participation in the movement, hindering its progress.

 

Example: A wheelchair user who requires assistance with daily activities may struggle to find the time to attend meetings or participate in protests due to the additional time needed for personal care. 

  1. Productivity Cost

 

The productivity cost within the African and African Caribbean disability justice movement refers to the potential loss of economic productivity faced by individuals with disabilities.

 

Discrimination and lack of accessibility in the workplace often limit employment opportunities for disabled individuals. Consequently, they may face financial constraints that prevent them from fully engaging in the movement.

 

This productivity cost not only affects individuals' personal lives but also hampers the movement's ability to mobilize resources and sustain its activities.

 

Example: A visually impaired individual who faces employment discrimination may struggle to contribute financially to the movement, limiting their ability to support events or initiatives.

 

  1. Opportunity Cost

 

The opportunity cost within the movement refers to the sacrifices individuals with disabilities make to advocate for their rights.

 

Engaging in activism often requires individuals to divert their time and energy from other aspects of their lives, such as education, career advancement, or personal relationships.

 

This opportunity cost can be particularly challenging for individuals who are already marginalized due to their disabilities, as they may have limited opportunities to begin with.

 

Example: A young person with a disability who chooses to dedicate their time to activism may miss out on educational opportunities or career advancement, impacting their long-term prospects.

 

  1. Lost in Translation

 

Do you agree that effective communication and translation are essential for any movement's success?

 

However, within the African and African Caribbean disability justice community and movement, language barriers and cultural differences can hinder effective communication.

 

This loss in translation can lead to misunderstandings, exclusion, and limited collaboration between different communities and funders.

 

We want to address these barriers by promoting inclusive communication strategies and providing translation services to ensure that all voices are heard and understood.

 

Example: A non-English speaking individual with a disability may struggle to fully participate in meetings or understand important information, leading to their exclusion from decision-making processes.

 

Reflections

 

We face various costs and barriers that hinder our progress. The time cost, productivity cost, opportunity cost, and the loss of effective communication and translation all contribute to the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities within these communities.

 

To create a more inclusive society, it is essential to address these costs by providing support, accessibility, and inclusive communication strategies.

 

By doing so, we can ensure that the voices and rights of individuals with disabilities are recognized and valued, leading to a more just and inclusive London.

 

 African and African Caribbean Equality and Justice Community must come together to work towards greater “by and for” diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility for all families.

 

????????Looking after our physical, psychological, and physiological well-being is vital. Here are 7 areas where small changes may make a big difference:

???? Reframe unhelpful thoughts and be present
????????‍♂️ Exercise in water ???? or swim regularly
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Scan the QR Code in picture and complete form to join our community or for more information, please Email equality@blackmajor.onmicrosoft.com. ????????

 

How does intersectionality impact use of time and resources.

 

What is the true cost to us (individually and collectively) of the various ways we identify compared with other ethnicities in London?

 

Should funders increase funding amounts for Directors and Service Providers delivering in London’s third sector?

 

Intersectionality refers to the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, class, and disability, and how they overlap and intersect to create unique experiences of discrimination and privilege.

 

When considering the impact of intersectionality on the use of time and resources, it is important to recognize that it can both amplify and complicate the costs associated with ‘by and for’ service provision, activism, and social justice movements.

 

On one hand, intersectionality can amplify the time and resource costs for individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups. These individuals often face compounded barriers and discrimination, which can require additional time and effort to navigate.

 

For example, an African Caribbean Special Needs Mother with a disability may face challenges related to racism, sexism, and ableism, all of which require attention and advocacy.

 

This can result in a greater investment of time and resources to address the various forms of discrimination and work towards justice and equality.

 

Moreover, intersectionality can complicate the allocation of resources within social justice movements. Activist organisations and movements often have limited resources, and the needs and priorities of different marginalised groups may vary.

 

This can lead to conflicts and competition for resources, as different groups advocate for their specific concerns. For example, within the African and African Caribbean disability justice movement, there may be tensions between addressing racial disparities and disability-related issues, as both are important but may require different strategies and resources.

 

However, it is important to note that intersectionality is not inherently more expensive.

 

 

Instead, it highlights the need for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to activism and resource allocation.

 

By recognizing and addressing the unique experiences and needs of individuals with intersecting identities, social justice movements can become more effective and inclusive.

 

To mitigate the potential costs associated with intersectionality, we campaign to prioritize intersectional perspectives and voices within movements.

 

This can be achieved by actively involving individuals with intersecting identities in pre, during and post decision-making processes, creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, and ensuring that resources are allocated in a way that addresses the diverse needs of marginalised communities.

 

Would it be fair to write intersectionality can impact the use of time and resources within social justice movements?

 

That it can amplify the costs for individuals with intersecting identities, requiring additional time and effort to address multiple forms of discrimination.

 

Additionally, intersectionality can complicate the allocation of resources within movements, as different marginalised groups may have varying needs and priorities. However, by prioritizing intersectional perspectives and actively involving individuals with intersecting identities, movements can become more inclusive and effective in addressing the unique challenges faced by marginalised communities.

 

Furthermore, addressing intersectionality within social justice movements is not only important for the individuals involved but also for the overall effectiveness and impact of the movement.

 

By recognizing and addressing the intersecting forms of discrimination and privilege, movements can develop more comprehensive and inclusive strategies that address the root causes of oppression.

 

For example, within the African and African Caribbean disability justice movement, an intersectional approach would involve recognizing and addressing the specific challenges faced by individuals who belong to both the African and African Caribbean communities and have disabilities.

 

This could include advocating for culturally sensitive and accessible healthcare services, addressing systemic racism within disability services, and promoting inclusive employment and funding opportunities that consider the unique experiences of individuals with intersecting identities.

 

Moreover, an intersectional approach can also lead to more effective coalition-building and solidarity among different marginalized groups. By recognizing the interconnected nature of oppression, funders enable community to work together to challenge and dismantle systems of discrimination and inequality. This can result in stronger alliances and collective action that have a greater impact on social change.

 

However, it is important to acknowledge that addressing intersectionality within social or racial justice movements requires ongoing learning, reflection, and commitment.

 

It is not enough to simply acknowledge the existence of intersecting identities; movements must actively work to center and uplift the voices and experiences of individuals with intersecting identities.

 

This can be done through inclusive leadership, diverse representation, equity in staff wages and creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration i.e. Disability Justice Community Annual Festival and working group.

 

Black Neurodivergent & Disabled People's Decolonised & Authentic Voice, Fairness & Justice Community. Healing the #physical #psychological #physiological

 

✨"FOR THE CHILDREN, WITH THE CHILDREN, IN THE COMMUNITY"✨