It is of course our hope that - one day - the phrase ‘White Privilege’ will cease to have relevance.
In the meantime Barnardo’s, as the UK’s largest children’s charity has a responsibility to raise awareness of all issues affecting children - no matter how difficult or uncomfortable. Four in five of our service users are white - and we know only too well the inequality and disadvantage they face daily.
For the one in five Barnardo’s service users who are Black, Asian or minority ethnic, the colour of their skin is an additional factor that negatively affects them and their families in a multitude of well documented ways.
Helping children and those who nurture them, to understand what white privilege really means will not only prevent future generations from growing up to ignore race as an issue - but to be actively anti-racist through their actions.
When our children’s children enter the world, Barnardo’s hopes the phrase will no longer hold any relevance.
Until then we will keep on working towards a positive future for all children - and we hope you will join us in doing so.