There are lots of New Scots all over Scotland and they can get stereotyped sometimes.

Young people from minority backgrounds often say they feel different, unseen, or stereotyped. They may also feel proud of their identity and frustrated when it isn’t recognised or respected. As practitioners, we need to notice these emotions and the impact they have on relationships.

Intersectionality is one of those words that is often used but is less easy to define. It does not describe when a person falls into more than one category or group. If that were true, every person’s experience could be described as intersectional.

Intersectionality is a term that was coined by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw who says:

It’s basically a lens, a prism, for seeing the way in which various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other.

Intersectionality can answer questions like: How does care experience interact with being from an ethnic minority? Does being in care exacerbate the discrimination faced by young Black people? We can also ask ourselves the question: What emotions might a young person carry if they are proud of who they are but often stereotyped?

In 2019 Staf reached out to over 40 organisations to find out more about the experience of care for different  ethnic groups. Tellingly, many organisations had not considered the issue before.

Intercultural Youth Scotland published a report  in 2019 that highlighted the frequent discrimination that Black, Asian and minority ethnic students face in Scottish schools. Even when these incidents get reported, the severity is often dismissed, and no further action is taken.  

I got no compassion, the  teacher just said, ‘What do you want me to do about it?’  

In this Guide we have chosen to write out the words ‘Black, Asian and ethnic minorities’. While the  acronym BAME might be helpful in some contexts, it also conflates the  experiences of all ethnic minorities. Taking a person-centred approach is  important. It is also important to highlight the difference between cultural prejudice, islamophobia, anti-Blackness and racism. A person can be subject to all four, but they work differently. Naming the discrimination that someone experiences is hugely important to validate the reality of young people in care. Workers should not be afraid to address the issues and should  speak up for young people.

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·       Talk with young people about how their identity shapes their care experience. Listen carefully, don’t assume, and validate what they share.

·       Be confident in naming racism, islamophobia, or cultural prejudice when you see them. This builds trust and shows solidarity.

·       Educate yourself:

o  Anti-RacismResources Scotland (educators’ collective)

o  Intercultural Youth Scotland

o  Scottish Association of Minority Ethnic Educators (SAMEE)

You can access broader dimensions of intersectionality through Young Scot