The power of knowing your purpose | Natalie & Naomi Evans | TEDxTeesside

Quick Overview

Sisters Natalie and Naomi Evans established 'Everyday Racism' in 2019 after experiencing blatant racism on a train in the UK, creating a platform to educate people about systemic oppression and encouraging collective action to unravel societal injustices.

Key Points: Natalie and Naomi Evans founded the organization 'Everyday Racism' in 2019 following a racist incident on a train in the UK. The sisters grew up in Margate, a seaside town that experienced economic decline and became a hotspot for far-right activity, which informed their work. They noted that major political figures often failed to address racism or even actively engaged in gaslighting and denying racism's existence. The organization has grown significantly, reaching over 240,000 followers on Instagram and writing two books. They deliver anti-racism workshops to thousands of teachers, students, and community groups across the UK. Their mission is rooted in the Fannie Lou Hamer quote: "Nobody's free until everyone is free," emphasizing the interconnected nature of struggles like racism, Islamophobia, and classism. They urge listeners to find their individual 'thread'—their purpose—and apply their energy locally to begin unraveling systemic oppression.

Context: Sisters Naomi Evans (she/they) and Natalie Evans (she/her) share the personal story of how they co-founded 'Everyday Racism' following a specific incident of racism they experienced in 2019 while traveling on a train in the UK. They explain that their upbringing in Margate, a seaside town facing socio-economic challenges and political extremism, provided the backdrop for recognizing systemic issues and realizing the need for a dedicated platform.

Detailed Analysis

Sisters Naomi and Natalie Evans detail the origin and mission of their organization, 'Everyday Racism,' which began after a traumatic racist incident on a UK train in 2019, where they were emboldened and encouraged by major political figures to do very little about it. This experience, coupled with growing up in Margate where socio-economic challenges and far-right activity were prevalent, spurred them to create a platform. They cite the experience of being ignored by a ticket conductor as a catalyst. The organization aims to combat systemic oppression by working with various groups, including those fighting for climate justice, racial equality, and marginalized artists. They highlight the fact that racism, antisemitism, transphobia, and Islamophobia are all interconnected systems of hierarchy that erode humanity. They reference the quote by Fannie Lou Hamer: "Nobody's free until everyone is free," suggesting that focusing on one thread helps unravel the whole cloth of injustice. Their work involves delivering anti-racism workshops to thousands of teachers and students across the UK and lobbying the government to treat racism as a safeguarding issue. The core message is an empowering call to action: find your specific 'thread'—your purpose—and start making change locally, as collective small actions lead to big systemic change.