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Challenging systems that discriminate - and bringing people together

As we come to the end of National Inclusion Week, The Wildlife Trusts’ Naftal Zinyemba shares what being labelled as ‘woke’ means to him.

I have been working for The Wildlife Trusts for a year now, first as an intern and now as an Equality, Diversity and Intern Officer.  

Prior to that I worked as a support worker for end-of-life patients and working to support young people in my community.  

At The Wildlife Trusts, I support the co-chairs with the six staff networks that we have and support minority groups within our organisation.  

The reason I love this job is because I understand how important it is to be an ally for community groups that are discriminated against. 

Being in a space where I can do that, whether it be policy work, being an ear for someone to talk to, or creating safe spaces for people to connect and have a sense of belonging: This is the reason why I wake up every morning with a smile on my face.  

Naftal Zinyemba smiling at the camera

As a black man, I have been a subject of discrimination and barriers that have systematically been in place for hundreds of years. Therefore, being in a position where I can challenge those systems and create a space where people feel welcome and like they belong is a goal of mine.  

For me, I feel it’s a privilege when people call EDI work ‘woke’ because it means it has a purpose. Being woke in my community is being conscious of the injustice that vulnerable people in society are experiencing. Thus, when you’re woke, you fight those challenges and systems that oppress those who should be protected in our communities.  

My occupation has given me this amazing opportunity to do just that. Now is the time. 

We can’t go backwards when it comes to supporting one another

Back in 2020 everyone was up in arms because coverage of the treatment of People of Colour (POC) by police was at an all-time high. It was the first time I felt safe in the UK. The reaction was huge - everyone understood that there was something wrong with the system.  

Conversations started happening, from protests to organisations upping their policies, and people wanted to make a change. That change was EDI work.  

However, recently, led by America, EDI has been labelled ‘woke nonsense’ or ‘radical leftism’. I was shocked, because my understanding of what ‘woke’ and ‘EDI’ are seemed different to what the media or certain politicians claimed it to be.  

EDI is about supporting and helping people and creating safe spaces which are accessible to everyone. How could we as a society be going backwards when it comes to supporting one another? 

If a person of colour (POC) is hired by a company, no matter their skills and experience, they were now being labelled as an EDI (or DEI, as referred to in America) hire.  

This made me uneasy because growing up I was often told that, because of my skin colour, I have to work twice as hard. Why is it a problem that we are making the playing field even? In addition, there has been a rise in transphobia and discrimination for people with disabilities. That makes me afraid that those who have protected characteristics will be targeted.  

But all of this leaves me wanting to do more and gives me the determination I need to make sure that I am an EDI champion - because that’s how we can combat the racism and bigotry. The Wildlife Trusts has been very clear that EDI is here to stay because we see the benefits, it is not just for work internally, but for the communities that we support too. 


Everyone should be able to experience nature 

Nature is for everyone. That’s a slogan that is very deep in my heart and a slogan I will continue to shout from the top of the roof.  

In order for us to protect and conserve nature spaces we need to work together for the sake of nature recovery. The only way to do this is if we all feel like we belong in those nature spaces and to feel like we are a part of nature.  

Everyone should be able to experience nature through their lens especially those from the protected characteristics. Nature is a unique experience that everyone should have the access to. Now is the time to be an ally for those who don’t have access to nature spaces, and most importantly an ally for nature. 

#NowIsTheTime for us.  

 

National Inclusion Week is dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to build inclusive workplaces. “Now is the Time” has been chosen as the theme due to the urgency and importance of inclusion, influenced by the recent backlash against inclusion and diversity.   

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