Brian Richardson: Anti-Racist Activist and Criminal Barrister

As the Black Lives Matter protests erupt around the world, I sat down with Brian Richardson, a criminal barrister and anti-racist activist. Now a leading figure in Stand Up to Racism, he has worked for the Anti Nazi League and has been involved in the campaign for justice for the Grenfell community..

As a barrister, Brian has only ever done defence - standing up for some of the poorest and most marginalised individuals in society. He is with Nexus chambers with Michael Mansfield, a titan of social justice campaigns in the UK. Brian has authored books including “Say It Loud: Marxism and the Fight Against Racism”; “Tell It Like It Is: How Our Schools Fail Black Children”; and “Bob Marley: Roots, Reggae and Revolution”. 

Brian is my partner, and there has never been a better time to interview him. The death of George Floyd has not just prompted global protests - it has also sparked conversations about racism in workplaces, on social media - and closer to home. 

We sat down to discuss questions such as what is racism? Where does racism come from? What is white privilege? Can white people be anti-racist allies? Is there racism the criminal justice system? And should we remove racist statues?

As with every episode of Future Heist -  resources and action points for activists.

Follow Brian on Twitter @Richardson67B. Follow Stand Up to Racism on Facebook, Twitter, or learn more at standuptoracism.org.uk.

Follow Future Heist on Instagram and Twitter @future_heist for episode updates, news and giveaways. 

Read a full transcript of this episode on RenatheJournalist.com/podcast

Produced and recorded by Rena Niamh Smith. Theme music by Benjamin Tassie. Artwork by Fleur Beck. Sound engineering by Gibran Farrah. Consultation by Ben Weaver-Hincks. Original illustrations and social media editing by Charlotte Rose Watts. Special thanks to Chloe Vasseghi