When safety becomes a luxury in a world of enduring racism

This summer, the UK was rocked by riots that thrust the reality of racism into the global spotlight. For many, these events were a shocking revelation. For those of us who experience racism daily, they were a painful reminder of the deep-seated prejudice that continues to plague our society. 

Even though many of us have long understood that racism exists, it has always been a challenge to convey just how real and dangerous it is. The riots brought the issue to the forefront, making it impossible to ignore. We must use this moment to address and confront racism fully, both in the UK and around the world.

My summer of discontentment began on 16 June in the south of France, at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. While Cannes should have been a celebration of creativity and innovation, it instead became the setting for a series of harrowing experiences that highlighted the persistent racism I, and many others, face. As a black woman, founder of Backlight, and author of the Black Pound Report, I’ve dedicated my career to challenging these issues, but nothing prepared me for the racism I encountered this summer.

‘Unsafe and unwelcome’

Within 24 hours of arriving in Cannes, I was subjected to an experience that shook me to my core. 

I had an Uber ride that I can only describe as a nightmare. From the start, the driver’s hostile body language and aggressive driving made it clear that my presence was unwelcome. After accelerating before I could secure my seatbelt, when I pleaded with him to slow down and verify the destination, he ignored me completely, dismissing my attempts to communicate.

As I grew increasingly anxious, I reached to open the window for air, but he forcibly shut it, further heightening my sense of danger. At one point, the driver stopped the vehicle to converse with a passer-by, leaving me frozen in fear. My hands trembled as I fumbled with my phone to use Google Translate, desperate to convey my desire to get out of the car. The driver's treatment was utterly dehumanising – stripping away my dignity and leaving me petrified. 

Deep down, I knew that he wouldn’t have treated someone else in the same way. There’s no doubt in my mind that he chose to disrespect, humiliate and intimidate me because he felt he had the right to do so. This experience wasn't just an instance of bad service; it was an act of racism that made me feel unsafe and unwelcome.

Uber launched an investigation into my experience after Campaign contacted them (see below). To this day, Uber has not personally reached out to me with an apology. It shouldn't require media intervention for a company to address racial harassment with the urgency, respect and accountability it deserves.

Their initial response to my report of racial harassment was very disappointing. Instead of being treated with the seriousness and empathy that this situation demands, I was met with a response that felt just as dismissive as the driver’s racist behaviour. 

They offered a refund and a vague assurance that someone would speak to the driver, but it was clear they had washed their hands of the situation. My ordeal was treated as a mere inconvenience rather than the profoundly distressing and dangerous experience it was. This lack of care only compounded the trauma, making me feel abandoned and unheard.

Adding insult to injury, this wasn’t the only racism and misogyny I encountered in Cannes. On the last night of the festival as I walked towards the Gutter Bar and Hotel Martinez with the Brixton Finishing School cohort, a local person exploded gas from a drink bottle in my face and hurled racial slurs at us. I had to defend myself, pushing away the attacker from our personal space while comforting cohort members who were visibly and emotionally disturbed.

One standout moment was when a member of the BFS cohort said: "Let's get out of here because, at this point, I don't even believe the police will support us." So, these violating and upsetting experiences affected not only me but also others who have faced similar situations. Despite the festival's highlights, these incidents left a bitter taste, underscoring the need for genuine safety and inclusion.

Globally, people of colour face systemic oppression and prejudice, but the UK riots have forced us to confront the issue in a way that can no longer be ignored. The violence, the hate, the fear – these are not isolated incidents. They are part of a larger, more insidious problem that has plagued us for too long. The resurgence of racist rhetoric and far-right violence has made it clear that this fight is far from over. 

Time for action

As Ally Owen, founder of Brixton Finishing School, aptly put it: "I feel it’s the duty of those who hold the privilege to work to resolve the barriers, structures, and negative experiences of those that don’t. In the same way, dismantling misogyny should not be the sole labour of women. Racism should not be the labour of those on the receiving end, to end."

The events of this summer, both in Cannes and in the UK, have underscored the need for a collective reckoning with racism. It’s not enough to acknowledge that racism exists; we must confront it head on, dismantling the structures that perpetuate it. White people need to deal with white people's problems – it’s not my work alone. But those of us who experience racism cannot be silent. We must share our stories, demand accountability and push for change.

The recent UK riots have highlighted to the world what many of us have known all along: racism is a pervasive and dangerous force in society. My experiences this summer are just a small part of a much larger story. But by sharing them, I hope to contribute to a broader understanding of the reality of racism and the urgent need for action. 

With global attention focused on these issues, we have a unique opportunity to make real, lasting change. We must stand up against racism and commit to building a world where everyone feels safe, valued and included – regardless of their identity.

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Lydia Amoah is the chief executive and founder of Backlight

An Uber spokesperson said: “This is an extremely concerning report, which we are fully investigating. Uber has a zero tolerance approach to racism of any form on our platform and anyone found to have behaved in a racist manner would face being permanently removed from the platform. We encourage everyone who uses Uber to report any incidents of racism to us so we can take appropriate action.”