Nakkita Indrani De Silva, Research Administrator
This South Asian Heritage Month has compelled me to deeply reflect on my heritage and how it intertwines with the work we undertake at the Race Equality Foundation . As I consider the legacy of South Asians in Britain, their resistance to racism and activism, I am drawn to a more personal narrative that embodies these themes: the story of my mother, Sunita Devi De Silva.
The narratives of women, particularly those who resist oppression in the quiet resilience of their daily lives, are too often overlooked. My mother’s life is a testament to this uncelebrated form of activism, one that is inextricably linked to the principles of equality and justice that underpin the work done here at the Foundation.
My mother’s journey
At just eighteen, my mother gave birth to her first child, my older brother, Ravi. A few years later, she learned he was autistic, a discovery that resulted in a torrent of stigmatising comments from our community including some claiming Ravi’s condition was a curse or punishment. She found herself in constant battle against these prejudices, fighting not only for recognition of my brother’s needs in schools and health services but also for the respect and dignity he was entitled to as a human being. Despite the overwhelming obstacles, my mother held firm to the belief that Ravi, like his peers, deserved the same opportunities, access to support, and adequate care as everyone else.
Balancing her role as a single mother of three, a full-time caregiver, and a working woman, my mother still found the energy to give back. She volunteered at our local Toy Library Service, organising away days for families of children with learning disabilities. On family trips to Sri Lanka, she orchestrated mass donations of toys, clothes, and supplies to a local orphanage, where many of the children had learning disabilities. Within our community, she was a pillar of support, whether through drafting a letter to our local MP on behalf of someone needing accessibility adjustments or stepping in to relieve a weary carer; she was there, and without fail, with an enormous smile and an even bigger plate of pakoras.
My mother’s tireless advocacy for my brother’s rights and her unwavering support of others is a reflection of the work we champion at the Foundation. We strive to challenge systemic inequalities and ensure that people with learning disabilities, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds, have access to the support and opportunities they deserve.
The Race Equality Foundation: championing individuals with a learning disability
I am profoundly proud of the work we do at the Race Equality Foundation. Our recent initiatives, such as advocating for Annual Health Checks, highlight our commitment to ensuring that no one is disadvantaged due to their learning disability—a cause my mother fervently championed throughout her life. The ‘We Deserve Better’ report, in which the Foundation played a crucial role, sheds light on the harsh reality that systemic inequalities significantly reduce the life expectancy of people with learning disabilities, particularly in ethnic minority communities.
The local community groups that provided my mother with understanding and support, such as the Toy Library, mirror the vital work of organisations we frequently collaborate with, such as the Asian People’s Disability Alliance and our neighbours at the Greenwood Centre.
In light of the recent race riots, the need for unwavering commitment to equality—both in terms of race and disability—is more urgent than ever. Just as my mother stood firm in her commitment to my brother, the Foundation stands firm in its commitment to those who are most marginalised in our society. Although my mother is no longer here, her legacy, like our mission, is a reminder that true change begins at the intersection of love, resilience, and an unyielding demand for equality.
