MY JOURNEY OF REJECTION: Navigating racism, restorative justice, and cancel culture in the workplace.

BY DES T.

As I sit here, reflecting on my journey, I can’t help but think about the sting of rejection and the harsh reality of dealing with racism at work. As a senior member of the team, I used to think my position protected me from the deep-seated biases that still exist in our society. But when I decided to speak out against racism, I was met with hostility and left feeling isolated, even from people I once thought were my friends and colleagues.

Restorative justice, which is all about healing and reconciliation, is often championed as the way to tackle systemic injustices. Yet, in my experience, trying to achieve restorative justice has been a real struggle, as people resisted and were reluctant to admit the harm that had been done.

When I first spoke out about racist behaviour at work, I naively thought my colleagues would be open to listening, learning, and working towards real change. Instead, I was faced with defensiveness, gaslighting, and attempts to discredit what I had experienced. Rather than taking time for self-reflection and growth, many of my colleagues dug their heels in, unwilling to face their own prejudices.

The rejection I felt wasn’t just about work; it cut deeply on a personal level. Friends turned their backs on me, choosing to distance themselves instead of confronting the difficult truths I had laid out. The subtle ways I was pushed aside – being unfollowed on social media, left out of group chats, and overlooked in meetings – were constant reminders of my new outsider status.

In the midst of this rejection, I found comfort in connecting with like-minded people who shared my commitment to justice and equality. Together, we created spaces for healing and support, where our voices were heard, and our experiences were recognised. Through collective action and advocacy, we refused to be ignored or sidelined by those keen to keep things as they were.

But even with the strength I found in community, the wounds of rejection still ran deep. The hurt caused by betrayal and being abandoned stayed with me long after the initial shock had worn off. The path to healing wasn’t an easy one, marked by moments of doubt and despair, but it was ultimately guided by a belief in the power of resilience and resistance.

Looking back on my journey, I realise the crucial role restorative justice plays in addressing racism in the workplace. It’s not enough just to call out injustices; we have to be willing to engage in the tough work of reconciliation and repair. It’s only through genuine dialogue, empathy, and accountability that we can start to dismantle the systems of oppression that continue to uphold inequality.

My experience serves as a reminder of the dangers of complacency and complicity when faced with injustice. I hope that by sharing my story, others will feel encouraged to confront racism directly and to embrace the transformative potential of restorative justice, helping to create workplaces that are genuinely fair and inclusive.