Space for EVRyone: Introducing Eleanor Lisney
Eleanor Lisney is a Board Member of EVR. She is a co-founder of Sisters of Frida, a collective of disabled women and Culture Access,which supports access, diversity and inclusion with an intersectional approach. She is also on the Board of Disability Arts Online and considers herself as an emerging creative practitioner. She has recently launched a podcast Between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice.
1. What is your heritage?
My heritage is Malaysian Chinese. My parents were from Guangdong. Having been born in Malaysia, the different cultures and faiths also greatly influenced me. I’m part of the global majority (as referred to by Campbell-Stephens, R. in Global Majority; Decolonising the Language and Reframing the Conversation about Race).
2. What reflections and experiences have led you to join EVR?
Having moved around the world somewhat, I realise my childhood and teen impressions have embedded themselves in me. I think I need to check my DNA as well even when I do not believe in stereotypes. My roots are in East and Southeast Asian communities so it seems natural to gravitate towards EVR and to start making a difference there.
3. What does antiracism mean to you?
It means not to be closed, and not to be prejudiced against those we are not familiar with as a result of their culture, skin colour, faith, religion, nationality, and not to discriminate on that basis. It means to actively seek awareness and fight against that discrimination. As I moved away from my hometown, I came to understand that there are people who discriminate against me and those who look like me. It means to fight against that – that is antiracism. Just as to fight against other injustices in society.
4. What is your favourite thing about your heritage?
It’s easy to say cuisine, especially when I belong to a rich heritage which is more than a single ethnicity. Added to that are also the cultures and languages/dialects.
5. What are your hopes for the future
I hope, in the future, people will realise that they belong to a global majority and fight to protect every person's rights while realising and respecting the separate and different heritages and identities within that, wherever we are from or wherever we hope to land. I consider myself privileged, I hope not to forget my duty and obligation as a world citizen.
@elle_in_uk (personal)
Website
Email: elisney@ethoelisney.uk
