Invisible Labour: When Recognition Is a Privilege, Not a Given

Time and time again, I have experienced not being credited as the creator of ideas, programmes, or strategies being implemented. The effect of this has been exhausting. When this happens, I find myself caught between speaking up for myself (and subsequently being viewed through the ‘White gaze’ as too outspoken) and being met with silence—both from others and from myself. This oscillation between hyper-visibility and invisibility is something I have experienced across various sectors, a persistent form of racialised marginalisation that continues today. It is a stark reminder that the colonisation of ideas and creative endeavours is still very much present.

It often feels as though I am expected to ‘know my place’—to serve as an appendage to those who uphold a racialised hierarchy, rather than being recognised as the originator of my own work. The choice I face is often a painful one: do I risk being perceived as the ‘Angry Black Woman’ for claiming my intellectual property and refusing to be relegated to a supporting role? Or do I internalise my frustration, allowing silence to swallow my contributions?

The answer depends.

It depends on how much energy I have. It depends on whether I have allies willing to support me. It depends on the individuals perpetuating these behaviours.

The world of anti-racism work is complex and challenging, but it is also rewarding to witness leaders commit to understanding how racism manifests in their institutions and within themselves. However, true commitment to dismantling these structures must go beyond surface-level engagement. It requires careful consideration when referencing and acknowledging contributions, ensuring that those from Global Majority Black backgrounds are not rendered invisible in conversations about change. The fight against racism is not just about policy shifts—it is also about ensuring that intellectual and creative labour is rightfully credited to those who produce it.