Penny Biggs in conversation with Claire Nix
Have you ever experienced prejudice yourself, Penny?
Penny: As a child my toes turned inwards and I have faint memories of other pupils mimicking my walk, and feeling really uncomfortable. As a mother I also remember a moment when Jack became very stressed in a crowded shop door way and lay down on the floor. I was with a friend who said: ‘Pen look at me, don’t look at the crowd. Let’s help Jack get to a place of quiet and safety and not worry about the disapproving people’. There are also plenty of times when we are on our way out and it feels as if we are there to entertain others. Sometimes it can feel like prejudice, but other times it feels as if people are sharing in our joy as Jack sings Yes, Jesus loves me, at the top of his voice in a train carriage.
Jacks syndrome is 22q also known as DiGeorge syndrome. It’s basically a missing chromosome. The syndrome occurs in 1 in 2,000 births. Due to lots of amazing help from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) since he was tiny he is now the amazing boy we have today
Jack has a sub mucus soft cleft palate and had 2 complete reconstructive palate surgeries at GOSH at age 3 and 7 but may never talk like us. Most people with 22q have various degrees of cleft palate their palate is formed differently to ours. His feet are also different and he has weak muscle tone. He used to be prone to being clumsy and falling over a lot due to this. He has auto immune issues and an impaired immune system. He gets unwell all the time and does go downhill quickly. Things like Covid-19 are very scary. He is in the vulnerable bracket and we are a shielded family. I’d be happy to talk about this more with anyone who is interested.
Do you think you have ever felt prejudiced against anyone?
Penny: Never. I have been bought up to respect everyone, but also to understand that not everyone has that starting point. I am passionately committed to developing an inclusive society where everyone feels valued. I am a 22q* advocate as that is the condition that Jack has and I think it is important to build awareness and understanding. I am also a special needs advocate and a member of the Parents Teacher Association for Jack’s school to try and build bridges and understanding. I try to use social media to advocate for special needs and to develop knowledge and understanding.
When we discussed the Black Lives Matters movement at the Zoom coffee after the online service you said the shadow of racism breaks your heart. Can you say more about that?
Penny: I take it for granted that everyone is loved and accepted, and I grew up happily with black and white families living and working together. My mum took me to see Mississippi Burning when I was about 15 and that opened my eyes to the damage and evil of racism in America. I felt passionately that I wanted to be part of a positive change. A really happy moment was when I watched Barack Obama and Jo Biden walk into office – a black man and a white man walking side by side. I used to think we were an effective multi-cultural society but I know there is a lot of progress to be made for there to be genuine equality. My heart goes out to families and individuals suffering from long years of struggle and racism.
Quite recently you experienced an episode of racism much closer to home?
Penny: Yes, I worked in a local bar and we had a guest one evening who had too much to drink and starting abusing two black staff members using really offensive racial slurs. It was made even more difficult when, after he left the bar, he waited outside and tried to start a fight after we closed up. The bar owner’s attitude was along the lines of Michele Obama – where they go low, we go high, and he handled the situation calmly and with dignity. It was pretty shocking and devastating for me. The next day the bar owner said “And today we smile”, putting it behind him and trying to encourage me to do the same. I think it is important to be open about these sorts of experiences and, where possible, to show the unacceptability of the behaviour.
You have said that you think the church can be a light shining in hope in these challenging times?
Penny: The recent prayer day against racism was a great start, as well as what we can do through social media to celebrate our shared life in Jesus. It is important to recognise the grief and suffering of racism, and to stand alongside those who experience prejudice and discrimination. I think it is important to be honest with each other when things are not fine and to build strong connections with one another. It is also good to ensure that we extend a smile and a welcome to everyone visiting our churches and to encourage and celebrate diversity in our worship.
Pen – thanks so much for your time and honesty in sharing your views on prejudice.