Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ipation
Partic
and n
entatio
repres
Bulletin
editor’s
letter
Dr Rob Berkeley
Director
Sarah Isal
Deputy Director
Dr Debbie Weekes-
Bernard
Senior Research &
Policy Analyst
Dr Omar Khan
Senior Research &
Policy Analyst
Jessica Mai Sims
Research & Policy
Analyst WELCOME to the Summer 2010 edition of the online Runnymede Bulletin.
Kjartan Páll Sveinsson As our young coalition government finds its feet, this quarter’s magazine
Research & Policy
Analyst
takes the timely theme of participation and representation.
Phil Mawhinney Our main interview (from page 28) is, fittingly, with Nick Lowles - head of the
Research & Policy Hope not Hate campaign, which we all have to thank for keeping the British
Analyst
National Party out of London’s councils.
Vastiana Belfon
Real Histories Directory Meanwhile, from page 6 our public affairs officer Vicki Butler condenses
Robin Frampton months of campaigning and complex policy ideas into a handy two-page
Publications Editor guide on all things race equality related.
Nina Kelly
Editor, Runnymede
Why do local politicians across the party lines think that greater black and
Online minority ethnic representation matters? Find out on page 27.
Colin Kelly Away from politics, turn to page 14 for a comment from the BBC’s head
Business Development of diversity on how we might encourage more and better ethnic minority
Manager
representation in broadcasting.
Vicki Butler
Public Affairs Officer And away from representation, on page 16 Rosalind Edwards and Chamion
Klara Schmitz Caballero bring together some of the findings of a fascinating research
Project Assistant report looking at single mums bringing up mixed-race children.
Kam Gill
Project Assistant
Guardian readers among you may also have heard mention about an
article on academy schools, exclusions and race equality. Read it in full
Riffat Ahmed
Art Project Manager from page 12.
Rebecca Waller That is far from all, so I’ll leave you to leaf through in your own time and
Administrator explore the rest.
7 Plough Yard
London EC2A 3LP As ever, a massive thank you to all the fabulous people who lent us their
T: 020 7377 9222 thoughts, expertise, words and images to produce this very swiftly pulled
F: 020 7377 6622 together Summer edition. We know your time is precious, and we appreciate
info@runnymedetrust.org
every second of it.
ISSN: 1476-363X
The Runnymede Trust, If you have any feedback or suggestions for what you would like to see in
July 2010. Open access,
some rights reserved, forthcoming bulletins, please get in touch with me at the email address below.
subject to the terms
of Creative Commons
Licence Deed: Attribution-
Non-Commercial-No
Derivative Works 2.0 UK:
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org. For purposes other
than those covered by this
licence, please contact Nina Kelly, Editor
Runnymede.
Runnymede is the UK’s nina@runnymedetrust.org
leading race equality
thinktank. We are a
research-led, non-party
political charity working
to end racism.
Front cover image by Georgie Gallop at the Million Women Rise March 2010
06 On the cover
28 Q&A
Features
08 financial inclusion
Hope not Hate’s Nick Lowles on policy & the coalition
how the campaign is successfully How might our young coalition
tackling the threat of the BNP government affect race equality
in financial inclusion?
06 race equality & the 2010
general election 10 combatting the bnp
A look at the election campaigns Fresh tactics needed in
and results from a race equality campaign against far right
perspective
12 Academies & exclusions
14 Achieving diversity in the As the debate about academy
media industry schools rages, we take a look at
24 ...Wales comment
How does ‘black Welsh’ fit in with
‘black British’? Or doesn’t it? 21 A long way to go
New Lib Dem councillor Lester
25 ...poland Holloway on what’s holding
The Polish political climate has black and minority ethnic
changed since the death of a representation in politics back
retinue of its top politicians
T
he last few months have seen a after the election, Clegg was forced to Party’s first Asian and Black female MPs
variety of changes within the UK retreat on his manifesto commitments on respectively, as well as the UK’s first
political scene. We have had immigration. Instead he has supported Kurdish politician Nadhim Zahawi.
one of the most exciting election the Conservative’s plans for a cap on
campaigns, resulting in the UK’s first non-EU migration. Labour newcomer Chuka Umunna
hung parliament since the 1970s. In this took the seat of Streatham with a 3529
article we examine the events of the last Though race equality was not given majority, while Rushanara Ali achieved
few months and their potential impact on the same attention as immigration in one of Labour’s only gains in the election
race equality. the election campaign, a number of by winning the seat of Bethnal Green and
campaigning groups worked hard to Bow from Respect with an 11,574 majority.
keep it on the electoral agenda.
The election campaign Other new BME MPs included
Organisations including Operation Conservatives Rehman Chishti, Sam
The 2010 election campaign was a
Black Vote (OBV), Equanomics and the Gyimah, Sajid Javid, Kwasi Kwarteng,
historic one for a number of reasons
1990 Trust were particularly active in the Alok Sharma and Paul Uppal. New
– not least because it saw the first
campaign. The groups collaborated to BME Labour MPs included Shabana
televised prime ministerial debates in
produce the Black Manifesto, a document Mahmood, Lisa Nandy, Chi Onwurah,
the UK. While in retrospect the debates
designed to keep race equality issues Yasmin Qureshi, Anas Sarwar and Valerie
appeared to have little impact on the final
high on the political agenda. Vaz, Keith Vaz’s sister.
election result, one of the most striking
aspects was that the public for the first
OBV also hosted the popular Black Britain Veteran BME MPs David Lammy, Diane
time saw Liberal Democrat leader Nick
Decides rally which featured senior Abbott and Adam Afriyie were also
Clegg placed head to head with Brown
parliamentarians Harriet Harman, Vince returned to Westminster with increased
and Cameron – and, for a short while at
Cable and George Osborne. Throughout majorities. In one of the biggest surprises
least, they liked what they saw.
the election campaign, OBV argued that of the night, former transport minister
the black vote could significantly impact and Labour MP Sadiq Khan successfully
While Clegg’s rise to prominence did not
the outcome of the general election, defended his Tooting seat from strong
translate into votes on polling day, it did
highlighting the fact that marginal seats Tory opposition.
draw attention to the Liberal Democrat
could easily be swung by black and
policies on immigration – which had
minority ethnic (BME) votes, in particular However, the evening also saw a number
been seen by many migration rights
highlighting Finchley & Golders Green, of prominent BME parliamentarians lose
groups as being the most progressive of
Battersea, and Crawley. their seats. In one of the tightest battles
the three parties’ policies on the issue.
The Lib Dem’s manifesto for example
called for ‘a route to citizenship’ for non-
documented migrants who had proof The final election result saw a
historic number of ethnic minority
of their residence in the UK for at least
ten years. Meanwhile Labour argued in
favour of their points based system, and
the Conservatives argued for a cap on
numbers of migrants.
MPs elected to parliament
However, Clegg’s policies came under The result
fire in the press as well as the leadership of the election, Labour’s Dawn Butler
debates, with both Brown and Cameron The final election result saw a historic was defeated by Liberal Democrat Sarah
labelling the Lib Dem’s policies as weak. number of ethnic minority MPs elected to Teather, who has since been appointed
Perhaps because of this criticism, if parliament, with the number rising from as an education minister. The pair were
not because of the realities of coalition 14 to 27. Notable winners include Priti previously MPs in neighbouring seats,
politics, when entering government Patel and Helen Grant, the Conservative but boundary changes put the two head-
Unsuccessful Conservative
Party candidate Wilfred
Emmanuel-Jones
R
unnymede’s financial inclusion team sessions, in encouraging marginalised people particularly common among Pakistani and
has been rifling through the new to take up the service. Bangladeshi people. This is partly due to a
government’s coalition agreement cultural appreciation of running a business, but
and listening to the Queen’s speech, Time will tell whether the new government is also a response to the limited opportunities
hungry to know which direction things are really values financial inclusion initiatives and discrimination that BME people face.
moving in. We have been thinking keenly about such as Money Guidance, but we are pleased
how the financial inclusion policy landscape at plans to continue to support this particular
will change under a new government that has scheme. Now operating under the recently-
Concerns
a clear priority to reduce the public deficit created Consumer Financial Education Body,
at a fast rate, and largely by cutting public we are optimistic that Money Guidance will Concerns highlighted by the report include
spending. Which policies will be scrapped, provide financial support to many BME the worry that BME people who are self-
kept or introduced? It is an important time to people in different communities. However, employed will continue to be at risk of
pause, take stock and anticipate what this new receiving advice can only improve people’s pensioner poverty through not being
situation means for race equality. financial situation so far – tackling upstream able to contribute to and receive the S2P.
issues such as a lack of opportunities in the Furthermore, self-employed people will
Our work in the forthcoming couple of labour market and low levels of education are not be auto-enrolled into NEST, they must
years will focus on barriers to money advice central to improving people’s lives. voluntarily opt in. However, even those that
services, pension inequalities and obstacles do so will not benefit from the employer
to saving. We have also been looking at contribution, providing them with fewer
financial inclusion issues among older black
Pensions policy pension savings overall.
and minority ethnic (BME) people. This
Changes in pensions policy are significant Another worry is the plan to increase the State
involves finding out how the disadvantage
given the marked ethnic inequalities in Pension Age to 66 (and eventually 68) at an
and exclusion that older people experience
pensioner poverty. The risk of pensioner even faster rate than planned by the previous
affects their freedom to choose where to retire
poverty among Bangladeshi and Pakistani government, as set out in the Pensions and
to (in the UK or abroad), to live in a decent
people is 49 per cent, compared to 17 per cent Savings Bill. This may particularly affect
home, to contribute to family life and to
for white people. BME people are also less BME people, who often experience high
access appropriate health and other services.
likely than others to have a private pension levels of ill health. Statistics from the 2001
or to receive the State Second Pension (S2P). Census show that Pakistani and Bangladeshi
Progress in money advice people are much more likely than white
To reduce the large number of people British people to suffer a long-term illness
Giving people access to affordable and not saving for retirement, the previous or disability that restricts daily activities.
quality money advice has been a central government developed a policy to ensure Raising the pension age may mean that many
aspect of financial inclusion policy for years. that employers would automatically enrol BME people suffering ill health are forced to
Indeed, March of this year saw the then- their employees into a workplace pension work later into life.
chancellor Alistair Darling MP officially scheme from 2012, giving them the choice of
launch the Money Guidance service, which to opting out. The new government appears
gives free and impartial guidance on a range willing to support auto-enrolment, although it
Work and welfare
of financial matters, from budgeting to is unclear whether it will continue to develop
borrowing to planning for retirement. This NEST, which is a simple pension scheme into Disadvantage in the world of work and
coincided with the publishing of our report which employees, employers and government the resulting low income is at the root of
Seeking Sound Advice: Financial Inclusion would make contributions. much financial exclusion that BME people
and Ethnicity (bit.ly/soundadvice), which experience, such as low levels of savings,
describes Bangladeshi, black Caribbean and We have welcomed these developments, reliance on expensive credit, high levels of
Chinese people’s financial troubles, their recognising that auto-enrolment would help debt. Unemployment is high among BME
desire for money advice and their experiences overcome the inertia that partly explains why communities, particularly among black
of exclusion from existing sources of advice, half of those aged 25 and 34 are not saving and Bangladeshi people. Recent research
such as banks and independent financial for retirement. However, there is a real danger carried out for the Department for Work and
advisers. We then presented to the Financial that advances in policy will do little to enable Pensions (DWP) involved applying for jobs
Services Authority (FSA) the report’s many BME people to save enough to enjoy using application forms containing identical
recommendations on how Money Guidance a comfortable and stable retirement. A report qualifications, but with a variety of names
could include and meet the needs of BME that is with the printers now looks at the associated with different ethnic groups. The
people. These include the important role of barriers to pensions faced by self-employed results showed that job discrimination on the
BME money advisers and face-to-face advice BME people - owning small businesses is basis of ethnicity still exists.
I
The expansion in the number of academy
t is easy, when looking into school as documented in various research studies, schools could see a steep rise in the number of
exclusion rates, to forget that human stories such as Maud Blair’s Why Pick on Me? permanent exclusions. It has been known for
lie behind the numbers. Formula One 2008 Though the public image of excluded pupils sometime that, on average, academies exclude
Drivers’ Champion Lewis Hamilton is one is one of unruly youngsters attacking staff considerably more pupils than LA-maintained
case in point. Aged 16, he was excluded from or other pupils, this is not the reality in schools. However, no data on race and academy
school in a case of mistaken identity after he most cases. The most common reason for exclusions has been available, until now.
witnessed an attack. permanent exclusion is ‘persistent disruptive Earlier this year Runnymede’s exclusions
In his autobiography, My Story, he writes: behaviour’: a very broad and ill-defined area e-conference (bit.ly/exclusions) included an
“I knew I was innocent but (the headteacher) that accounted for more than 30 per cent of exchange about academies and their record on
did not appear to be interested. Subsequent permanent exclusions in the most recently exclusions. A reply by the then Department
letters to the local education authority, our published data. By contrast, physical assaults for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
local MP, the education secretary and even against other pupils and staff accounted for (now the Department for Education) offered
the prime minister, were of no help. No one 15.7 per cent and 11.6 per cent of exclusions the first concrete statement on race and
appeared to listen – no one either wanted to or respectively. Such assaults are of course very academy exclusions. The response said:
had the time. We were on our own, and I was serious, but they do not lie behind the majority “Academies often inherit a large number of
out of school.” of school exclusions. disengaged pupils from their predecessor
Hamilton’s experiences of isolation and schools and need to establish good behaviour
rejection due to this miscarriage of justice
Growth in numbers in order to raise attainment. As the new ethos
are shared by many black pupils each year, Academy schools were established by and behaviour policies are implemented
in an academy’s early days, the number of Of course, it is not possible to guarantee the diversity of the pupil population that
exclusions may rise, but it typically falls that we are comparing like with like. To date they serve. Once again, the exclusions reality
as behaviour improves. Taking account of academies have served more diverse and does not support the public image. The most
academies’ overall exclusion rates (across the disadvantaged populations than the national recent statistics on the impact of exclusions
range of ethnicities), recent analysis has shown average. However, in view of the imminent panels shows that more than 90 per cent of
that there is not a disproportionately higher expansion of academies these figures sound exclusions were not even taken before an
rate of exclusions of black pupils against non- an important warning. Academies exclude appeals panel. This contradicts the idea that
black exclusions in academies compared with significantly more pupils than their local countless appeals are frivolously entered into.
mainstream secondary schools.” authority counterparts. Despite the doubling In total, around 2 per cent of permanent
of exclusion rates for white pupils, a exclusions were eventually overturned by
significant race inequality remains because appeals panels, and so the system hardly
Composition of academies most exclusion rates for black pupils also rise constitutes a huge disruption to the flow
in academies. It is vital that the expansion of exclusions. However, panels are highly
The first thing to note is that, at present, of academy status is carefully monitored for significant to the people who take their
academies are somewhat more diverse than signs of continuing, even worsening, ethnic cases forward in hope of finding justice. In
the pupil population nationally: 62 per cent inequalities in the rate of permanent exclusion. 2007/08 panels found in favour of the parent/
of academy pupils are white, compared with
pupil in around a quarter of cases that were
83 per cent of pupils across LA-maintained
heard. In the last decade for which data are
secondary schools. Appeals panels available, the proportion of appeals that
After their white peers, black pupils
have found in favour of the parent/pupil has
make up the next largest group in academies: Appeals panels represent a vital safeguard
ranged between a high of 37 per cent and a
almost 20 per cent were categorised as black against miscarriages of justice; a chance for
low of 20 per cent.
Caribbean, black African, other black or parents’ voices to be heard. Lewis Hamilton’s
Clearly exclusions are by no means a
mixed (with one white parent and one black experience of exclusion provides a fitting
straightforward issue and panels appear to find
Caribbean or black African parent). This same example. Hamilton’s school career was saved
that a significant proportion raise causes for
group accounted for just 5 per cent of pupils because his father mounted a meticulous
concern. In view of these findings, any move
in LA-maintained secondary schools. defence that persuaded an independent appeal
to abolish appeals panels would be premature
This profile reflects the location of panel to reinstate him.
and, by denying pupils and parents the right
academies; most have been established in Every year significant numbers of
to be heard outside the school, contrary to the
urban areas with greater than average levels permanent exclusions are overturned in this
principles of natural justice.
of disadvantage. However, as academy status way. Hamilton’s experience is important in that
spreads and includes a significant number of it shows the pupil’s side of the story. Appeals
schools that are already performing above the panels are the last hope for those wrongly The effects of exclusion
average, it is likely that the pupil profile will accused who are facing a hugely negative
become less diverse. impact to their future life chances. And yet Exclusion from school is the most serious
appeals panels are frequently scapegoated sanction available to headteachers and
as somehow linked to disruption and permanent exclusion is strongly related to
Race and exclusions indiscipline in society in general, and schools negative academic and social outcomes.
in particular. The coalition government has Pupils who have been permanently excluded
Academies permanently exclude pupils at yet to make any announcement on their future from school are four times more likely to
roughly twice the rate of LA-maintained but pre-election statements cast doubt on their leave education without qualifications and
secondary schools. continued existence. In a 2008 working paper much more likely to come into contact with
Overall, pupils in academies are excluded on behaviour and schools, the Conservative the criminal justice system, according to data
at a rate of 0.42 per cent (which means that party stated: “We will end the right to appeal provided by the Cabinet Office. Academy
around four pupils in every thousand are against exclusion to an independent appeals schools currently exclude a much higher
permanently excluded); the rate for LA- panel, which undermines headteachers’ proportion of their pupils than other types of
maintained secondaries is 0.21 per cent authority and signals that the school cannot school, and their rate of exclusion for black
(roughly two pupils per thousand). cope with violence.” pupils is higher still. As the new government
In academies the relatively high rate of Prior to the 2010 general election, David expands the academy programme, therefore,
exclusion among several groups is striking. Cameron said: “The headteacher should have there is a very real risk of even higher
Black pupils are generally the most likely absolute discretion over excluding pupils who rates of exclusion nationally, with all the
to be excluded from academies; pupils are behaving badly. Right now a headteacher associated financial and social costs this
categorised as ‘any other black background’, can exclude a child who behaves appallingly would involve.
black Caribbean, and mixed: (white and black and the appeals panel can put that kid straight However, this is not an inevitable
Caribbean) are excluded at the rate of 0.74, back into school.” outcome, as the rate of exclusion is
0.72 and 0.64 per cent respectively. The black In our experience appeals panels think long susceptible to external influence. Official
Caribbean rate is 3.6 times that for whites in and hard before reinstating an excluded pupil, targets to reduce exclusion rates in the
an LA-maintained secondary school. not least because of the adverse publicity 1990s made a significant impact, with black
However, white pupils are twice as likely that can be generated as the result of a bad exclusion rates roughly halved within this
to be excluded from academies as from LA- decision. Indeed, many parents have reported period. It is essential that as academy status
maintained schools. By contrast, pupils a sense of fear and bewilderment when facing is taken up by increasing numbers of schools,
categorised as black African or Asian are such panels, often without professional the possible impact on exclusions is taken
marginally less likely to be excluded from representation or support. Furthermore, seriously and genuine safeguards are put in
academies than from other types of school. research suggests that panels rarely reflect place to tackle racial inequality.
I
t is the responsibility of public service ability to accurately reflect the diversity of background. The highest figure of the same
broadcasters to reflect the complexity of the UK’s many audiences. Couple this with research as regards separate television genres
modern society. This means reflecting the using people on-screen who look and sound was 18 per cent – in relation to those appearing
differences within and between the UK’s like modern Britain to present programmes, in soap operas. It is interesting to look at the
communities, nations and regions across all deliver news and appear regularly across all detail too. I was not surprised to see that what
programming and output. What audiences genres in a variety of capacities, and ratings is described as ‘Far Eastern’ in the report were
see, hear or interact with on screen or on air are likely to increase. Moreover the public only represented at 5 per cent, whil the broad
is a representation of the world, channelled service broadcaster will be truly serving the ‘Black’ category was the biggest at 41 per
through the interpretation and production UK’s diverse audiences. cent, followed by South Asian at 32 per cent.
choices of the programme makers. The real challenge is how to make sure the It is early days and robust processes need to
Striving to achieve a fair, sensitive and whole industry recruits, develops and retains be agreed, but it is encouraging that the whole
nuanced portrayal of cultural difference is employees from diverse backgrounds. These industry - public service broadcasters as well
key. Taking care to avoid the stereotypes choices are many and powerful. Decisions as commercial and some independents - are
of old is crucial if programme makers and about subject matter, casting, contributors, now working together far more actively to
broadcasters are to succeed in this purpose. commentary, storylines, scripts, editing, identify ways to build up a true picture of
Authentic portrayal is something audiences music, location, as well as how, when and to what is happening on screen.
recognise as soon as they see it; they expect whom output is promoted, all influence the Returning to the event, Younge compared
to see it, and so they should. ‘reality’ which is then portrayed. This, in turn, viewing now to when, as a child in the 70s, he
can shape the views of society in relation to had excitedly called upstairs to announce the
those groups. fleeting appearance of a black face on screen.
The importance of accuracy Phillips remarked on the numbers of people
from all backgrounds who were interested
For anyone who identifies as being from Is it all white now? enough in the topic to attend the debate at all.
a particular ethnic or cultural community, Given this however, he questioned why there
specificity is all-important. Cultural references, With all that in mind, I attended the Royal are still so few black and minority ethnic
as long as they are accurate and do not appear Television Society event Diversity in (BME) people at the top in the broadcast
gratuitous, will resonate with particular Broadcasting - is it all white now? in May and creative media sector. His contention
audiences because they serve to identify 2010. It was encouraging to hear Equalities was that it is the culture of the industry,
backgrounds, social mores, beliefs and so on. and Human Rights Commission chair which is still underpinned by an innate lack
Such cultural signifiers, and the distinct and Trevor Phillips, Diane Abbott MP, and Pat of confidence in the abilities and leadership
varied representational contexts within which Younge (the BBC’s first black Head of TV potential of ‘the other’ to hold and succeed in
they appear, can also add great richness and Productions) acknowledge that some progress key decision making roles, that still hinders
creative potential. Choosing subject matter had been over the past decade. progress. Abbott, while acknowledging a
that has a universal relevance but which can It is worth noting that headline findings degree of progress, asked why it had been
also appeal in specificity to distinct audience from a report commissioned by Channel 4 so slow in coming. She cited the habit of
groups will be all the more resonant for some. for pan broadcast industry body the Cultural recruiting in one’s own image, particularly
Within drama, storylines must be relevant, Diversity Network do seem to support this in an industry where it is all about who you
and meaningful and written from a position perception. Top line data that was revealed know, as being a key factor that continues to
of experience and understanding within any to representatives from the independent inhibit opportunities for black talent. In the
given representational context. Get the stories broadcasting sector recently show that within words of BBC non-executive director Samir
right and believable characters are far more a snapshot analysis of TV content across C4, Shah in 2008, the problem is not deliberate
likely to follow. BBC1, BBC2, Sky, ITV1 and Five during a discrimination but something which is far
So, achieving diversity off-screen among three-week period in September last year more insidious: ‘cultural cloning’.
the myriad back-room and behind camera 10.2 per cent of the total TV population were A discussion on ways to counter this
personnel can have a huge impact on the identified as being from an ethnic minority phenomenon then focused on the need for
Raising children
A striking distinction between the
concerns of the two sets of lone mothers
relates to changing understandings
of children’s needs over the past half
a century. All the women expressed
similar worries about their financial and
material situations, but the contemporary
mothers also focused on concerns about
supporting their children’s emotional well-
being in relation to their ethnic identities
Photo: Courtesy of Sue Caro
Family relationships
Hostility, rejection and isolation from
their parents and families of origin have
long been thought to be the fate of lone
mothers of mixed racial and ethnic
children. The accounts of both sets of
mothers we looked at for our research
showed a continuation of variability in
experiences of such relationships within
the two time periods. Some have close
and supportive relationships with their
families, others have more strained or
difficult interactions - and not necessarily
due to the fact of having partnered
outside their racial or ethnic group.
O
ver the past two decades, EU discourse has served to
emphasise the positive role of migration for social and
economic development and has highlighted the role
of diasporas in the development of migrants’ countries
of origin. Additionally, national governments have persisted
with the political priority of securing Europe’s external borders
with an increasingly reactive approach to immigration. Many
migration management measures have intensified, particularly
since 9/11 (with the development of citizenship tests, increase in
deportation orders, militarisation of border control and so on); a
tendency which has been heightened by the current economic
eyes and were thus perceptible to the sense, while the risks of resources are then pooled with income from migration in order
civilisation today typically escape perception.” One of the main to meet the needs of families elsewhere.
concepts of the risk society is that of reflexive modernity. Broadly High-risk migration, typically involving non-documented
speaking, this has several interlinking threads. The first is that migrants, can include a spectrum of risks with various
economy, governance and culture are now global, and that the combinations of probability and severity. For example, the
power of the nation-state has diminished. Going alongside this maximum severity risk - that of death - may only be of a small
is an increase in the magnitude and complexity of risks that are probability. However, economic loss, physical abuse, or other
now out of all proportion to any previously encountered, and forms of hardship, though less severe than death, could be
have outgrown the regulatory ability of national state-based much more likely. Making this distinction between the various
legal systems. The risk society, Beck asserts, is also a society types of risk and their levels of severity can refine analysis of
based on ‘individualisation’, that is, traditional social ties are decision-making processes in high-risk migration. Information
being replaced by individualised, choice-based social, political about relative risk in these cases becomes one of numerous
and economic institutions. Though this increases freedom, it factors affecting the decision to migrate, and is often not the
also increases the risks that individuals are forced to take in most important. Often, risk-taking decisions are made on
areas such as employment and welfare – i.e. they may well the basis of risk perceptions, which are in turn influenced by
struggle to earn a basic living. Social hierarchies are now based information about the potential risks involved in the migration
on risk rather than wealth, and people are more focused on the process as well as also personal experience.
distribution of ‘bads’, (or the realisation of untoward risks) than For example, evidence on ‘pirogue migration’ (unauthorised
on the production of goods. migration aboard small boats from West Africa to the Canary
Marginalised people, among them migrants, become Islands) suggests that, in many cases, the migration does
vulnerable to an increasing number of risks, while also not result from ignorance about risks, but from the need to
categorised as being ‘risky’. Those in need of help potentially overcome poverty and hardship. A similar point is observed
are more likely to be seen as a threat and potentially further by U.S border policy analyst, Joseph Nevis, in demonstrating
marginalised or excluded from the societies in which they live. the US government’s use of risk as a tool to discourage
Migrants, and particularly irregular migrants, are more likely unauthorised crossings. The U.S Border Patrol have
to be excluded in their host countries by being categorised increased the number of agents on each major entry corridor
as “risky”. This experience of exclusion then negates full civic such as El Paso or San Diego while developing its use of
membership of a community, hindering migrants’ potential technology; attempting to raise the risk of apprehension high
contribution to wider society. enough to be an effective deterrent.
If states put risks, potential or real, However, there appears to be no
at their heart of their decision making decrease in crossings.
on migration management, migrant Information campaigns that purport
populations will bear the consequences Fact box the assumption that migrants are
of associating migration with risk. While unaware of the dangers involved in high-
risk and uncertainty are pervasive in all Since 1998 more than 4,000 risk migration have proved ineffective.
forms of migration and at all stages of the people have died trying There is indeed no straightforward
migration cycle, this uncertainty should to cross the Mexican-American relationship between risk awareness
not be used to malign migrants and the border. Annually, more than and attitudes to dangerous migration.
migration process. 600,000 migrants are apprehended What appear to be the deciding factor
as they attempt to cross the border for migrants considering a perilous
to the north without documents border crossing, is how dire the life
Reducing risk opportunities they are escaping, rather
More than 5,900 child than the risk involved in the process.
It is important to acknowledge that migrants arrived in the
people decide to migrate for a multitude European Union in 2009, compared
of reasons: poverty, social upheaval, with 3,380 in 2008. The UN High A change of perspective
political turmoil, economic instability, Commission of Refugees (UNHCR)
unstable climates as well as to live and has warned that these children Repressive migration management
earn outside their country of origin. Many could be in danger of abuse policies are, therefore, doomed to fail for
of the factors that lead to migration, such as long as the conceptualisation of risk
as social upheaval, increase a person’s Over the last decade, more remains outdated. As long as the main
vulnerability, but those who migrate than 13,000 bodies have been reason for migrants to leave their country
often do so as a risk reduction strategy. recovered in the Mediterranean, of origin is the lack of opportunities or
In many cases, migration becomes a many of them thought to be right to make a decent life in their home
necessity in order to earn a living, or migrants attempting to reach Italy country, they will continue to run maximum
to escape or recover from traumatic from North Africa. severity risks. Treating migration as a
experiences. The intention of the migrant ‘risk’ needing to be managed has proved
Around 1.7 million Afghan
is to further reduce risks of violence and ineffective. The debate on migration
economic vulnerability. refugees and migrants live
and development should focus on
The American sociologist Douglas in Pakistan, and 933,000 in the identifying positive synergies between
Massey argued that for many migrants, Islamic Republic of Iran migration and risk management, rather
migration was a way to capitalise on the than the development of more restrictive
household’s labour power, as household migration control policies.
T
he question of what makes a voting being elected, 16 Labour and 11 Conservative and electoral systems? First, that the choice of
system proportional is difficult and Just over 4 per cent of parliament is now system does indeed have some effect, but the
contentious, so it is important to BME, compared to roughly 10-11 per cent effect derives from more ‘pure’ proportional
focus on the question of how different BME in the total population; the 2001 Census systems, such as single transferable vote (with
systems may impact black and minority ethnic counted 8 per cent BME people, while the more than one representative per constituency)
(BME) representation in the UK. 2007 estimate for England was 11.3 per cent or party lists. Other considerations include how
According to Nick Clegg in his first speech and, given existing trends, the 2011 Census is constituency boundaries are drawn, and the
as deputy prime minister, more proportional likely to estimate a UK BME population at 11 dispersal of a given population.
systems provide better representation for to 12 per cent Second, however, is that party leadership
under-represented groups. But the evidence The Scotland, Wales and London and commitment to ethnic representation is as
(internationally and in the UK) on this point Assemblies all have mixed voting systems, important as the proportionality of a system in
is more complicated, especially for the AV with the majority decided by FPTP, and increasing the numbers of under-represented
(alternative vote) system on which the coalition between 33 and 44 per cent of their members groups.
government has agreed to hold a referendum. chosen by proportional lists. Scotland and In the Netherlands, for example, the
Most European countries have various Wales have very small BME populations, but popularity of anti-immigrant parties led leaders
kinds of proportional voting systems. Only each assembly has returned one BME member to place black and minority ethnic candidates in
one country - the Netherlands - does as well or through their list system. The Scottish MSP, a high position on their lists, thereby ensuring
better than the UK in terms of the representation Bashir Ahmed, has since died, while the Welsh they would get voted in. If, however, party
of black and minority ethnic people. AM, Mohammad Asghar, defected from Plaid leaders do not select BME candidates for their
The Netherlands has a party list system and Cymru to the Conservative party. list, then such candidates are no more likely to
8 per cent of Dutch MPs are BME (compared In London, the four BME assembly get voted in than they are under FPTP.
to roughly 11 per cent of the population). members (16 per cent) represent roughly half This last point is worth reflecting on in the UK
Conversely, France, which has a non- the proportion of London’s BME population context. In recent Westminster elections, both
proportional voting system, has only 2 BME (35 per cent or more), and only one of the four the Labour Party and the Conservative Party
MPs out of 555, or 0.4 per cent compared to an was elected via the list. While proportional have been able to improve the representation
overall BME population of 12.6 per cent. systems seem to provide greater representation of women and BME people through measures
But countries with more proportional voting of BME people, so far this has provided a quite adopted by the party leadership, namely all-
systems do not always deliver more BME modest effect. Indeed, when Scotland moved to women shortlists and the ‘A-list’. Whatever
representatives. For example, in Germany a single transferable voting (STV) system for the merits of these policies, they have been
(where exactly half of all candidates are selected local elections in 2007, there was no increase successful in increasing representation, even in
on a mixed member proportional system) only in the number of BME councillors. a FPTP electoral system.
1.3 per cent of representatives are from a black The European Parliament election And, of course, the unelected House of Lords
and minority ethnic background, compared to further explains the role that proportional is still more representative than the Commons,
almost 5 per cent of the population. representation (PR) might be able to play in indicating that party leaderships could perhaps
For whatever reason, BME candidates are increasing the number of disadvantaged groups deliver even better results. We should therefore
not selected for their parties’ lists in Germany, on UK representative bodies. There is a slightly be cautious in agreeing with Nick Clegg’s
and indeed elsewhere in Europe. It is of course higher number of BME MEPs from the UK (5.7 claim that PR will increase the representation
also likely that different political cultures, per cent) than there is in the House of Commons of disadvantaged and under-represented groups.
citizenship law, and responses to ethnic (4.1 per cent), but there are three caveats. It is worth bearing in mind that the Liberal
diversity are likely to affect representation First is that there are fewer MEPs, meaning Democrats currently have no BME MPs, and
whatever the electoral system. that they each contribute more to proportionality have only a very small number of women MPs.
It is not always appreciated that the UK has (or indeed disproportionality). Second is that Given that the coalition agreement explicitly
a number of different electoral systems in its the number of overall MEPs from all European states that our future referendum will be on
various representative bodies. The key point is countries is very low indeed (1.1 per cent). the alternative vote only, which is not strictly
that the sorts of proportional systems we have Third is that the House of Lords - a chamber speaking a proportional system at all, there is no
in the UK do not tend to result in a significant that is currently wholly appointed - has a reason to believe that this reform will increase
increase in the number of BME representatives. roughly similar share of BME members (5.2 per the number of women or BME MPs. Without
Westminster elections are decided by cent), as does the UK delegation in Brussels, wider changes in political party leadership,
perhaps the most influential example of first and more than in the House of Commons. membership and procedures, electoral reform
past the post (FPTP). In the 2010 UK general What conclusions can we draw from this will not result in our representatives being any
election, this system resulted in 27 BME MPs admittedly brief study of BME representation more proportionate.
I
n the words of Dr Martin Luther King Jr just about getting black and brown faces into
“We’ve come a long way; we still have a the club, but also recognising that the hopes of
long, long way to go.” This was a comment BME communities rested on their shoulders.
taking stock of gains made in the civil And if they were serious about tackling racism
rights movement. Yet the sentiment equally and disadvantage they could not do it alone;
applies well when reflecting on the increased they needed to organise. Grant was saying, in
numbers of black and minority ethnic MPs at effect, that we still have a long way to go.
the 2010 general election. Today we seem to have come full circle
Since the 1987 breakthrough, when Diane with talk of a UK version of the Congressional
Runnymede 360° is a new national network connecting aspiring and established leaders in
race equality. By joining the network you would increase your knowledge base, improve your
professional skills, and make contacts that may help you in your work, while also contributing to
challenging racism.
Runnymede draws on over forty years’ experience providing research intelligence, policy
influence, and partnership building in order to promote a successful multi-ethnic Britain. The aim
of Runnymede 360° is to bring together the most passionate and innovative thinkers and actors in
race equality from all sectors, backgrounds and regions of the UK. The network meets monthly at
seminars, e-conferences and receptions. It also has an online discussion space to keep up with
the latest current events and policy developments on race equality.
Most importantly, the Runnymede 360° member will have something to say and will want to say it.
Why not apply to join? The deadline for applications is 30 August 2010 for interviews taking
place in the cities of Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow.
For more information on current members and details on how to apply go to:
www.runnymedetrust.org/360net
T
here is currently not a single policy and arts engagement. For instance, a context of racist attitudes, coming from their
European country untouched by the theatre project, working with young people peers and the wider society around them. For
problem of racist violence. Numbers to express and then question some of their this reason, it is important to have a holistic
of incidents seem to be increasing prejudice was effective in preventing young approach to prevention. These are just a few
every year, a trend which goes hand in hand people from engaging in racist violence of the themes discussed in the roundtable and
with the growing popularity of extreme right and harassment in their neighbourhoods. which feature in the roundtable report, out
movements, both in EU member states, as Similarly, a targeted intervention by a youth shortly. In addition, the report includes good-
well as in the European Parliament itself. worker on an estate working with a group practice examples of work carried out by the
Therefore, European countries simply cannot of young people who expressed extremely various organisations present, highlighting
ignore this problem. racist views led to a drastic reduction of racial the unique feature for each project that could
Racist violence and harassment takes harassment in that particular neighbourhood. be replicated in different settings.
various shapes and forms. In some cases, it We have seen a variety of responses to the Broadly speaking, the projects show-
expresses itself through extreme violence, violence affecting minorities in Europe. The cased in the report could be categorised into
such as the recent murders of Roma families in response can depend on the country’s tradition three types. First, those that challenge racist
Hungary at the hands of extreme-right groups. of answering to racist violence, whether it is discourses and change the environment
However, racist violence is not only about the recognised as an issue, whether data on racist through leisure activities or humour. For
extreme cases, it also manifests itself in the violence is available or not, or if for instance example, Les Indivisibles (France) seek to
daily harassment of minority groups because extreme right parties are part of government. identify racist prejudice in public discourse.
of what they look like, whom they worship All these factors have an impact on both levels Rather than directly challenging the language,
they use humour to allow people to think
about it and not take the newspaper headlines
Racist violence is also about for granted as being true. Les Indivisibles
also stage a mock ceremony, handing special
W
ales is light years away from community. The only place I can have in the
London; and north Wales is legislative framework is as an ‘other’.
light years away from Cardiff. The pressure on ethnic minorities is one
Llandudno, where I live, is still of participation and representation, as if there
trying hard to be Victorian. What is ordinary were a unified community or group that we
in London is still extraordinary here. Not that must join. But this sense of nation is for the
there are no tensions between cultures and purpose of power, and only imagined. There
communities in cities across the border, but is no homogenised Welsh community, neither
there is a familiarity, a notion at least of a is there a unified notion of self or a fixed
growing multicultural society. Here in north identity. I am Welsh, West Indian, mixed,
Wales, however, people like me are supposed whatever, and not truly any of these. Identities
to live in London or Manchester, or go back to and nations are ideas - fictions that serve to
where they came from. I am one of a scattered divide people as they bring them together. The
few; not one of many. This makes a huge discourse of power is always about whom to
difference to every aspect of life as a minority leave in and whom to leave out.
ethnic person in Wales.
Over the years, all manner of confusion
has been brought to my door, which has been
Wales as separate
nothing to do with me. But this is the place
Wales has separated itself from England.
I came to when I was a little girl and this is
And it has separated itself from ethnic
the only place I can call home. My mother
minorities, gays and Gypsies, only to then
was Welsh and my upbringing was Welsh. I
claim them back under the rubric of diversity relationship. There are no new meanings and
am Welsh, and yet I do not fit in Wales, and
and inclusiveness. There is talk about the there is nothing new about the new nation.
neither do my children.
Even as I write I am making a judgement
white Welsh; it is taken for granted Welsh and blatantly not Welsh. When I leave
the house I’m black to the world, but to
myself, I don’t even come under the mixed
that Welsh means white category since I scarcely knew my father and
have never visited the Caribbean.
My problem with the devolved government There is no game to be won here and it
‘black Welsh’, but no one mentions the is impossible to do anything about it. Yet
and just about everyone else is that they want ‘white Welsh’; it is taken for granted that
to make me black. To claim I am white would there is everything to do. And I guess it is
Welsh means white. Again, being Welsh the same for those in power, caught always
be a joke, but I certainly do not want to be means to assert racial difference; ‘we’ are
grateful for being granted a place in my own between doing something about it and not
not English, or any of those other categories. doing anything at all.
country. The so-called ‘new nation’ (in Wales) And Wales is unfortunately reinventing the
is welcoming black people as though there A new society requires change and not
culture of its English oppressor, even while merely a change in policy. We have to change
is a need to catch up with London. Ethnic claiming its unique Welshness. To every
minority credentials must be paraded, and our minds, which is the difficult part. Same and
English thing there must be a Welsh thing different have to sit comfortably side by side.
Wales must be seen to be inclusive. Wales’ - even a Full English (breakfast) is replaced
interest in slavery is now being discussed and White folks so often think they are dealing
by a Full Welsh! with difference as though it is some entity
written about, though no one was interested
before. But even as I am given a place as outside of themselves, not understanding that
‘black Welsh’, I am denied my own voice, Difference and identity they too have to be different.
which is not black Welsh. I don’t know any *For more information about Isabel
black people apart from saying hello to the To establish a cultural identity Wales requires Adonis’ work or to order a copy of her book
odd one or two, and I don’t live in a black difference. This is not a hybrid or renegotiated visit: bethesdamoonmaking.blogspot.com
P
olish President Lech Kaczynski, his views, such as Artur Gorski who lamented of educational opportunities and a disastrous
wife, almost 100 members of the the election of Barack Obama as ‘the end of situation in the job market in some regions.
Polish political elite and other figures white man’s civilisation’. This is coupled with prejudices persisting
died in a plane crash in Smolensk, Populist anti-minority mobilisations are in institutions and in the wider society, in
Russia, on 10 April 2010. The group included employed in Polish politics even despite particular the Roma in the south of Poland and
leaders of the Polish left, such as Izabela the numerical weakness of today’s minority the Belorussians in the north-east. Michael
Jaruga-Nowacka MP, a former minister of communities. As a result of the Holocaust Fleming argues that: “the marginalisation of
equality and a good friend of the anti-racist and other wartime atrocities, as well as minority communities continues to be the case
NEVER AGAIN Association. postwar resettlements and emigration waves, despite the advent of the new minority rights
President Lech Kaczynski was a once multicultural Poland is now largely regime, the entry of Poland into the European
controversial figure. He alienated many homogenous, with only around 3 per cent of Union and the passing of a law on national and
liberal-minded voters with his hardline society made up of ethnic minority groups. ethnic minorities.”
policies and rhetoric during his term in office. The new migrant communities have grown Thus, the legal institutional safeguards on
His rightwing populist party Law and Justice slowly but steadily since the early 1990s. minority rights ring hollow in confrontation
(Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc, PiS) scored an They are often confronted with prejudice with socio-economic problems and the
international success by allying itself to the and discrimination. The hegemonic ideal substance of real life.
UK Conservatives in the European Parliament, includes the belief that ‘all Poles are The Brown Book, published by the NEVER
but domestically it was on the way to political Catholic’ and the underlying assumption AGAIN Association chairman Marcin Kornak
oblivion. It had been reduced to just 20 per that members of ethno-religious minorities in 2009, documents hundreds of hate crimes
cent support in the polls and it was bound to cannot be ‘truly Polish’. committed in recent years against various
lose the forthcoming presidential election, Anti-minority discourse was a typical minority groups.
scheduled for October this year. feature of the PiS-led government In a very recent case, a Nigerian-born man
The plane crash shook up the political between 2005 and 2007. In the words of was shot dead in broad daylight by the Polish
landscape. Wild conspiracy theories about the Peter Vermeersch, writing in 2007: “The police near the newly built National Stadium
accident have been championed by the far disjuncture between the growing EU concern in Warsaw on 23 May 2010. Evidence points to
right, including the notoriously anti-Semitic about the promotion of the acceptance of a groundless case of police brutality amplified
Radio Maryja, which is closely connected ethnic diversity, equal opportunities, anti- by racial prejudice. More than 30 black people
with the PiS. discrimination and social inclusion, and the were arrested as a result of the scuffle at the
There were fears of a renewed social way in which minority rights are protected scene of the shooting. Many are demanding an
polarisation and a revived rightwing populist in Poland points to the current limits of independent inquiry into the case; it remains
campaign in the run up to the early presidential European involvement in domestic policy- to be seen if they are heard.
election in June 2010, with Lech Kaczynski’s making and domestic social relations in the Most of the high profile black figures in
twin brother Jaroslaw eventually losing out new member states.” Polish society are football players. They, too,
are frequently subject to racist attitudes. The
East Europe Monitoring Centre was set up by
A Nigerian-born man was the NEVER AGAIN Association in 2009 to
document racist incidents in the run up to the
prejudice
to change hearts and minds.
2
Among ethnic minority
groups, Indians are most
likely to regularly use the
internet and read newspapers and
magazines; Black Africans are the
least likely to do so
Ofcom
3
Since 2008, 45% of all black
and minority ethnic (BME)
third sector organisations
in the UK have had their funding
7 9
Operation Black Vote (OBV) When he was first elected
5
After the general election has existed since 1996 in 1999, Claude Moraes
in May 2010 the number of to urge black and ethnic was London’s first ethnic
minority ethnic MPs almost minority people to vote and claim minority Member of the European
doubled from 14 to 27 a place in British democracy Parliament (MEP) and one of
The Guardian Operation Black Vote (OBV) the first Asian MEPs in the
parliament overall
6 8
PSE Socialist Group in the European Parliament
Scotland Yard’s leadership Only 2% of professional
architects are from black
10
is all white for the first time
minority backgrounds. Best French-Ivorian Tidjane
in ten years, after deputy
known among them is David Thiam is the first
assistant commissioner Shabir
Adjaye, who has worked to and only black chief
Hussain left in February 2010. He
promote his profession to ethnic executive in Britain’s FTSE 100,
unsuccessfully sued the force for
minority young people appointed to run Prudential plc in
racial discrimination
Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust
March 2009
BBC News
The Guardian
pop
increased and why is it important to do so?
Democratic institutions that are Before criticising political To be a truly democratic society, The painfully slow rise in
representative are fundamental parties, black people need to all our communities must be representation of black and
in 21st century Britain. This know who the candidates are well-represented at all levels, minority ethnic (BME) people in
means more than a few black in an election, and vote for the including the socio-political and government and public bodies
and minority ethnic (BME) ones they expect to have an economic spectrum. is an embarrassing indictment
faces in key areas. understanding of their issues. of our democracy.
Statistics and experiences
It is argued that lack of This election has shown that show that there are vast Exclusion of whole groups
representation is a key barrier black voters decided on purely discrepancies in race of society from political
to participation in politics. national issues, not paying representation in the civic and life creates distrust and
Parties must therefore review attention to whom they were democratic processes, and discrimination. While inclusion
their selection processes actually voting for. at the social, economic and means that new perspectives
and use the networks that political decision-making levels. can be brought to the issues
already exist through their BME The argument that political we face.
members. parties should install a black Diversity enriches decision-
person in a safe seat to increase making processes by enabling I have always supported
We must address the issues numbers is a foolish one. policymakers to take action proportional representation if
that affect these communities based on the lives of all men accompanied by changes to
to understand why they feel We, have a duty to ourselves and women, including those how political parties select their
alienated in the political to join parties in our droves from ethnic backgrounds. Our candidates, to avoid party lists
process. We must recognise and stand for election democracy is stronger when being stacked with “pale, male,
that these groups have an as councillors or MPs fully representative. and stale” candidates. Models
interest in the full range of local before passing the buck. for opening up selection
and national issues. Representation will not We must develop better processes include BME
As a six-year old girl, little did increase until we make active evidence-based experiences shortlists and open primaries.
I know that the first black MPs movements. of minority groups. We must
were elected in 1987.Twenty- In the past our voice has been take action to meaningfully The wider challenge is grass
three years later representation ignored, allowing a large part of include them in all aspects roots change, starting with
still falls short of reflecting the society to become disillusioned of work and life. Finally we participation and leadership
total BME population. Positive and rebellious to authority. must facilitate access to in political parties. We could
action needs to be taken to information and education raise the profile of our BME
ensure that we are not in the It is now a necessity that our without discriminatory barriers candidates, showing our
same position in 2033. voice is heard, and acted upon. embedded in our democracy. commitment to inclusion.
Instead, we identified groups less likely to vote for the One of the signs that our campaign was effective is that
BNP and we worked on those, going door to door with the final leaflet the BNP put out in their campaign in
targeted leaflets. Women were one key group, as well as the borough was a two-page attack on us. This proved
the black and Asian communities, first-time voters and that we had shifted them in a certain direction and we
pensioners. certainly saw that as a victory.
At the moment the BNP vote comes primarily from men In an election campaign people don’t shift that much.
between the ages of 30 and 55 living in areas where there They don’t go from being racist one minute to not racist
is lower educational achievement. High unemployment the next. But we did get some emails and letters from
in an area is a factor, but usually the BNP voter is in local women in response to the 12-page booklet we put
social groups C2 or D, so not actually the poorest people out to female voters with a covering letter from a local
in society. The BNP vote tends to come more from those person. There were replies from ordinary local women
who work hard and play by the rules, but who feel that saying that they were thinking of voting BNP, but had
other people don’t. Crucially, all six surveys on the BNP changed their minds as a result of learning what we had
vote I’ve seen show that men vote BNP more than women to tell them.
at a ratio of 2:1, so the more women we get to the polling
booths, the better from our point of view. I think the key day for me was on 17 April when we had
We have 250 people willing to become local organisers The BNP is now looking
in their areas and who can help us set up Hope not Hate
groups up and down the country. We are now trying to
build on these networks.
at how we organised
What are your concerns about the far right
ourselves, and so their
for the future? work will become more
I have a worry that people will think that the BNP have
been defeated. Over the next few years, the cuts that are
sophisticated
coming will really hurt some of the BNP profile voters,
such as the semi-skilled, the public sector workers and What difference would greater representation
those in the building trade. of black and minority ethnic (BME) people in
parliament make?
I also worry about electoral reform because the reality
is that the BNP have a much better chance of getting
elected under proportional representation, as we have If the quality (of the BME representative in public life) is
seen in the European Union elections. They have two high, and the person is seen to deliver, this can make a
MEPs, which has enabled them to employ 40 of their positive difference. It is a great way to peel away some of
members full time, who will no doubt do party work the BNP voters, or others around them.
rather than European work.
I think having more BME representatives in politics is
I think there’s a danger in complacency. I take the view good in the sense that it helps to break down myths
that for any place in which the BNP got more than 15 per and stereotypes, helping to show that we are all in this
cent of the vote in the local elections this year, you can together. However, there is a group (of white people)
add another 10 per cent next year when there is no general in our society whose members feel that they have lost
election. There are places, even in big diverse cities like their identity and, where possible, these people must be
Manchester and Leeds, where the BNP got 30 per cent of taken along on the journey too.
the vote this year. Also, the BNP realised that they were
out-organised in Barking and Dagenham, which means
that they are looking at how we campaigned and how
What role does the media play in perpetuating
major political parties do it. Their work will become more negative opinions of certain groups?
sophisticated as a result.
Authorities need to be far more vigilant about what
comes out of certain papers. Some of the stuff the
How will the operating under the Liberal- Daily Star and the Daily Express print is far worse than
Conservative coalition affect your work? you would see in a BNP pamphlet. While the BNP are
conscious that they must stay within the law, elements
It is not yet clear what the government’s position will be on of the press are more free with what they say. It would be
community cohesion. One of the things we are focusing important to have more people of different backgrounds
on a lot more now is the English Defence League (EDL) writing, to help do away with outrageous things that get
issue. Government cannot just keep sitting on its hands, written about certain ethnic groups. But the law should
pretending nothing is happening. Unfortunately the last come down on those in the press that perpetuate these
government took a very narrow public order position, views, because it is not surprising that people vote BNP
using the police to control protest, but protecting the far or are distrustful of some ethnic groups when they are
right under freedom of speech laws. fed a daily diet of hatred.
T
research race and racism. politics and mobilisations. All of these are
he study of race and racism has
been transformed in a radical
fashion over the past three decades.
From a relatively minor sub-field
of sociology and other disciplines, we now
The new extracts address
have a proliferation of courses at all levels
of university study, a massive expansion of whiteness, emerging racial
identities and future trends
scholarly publications and of research.
In this rapidly evolving environment
it becomes easy to lose sight of what is
established theory and what is new, of what
key issues we should be exploring and what
research and policy agendas we should be
Second edition areas on which there is intense debate and
research activity in the current environment.
addressing. The proliferation of theoretical
It is in this context that we decided there was A good case in point is the extract from
paradigms and perspectives over the past
a need to produce a second edition of Theories David Roediger’s work on whiteness, which
three decades has accentuated this problem
of Race and Racism, which was published in provides an indication of the impact of
even further. It is partly in response to this
2009. The second edition includes revised research on whiteness in the past decade.
challenge that Les Back and myself set out
editorial overviews from Les Back and It is perhaps inevitable that even extensive
in the late 1990s to produce the first edition
myself that situate the shifting boundaries of volumes such as this reader do not cover all
of Theories of Race and Racism: A Reader,
scholarship on race and racism contemporary the themes and issues that are being debated
seeing it as an overview of a field of research
theoretical trends. We have kept the original in the contemporary environment. But the
that was very much work in progress. It is with
structure of organising the readings in six 42 extracts included, alongside the extensive
this objective in mind that we intentionally set
broad thematic parts, and have added new introductory material, provide a basis for
out to include in the reader both classic texts
readings within those confines. In part one, students to explore the key issues in race and
by foundational scholars as well as examples
on ‘origins and transformations’, we have racism studies from a range of conceptual
of the work of new scholars.
added new readings by Robert Bernasconi, perspectives. Certainly my own experience
Albert Memmi and Pierre-André Taguieff in using the reader as a teaching resource
The first edition that provide somewhat different perspectives for a wide range of students has highlighted
on the history of ideas about race. In part two, the need for texts that cover both historical
The first edition was published in 2000 and on ‘sociology, race and social theory’, we and contemporary issues, and challenge
became a widely used course text on both have included the work of Runnymede trustee students to look at a range of perspectives and
sides of the Atlantic, and in a wide range Claire Alexander on the construction of theoretical frames.
What shape will our new civic Yet none of these outcomes are inevitable
if, following Barber, we can ensure that all
in our society are democratically engaged.
responsibilites take in this Big We must see that our political leaders are
subject to appropriate levels of scrutiny,
Society and, importantly, who will so that all voices are heard in decision-
making about cuts in public spending and
charity research
challenge prejudice
engagement
success four decades
fresh ideas
education
intelligence
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