PRESS RELEASE: OPEN LETTER ABOUT RACISM TO POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

BARAC UK PRESS RELEASE

18^th of July 2014: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In response to growing concerns about racism in the UK, a group of organisations and individuals, which includes, Co-Chair of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) UK,  Zita Holbourne,  today wrote to the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour party leaders about the  state of race equality and the impact on Black and Migrant communities.

Institutional racism is deepening in the UK, austerity is amplifying racism, impacting disproportionately on black, minority ethnic, migrant and deprived communities whilst the main political parties disregard our voices and concerns, scapegoating our communities and demonstrating that they do not see race equality as a priority.

Lee Jasper, Co-Chair of BARAC UK said:

"Institutional racism results in the wholesale denial of rights to millions of black and ethnic minority peoples, right across this country.  Austerity economics amplifies structural racism and outright discrimination.

Race has fallen off the British agenda and has become the policy pariah of a Government whose ideology renders them blind to racism. It’s our job to open their eyes"

Zita Holbourne, Co-Chair of BARAC UK said:

“Today is the United Nations Nelson Mandela International Day.  Nelson Mandela stood throughout his life for racial equality and justice. He stood against racism not just in South Africa but globally including here in the UK.  Instead of seeing progress we are seeing devastating attacks on Black workers, service users and communities leading to a daily deepening of race discrimination and disadvantage. Our voices must be heard and politicians and government have a responsibility and duty to act on our concerns and to create a society that is safe, fair and equal for all.”

ENDS

Contact: 

Email  barac.info@gmail.com

Tel: 07711 861660 or 07984181797

Twitter: @baracuk

Web: www.blackactivistsrisingagainstcuts.blogspot.com

Letters to Messrs Cameron, Clegg and Miliband follow

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 The Rt Hon David Cameron MP

 Prime Minister

 10 Downing Street

 London

 SW1A 2AA

18 July 2014

Dear Mr. Cameron,

We are proud to live in a diverse Britain. Our society is more vibrant, dynamic and creative: our lives and values are richer for it.  It is the reason behind London’s commercial success and why we secured the 2012 Olympics.

How quickly pride turns to shame.

  We are now deeply worried about race relations,  the rising tide of Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment, which are fuelled by the open disdain shown by many politicians for policies which promote a more equal and inclusive society. We are ashamed of:-

•          ‘Go home’ immigration vans

•          the vilification of migrant workers

•          the persistent linking of Muslim communities with violent extremism

•          the ‘British’ values agenda

•          institutional tolerance of celebrity racism

•          the refusal of political leaders to challenge hostile attitudes to particular sections of the black and other minority ethnic communities.

The reins on racist behaviour have been loosened: anti-immigrant and Islamophobic fervour, propagated by certain sections of the media and some politicians are in danger of unwittingly – and at times wittingly - inciting racial hatred. It is now open season for racists.

There is an Equality and Human Rights Commission, but it is silent, weak, aloof and ineffective. There is a Government Equalities Office but it has no vision for an inclusive society beyond women on boards. There are political leaders but no leadership. 

This toxic environment is damaging British society and, potentially, its international reputation. We urge you to take immediate action to avoid serious harm to community relations by:

•          a commitment not to use the politics of ‘difference’ to marginalise communities

•          the release of the GEO Programme Fund to projects which promote good relations

•          a manifesto commitment to implementing a race and good relations strategy

•          restoring the power to promote good relations to the Equality and Human Rights Commission and ensuring that the EHRC uses its powers effectively.

Above all, we ask you not to choke the voice of reason and tolerance.

And, in case you think we do not matter, remember that the ethnic minority vote matters in key marginal constituencies.

Yours sincerely,

Organisations

Zita Holbourne Co-Founder, BARAC

Belfast Migrant Centre

Joy Warmington, CEO, Birmingham Race Action Partnership

Sado Jirde, Director, Black South West Network

Tony Lindsay Project Manager, CHESS

Serah Kimuyu, Advice and Support Officer, Central Scotland Regional Equality Council (CSREC)

Professor Nira Yuval Davis, Director, The Centre for Research on Migration Refugees and Belonging, University of East London

Sarah Soyei, Head of Partnerships,  EqualiTeach

Karen Chouhan Founder and Director Equanomics UK

Sameena Choudry Founder, Equitable Education

Chris Whitwell Director, Friends, Families and Travellers

Kamaljeet Jandu, National Officer, GMB

Robin Richardson Director, Insted Consultancy

Liz Fekete Executive Director, Institute of Race Relations

Ratna Lachman Director JUST West Yorkshire

Peter Williams, Chair, Kingsgate Community Centre

Don Flynn, Director, Migrant Rights Network

Suresh Grover Founder and Director,The Monitoring Group

Patrick Yu, Director, Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities,

Paul Crofts, Vice Chair, Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council

Janie Codona MBE One Voice 4 Travellers Ltd

Simon Woolley, Director, Operation Black Vote

Andy Gregg, Chief Executive, Race On The Agenda

Omar Khan, Director, The Runnymede Trust

Peter Herbert, Chair, The Society of Black Lawyers

Individuals

Olu Alake

Mohammed Aziz                           

Maud Blair

Ralph Braunholtz              

Liz Brooker  

Barbara Cohen

Dr. Tony Cotton

Dr. Jacqui Cousins                         

Lindsay Edkins

Angela Crum Ewing                      

Alison Graham

John Haywood

Ibrahim Hashi Jama          

Makbool Javaid                             

Saleema Karim       

Jane Lane                             

Harmesh Lakhanpaul OBE          

Esther Maynard,

Mahalia France Mir

Rehana Minhas                              

Sarah McMurchie 

Leander Neckles                

Graham O’Neill

Brenda Parkes        

Phil Pavey    

Constantia Pennie                         

Professor Andy Pilkington          

Anthony Robinson                        

Pamela Strangman           

Professor Sally Tomlinson

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg MP

House of Commons

London SW1A 0AA   

18 July 2014

Dear Mr Clegg,

We are proud to live in a diverse Britain. Our society is more vibrant, dynamic and creative: our lives and values are richer for it.  It is the reason behind London’s commercial success and why we secured the 2012 Olympics.

How quickly pride turns to shame.

 

We are now deeply worried about race relations,  the rising tide of Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment, which are fuelled by the open disdain shown by many politicians for policies which promote a more equal and inclusive society. We are ashamed of:-

•          ‘Go home’ immigration vans

•          the vilification of migrant workers

•          the persistent linking of Muslim communities with violent extremism

•          the ‘British’ values agenda

•          institutional tolerance of celebrity racism

•          the refusal of political leaders to challenge hostile attitudes to particular sections of the black and other minority ethnic communities.

The reins on racist behaviour have been loosened: anti-immigrant and Islamophobic fervour, propagated by certain sections of the media and some politicians are in danger of unwittingly – and at times wittingly - inciting racial hatred. It is now open season for racists.

There is an Equality and Human Rights Commission, but it is silent, weak, aloof and ineffective. There is a Government Equalities Office but it has no vision for an inclusive society beyond women on boards. There are political leaders but no leadership. 

This toxic environment is damaging British society and, potentially, its international reputation. We urge you to take immediate action to avoid serious harm to community relations by:

•          a commitment not to use the politics of ‘difference’ to marginalise communities

•          the release of the GEO Programme Fund to projects which promote good relations

•          a manifesto commitment to implementing a race and good relations strategy

•          restoring the power to promote good relations to the Equality and Human Rights Commission and ensuring that the EHRC uses its powers effectively.

Above all, we ask you not to choke the voice of reason and tolerance.

And, in case you think we do not matter, remember that the ethnic minority vote matters in key marginal constituencies.

Yours sincerely,

Organisations

Zita Holbourne, Co-Founder, BARAC (Black Activists Rising Against Cuts)

Belfast Migrant Centre

Joy Warmington, CEO, Birmingham Race Action Partnership

Sado Jirde, Director, Black South West Network

Tony Lindsay, Project Manager, CHESS (Cambridgeshire Human Rights and Equality Support Service)

Serah Kimuyu, Advice and Support Officer, CSREC (Central Scotland Regional Equality Council)

Professor Nira Yuval Davis, Director, The Centre for Research on Migration Refugees and Belonging, University of East London

Sarah Soyei, Head of Partnerships,  EqualiTeach

Karen Chouhan, Founder and Director, Equanomics UK

Sameena Choudry,Founder, Equitable Education

Chris Whitwell, Director, Friends, Families and Travellers

Kamaljeet Jandu, National Officer, GMB

Robin Richardson, Director, Insted Consultancy

Liz Fekete, Executive Director, Institute of Race Relations

Ratna Lachman, Director, JUST West Yorkshire

Peter Williams, Chair, Kingsgate Community Centre

Don Flynn, Director, Migrant Rights Network

Suresh Grover, Founder and Director, The Monitoring Group

Paul Crofts, Vice Chair, Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council

Patrick Yu, Director, Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities,

Janie Codona MBE, One Voice 4 Travellers Ltd

Simon Woolley, Director, Operation Black Vote

Andy Gregg, Chief Executive, Race On The Agenda

Omar Khan, Director, The Runnymede Trust

Peter Herbert, Chair, The Society of Black Lawyers

Individuals

Olu Alake

Mohammed Aziz

Maud Blair

Ralph Braunholtz

Liz Brooker

Barbara Cohen

Dr. Tony Cotton

Dr. Jacqui Cousins

Lindsay Edkins

Angela Crum Ewing

Alison Graham

John Haywood

Ibrahim Hashi Jama

Makbool Javaid

Saleema Karim

Jane Lane

Harmesh Lakhanpaul OBE

Esther Maynard,

Mahalia France Mir

Rehana Minhas

Sarah McMurchie

Leander Neckles

Graham O’Neill

Brenda Parkes

Phil Pavey

Constantia Pennie

Professor Andy Pilkington

Anthony Robinson

Pamela Strangman

Professor Sally Tomlinson

The Rt. Hon. Edward Miliband MP

House of Commons

London SW1A 0AA 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18 July 2014

Dear Mr Miliband,

We are proud to live in a diverse Britain. Our society is more vibrant, dynamic and creative: our lives and values are richer for it.  It is the reason behind London’s commercial success and why we secured the 2012 Olympics.

How quickly pride turns to shame.

  We are now deeply worried about race relations,  the rising tide of Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment, which are fuelled by the open disdain shown by many politicians for policies which promote a more equal and inclusive society. We are ashamed of:-

•          ‘Go home’ immigration vans

•          the vilification of migrant workers

•          the persistent linking of Muslim communities with violent extremism

•          the ‘British’ values agenda

•          institutional tolerance of celebrity racism

•          the refusal of political leaders to challenge hostile attitudes to particular sections of the black and other minority ethnic communities.

The reins on racist behaviour have been loosened: anti-immigrant and Islamophobic fervour, propagated by certain sections of the media and some politicians are in danger of unwittingly – and at times wittingly - inciting racial hatred. It is now open season for racists.

There is an Equality and Human Rights Commission, but it is silent, weak, aloof and ineffective. There is a Government Equalities Office but it has no vision for an inclusive society beyond women on boards. There are political leaders but no leadership. 

This toxic environment is damaging British society and, potentially, its international reputation. We urge you to take immediate action to avoid serious harm to community relations by:

•          a commitment not to use the politics of ‘difference’ to marginalise communities

•          the release of the GEO Programme Fund to projects which promote good relations

•          a manifesto commitment to implementing a race and good relations strategy

•          restoring the power to promote good relations to the Equality and Human Rights Commission and ensuring that the EHRC uses its powers effectively.

Above all, we ask you not to choke the voice of reason and tolerance.

And, in case you think we do not matter, remember that the ethnic minority vote matters in key marginal constituencies.

Yours sincerely,

Organisations

Zita Holbourne, Co-Founder, BARAC (Black Activists Rising Against Cuts)

Belfast Migrant Centre

Joy Warmington, CEO, Birmingham Race Action Partnership

Sado Jirde, Director, Black South West Network

Tony Lindsay, Project Manager, CHESS (Cambridgeshire Human Rights and Equality Support Service)

Serah Kimuyu, Advice and Support Officer, CSREC (Central Scotland Regional Equality Council)

Professor Nira Yuval Davis, Director, The Centre for Research on Migration Refugees and Belonging, University of East London

Sarah Soyei, Head of Partnerships,  EqualiTeach

Karen Chouhan, Founder and Director, Equanomics UK

Sameena Choudry,Founder, Equitable Education

Chris Whitwell, Director, Friends, Families and Travellers

Kamaljeet Jandu, National Officer, GMB

Robin Richardson, Director, Insted Consultancy

Liz Fekete, Executive Director, Institute of Race Relations

Ratna Lachman, Director, JUST West Yorkshire

Peter Williams, Chair, Kingsgate Community Centre

Don Flynn, Director, Migrant Rights Network

Suresh Grover, Founder and Director, The Monitoring Group

Paul Crofts, Vice Chair, Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council

Patrick Yu, Director, Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities,

Janie Codona MBE, One Voice 4 Travellers Ltd

Simon Woolley, Director, Operation Black Vote

Andy Gregg, Chief Executive, Race On The Agenda

Omar Khan, Director, The Runnymede Trust

Peter Herbert, Chair, The Society of Black Lawyers

Individuals

Olu Alake

Mohammed Aziz

Maud Blair

Ralph Braunholtz

Liz Brooker

Barbara Cohen

Dr. Tony Cotton

Dr. Jacqui Cousins

Lindsay Edkins

Angela Crum Ewing

Alison Graham

John Haywood

Ibrahim Hashi Jama

Makbool Javaid

Saleema Karim

Jane Lane

Harmesh Lakhanpaul OBE

Esther Maynard,

Mahalia France Mir

Rehana Minhas

Sarah McMurchie

Leander Neckles

Graham O’Neill

Brenda Parkes

Phil Pavey

Constantia Pennie

Professor Andy Pilkington

Anthony Robinson

Pamela Strangman

Professor Sally Tomlinson

A MEDAL FOR WALTER TULL, PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

 

Introduction by Zita Holbourne, Co-Chair BARAC UK
  
BARAC & OBV have launched a new campaign calling on David Cameron, Prime Minister to award the Military Cross to Walter Tull. In the face of horrific racism, Tull rose above it and achieved. Tull was the first black army officer and the first black professional footballer in Britain. Tull was and still is an inspiration and contributed greatly to British society, but because of racism was never honoured as he should have been. Please read the article below written by Lee Jasper, Co-Chair of BARAC UK and support the campaign by signing the petition (see link at the bottom of the article).

 A Medal for Walter Tull,  by Lee Jasper, Co-Chair BARAC UK

In the formal narrative of the history of Britain, that venerated canon of academia, that shapes our lives providing meaning and a sense of who we are as a nation, hardly ever, are the contributions of Black peoples recognised or acknowledged. The same is true for the working classes, seldom are our achievement's part of the great story of British history.

It’s as if our contribution, and by implication our very existence, remains a profound embarrassment to the nation. Our somewhat ambivalent and skeptical feelings towards the concept of the much trumpeted notion of “One Nation”, a vision of an inclusive British citizenship, is brutally undermined by the refusal to acknowledge our many and varied contributions to this country.

Too often Black people’s historic contributions in the making of modern Britain are junked in acts, which can only be described as politically motivated, historical revisionism.
You will find only the most scant references to us in the national curriculum. You will not find us represented in the majority of history seminars, books and events that litter this country’s cultural and academic calendar.

The Mary Seacole and Olaudah Equiano campaign remind us that in general British Black people have been airbrushed and erased from British history. Whether that is the history in the trade union movement or the story of the empire, we are reduced to token mentions rendering us almost invisible.
That’s why for some it’s difficult to take any pride in being British, the whiff of hypocrisy is deep rooted and offensive. Sadly, over time, I have come to the conclusion, that, whilst we are all theoretically equal in the fraudulent notion that is the concept of an inclusive meritocracy British citizenship, in reality, we are still treated as very different.
 

Let’s consider the Government response to British history. One relates to working-class soldiers in World War Two. The other to a working-class black hero, who fought in the First World War.

I think we’d all agree it was welcome news, this week when it was finally announced that those soldiers who helped defeat the scourge of fascism serving in the freezing tundra’s of the Arctic during WW2, will posthumously receive a newly designed military medal, in honour of a most arduous and dangerous mission. They ensured that vitally important Arctic supply lines remained open, providing the magnificent Soviet Red Army with critical supplies.

 

When the PM David Cameron made this announcement at the end of last year, Commander Eddie Grenfell, an Arctic Convoy veteran responded by saying that he was ‘pleased but not delighted". He accused Mr. Cameron of taking too long to recognise the heroic actions of the Arctic Convoy.
He is, of course absolutely right and whilst these brave soldiers, and their families have had to wait 68 years to finally get the recognition they deserve.

Now consider the case of Walter Tull, Britain’s first commissioned black Army officer. Walter was born in 1888. His father died whilst he was quite young. His grandmother was an enslaved African from Barbados. Walter’s stepmother unable to cope with six children placed Walter and his brother in an Orphanage in Bethnal Green, London.
His passion was football and such was his prestigious talent that he was spotted by a scout in 1908 who immediately signed him for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Walter became the first Black outfield player to play in a professional British team. He suffered racist abuse of the worst possible kind imaginable but Walter was of African descent and made of sterner stuff.
 

After a match against Bristol City, one press reporter recorded the incident. He wrote of the City fans:

Becoming the first Black footballer in Britain would be achievement enough for some, but Walter was to go on to break yet more barriers.

He left his first love football to serve King and country in the First World War. Unbelievably, given the period, such was Walter’s dedication and professionalism he was promoted no less than three times and rose to the rank of Lance Sergeant.

Sent home in 1915 with shell shock, he, nevertheless, returned to France in 1916 distinguishing himself at the Battle of the Somme and on his return to England, his superior officers recommended that Walter be made an Officer.

Back then Black people were barred from becoming a British Army Officer and there were specific military laws that prohibited their promotion to Officer class. Despite this, after his superiors demanded his promotion, he was made a Lieutenant in 1917. He became the first Black man to be made an officer in the British Army and the first to lead white British troops into battle.


Achievement enough some might say, but Walter Tull was a phenomenal human being of outstanding character, professionalism and bravery.
He was sent across the Italian front and was mentioned in dispatches for his ‘gallantry and coolness under fire’ by his commanding officer. He was recommended for one of Britain’s highest military honour’s, the Military Cross, but because Walter was black, much to the eternal shame of Britain Walter never received his medal.

 

Retuning to the Somme in 1918 Walter Tull, this immense shining example of fortitude, tenacity and courage, went above and beyond the call of duty and was killed, machine gunned as he was helping his men retreat to safety.
His men desperately tried to recover his body such was their admiration for him. Unfortunately they were beaten back and Walter’s body now lies in a foreign field, just one of the many thousands of British soldiers whose bodies lie in unmarked graves.
 

He died on the Western Front in France on March the 25th 1918.
There has been a quite campaign seeking to convince the British Government to posthumously award the family of Walter Tull his medal of honour and erect a statue in London in his honour. Though many promises have been made, as of today no such recognition has been forthcoming.

That’s why Operation Black Vote and BARAC are urging David Cameron through this petition to acknowledge the feats of Walter Tull and afford him the posthumous medal he so richly deserves. I ask that you join us in seeking some degree of recognition and justice, for Walter Tull and his descendants.
Mr David Cameron, do the right thing and posthumously award Walter Tull his Military Cross.



Click here to sign the petition: PETITION, AWARD THE MILITARY CROSS TO WALTER TULL