One Year On From The Birmingham Race Equality Manifesto: What Has Happened?
It’s a privilege to chair the support group consisting of activists who have fought against racial injustices for most of their working lives. They have organised against racial discrimination in the streets and neighbourhoods, in the foundries and factories.
They continue to challenge racist thinking and behaviours wherever they occur – in the living rooms, in the classrooms, in the courtrooms, in the board rooms.
Over the last two years, BRIG has gained traction that has transformed itself from being a project, into a campaign, and into a movement.
In the past, almost all establishment responses to institutional racism have come and gone, and even the best of them will live on only in name. Remember Scarman and McPherson? Whatever lessons have been learnt, and then forgotten.
But this is probably the first time in my living memory that race and racism is back on the agenda simultaneously, and with force and conviction in virtually all areas of civil society, statutory and voluntary, public and private.
Our task is now to ensure that it does not simply stay on the agenda but begins to create a real impact that turns Birmingham into an anti-racist city.
Members of BRIG have spoken personally and at length to a whole range of stakeholders – to politicians, think tanks, opinion formers, academic researchers, the NHS, Universities, the police, schools, faith organisations, employers, housing associations, young people, community groups, neighbourhood centres, special interest groups, new and settled migrant communities from all backgrounds.
We have helped to organise mini summits, we have commissioned position papers, attended conferences, delivered keynote speeches, published newsletters, and established a presence on social media.
Some organisations have been exemplary in the speed and commitment they have publicly displayed in coming on board with the BRIG agenda.
Thanks to Patrick Vernon Chair of the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and Tom McNeil, Asst Police and Crime Commissioner.
Other organisations have been disappointingly slow in coming forward. Having given their support in principle, they have not yet been able to follow their words with deeds.
Maybe they can draw comfort and assurance from how both Patrick Vernon and Tom McNeil have provided moral and financial support by committing their organisations to providing £10,000 a year for the next three years.
BRIG together is at a critical stage of its development. We need to get everyone on board to make the strongest alliance to eliminate racism within a generation.
In the struggle against racism there is no place for historical amnesia, apathy or arrogance. No place for shrinking violets or nay sayers or race denyers
This is the time for all organisations, in concert, and without exception,
First, to identify where racism lurks in their structure and their culture,
Second, devise an actionable strategy to root it out, Third, Develop the metrics required to measure progress. And finally, to commit to holding themselves to account publicly and transparently.
They can rest assured that in all their efforts, they will find BRIG alongside them at every step of the way as their critical friend.
Further reading: Race Activists Throw Down Gauntlet to New City Council Leader. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/race-activists-throw-down-gauntlet-27002459
For a copy of the BRIG’s Birmingham Race Equality Manifesto - Year 1 Review please contact us at info@wearebrig.co.uk