Embedded Files
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Commission for Racial Equality
Commission for Racial Equality
2000
Commission for Racial Equality
Commission for Racial Equality
late 1990s to early 2000s
(NOTE: Some slurs were censored by me when transcribing. There's no way I'm writing racist stuff online, even in this kind of context. Much love, Love the PIF.)
(click to enlarge transcript)
There are lots of places in Britain where racism doesn't exist.In so many ways Britain is a racist country. In 1993 alone the police recorded over 9,000 incidents of racial harassment, abuse, assault, arson and murder. Thousands more incidents go unreported. As many as 120,000 a year, according to the Home Office. Worryingly, even this is still only half the problem.
Aside from the ugly, violent, obvious incidents of racism there's something that's perhaps even more disturbing.
The not-so-obvious incidents.
Black people are stopped by the police four times as often as white people. Other minorities receive up to ten times as many job rejections as white people. And, a recent investigation revealed that Asian women are twice as likely to be unemployed as white women, even if they possess better qualifications. It's hard for most people to appreciate the extent of discrimination in Britain. But anyone can appreciate this, it isn't just hurtful or morally wrong. It's wrong for all kinds of reasons.
Britain needs all the best scientists, nurses, doctors, police officers, teachers and business brains it can muster. We can't afford to squander anyone's talents, whatever the colour of their skin is. And yet, racial discrimination makes us do just that. How can we rid ourselves of sometimes that's so ingrained in our society?
There is hope. It ties in all the places in Britain where racism and prejudice simply don't exist. In the minds of babies.
People aren't born hating each other, they just grow up that way. But the next generation doesn't have to. They could grow up in a society which accepts and treats everyone as equals. Who knows? Maybe their children will only hear about racism in history lessons. For a start, shouldn't parents of all races teach their children that racism is wrong? And then back up that teaching by setting a good example themselves.
If you're a witness to any kind of racist incident (or indeed, if you're a victim of one), report it to the police. If you find a newspaper article or a radio or TV programme racially offensive, write to the people who made it and tell them so. Write to the Press Complaints Commission, the Radio Authority or the Independent Television Commission.
It's worth knowing that in many cases racial discrimination is more than unfair, it's downright unlawful. The Race Relations Act was passed as long ago as 1976. It states simply that people should not be discriminated against on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic origin or nationality. The Act could be used to great and good effect, if only people were a little less ready to dismiss it as 'politically correct' bureaucracy. (After all, why be prejudiced against a law against prejudice?)
The Act says all children are antitled to an education free of discrimination. But now every school provides one. And not every school is doing as much as they could to stamp out racist bullying among children. Local Education Authorities, governers and even individual teachers all have a duty to help uphold the law.
The Act also states that employers shouldn't discriminate against workers or job applicants because of colour or race. Companies are encouraged to draw up equal opportunity policies. Some do and carry on discriminating anyway. If there's discrimination at work, talk to your Trade Union about it. You could also speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Racial Equality Council (both of which are listed in the phone book). If you're concerned about race issues of any kind, you could write to your MP.
Or you could write to us. The Commission for Racial Equality was set up by the Race Relations Act. We're an independent body funded by an annual Home Office grant. One of our duties is to draw attention to discrimination wherever it occurs. To this end, we investigate areas of discrimination and produce reports of our findings (some of which make quite disturbing reading). Another of our duties is to monitor how the Act is working. We champion important test cases through the courts, which may lead to changes in the law. We also offer guidelines to the police, Education Authorities and employers on how to provide equal opportunities.
What we don't do is tell companies they must employ so many minorities or else. So-called 'positive' discrimination is the same as any other kind of discrimination. The fact is, most of our work involves fighting the serious, day-in-day-out interracial discrimination that has no place is a civilised, democratic country. Indeed, perhaps the most important of the objectives that we are working towards is the elimination of all such discrimination. It won't be easy.
Hating others because they're different seems childish. But that's an insult to children. So, for all our advances, maybe it's time we took one giant leap backwards. To the open, tolerant state of mind we had when we were born.
Aside from the ugly, violent, obvious incidents of racism there's something that's perhaps even more disturbing.
The not-so-obvious incidents.
Black people are stopped by the police four times as often as white people. Other minorities receive up to ten times as many job rejections as white people. And, a recent investigation revealed that Asian women are twice as likely to be unemployed as white women, even if they possess better qualifications. It's hard for most people to appreciate the extent of discrimination in Britain. But anyone can appreciate this, it isn't just hurtful or morally wrong. It's wrong for all kinds of reasons.
Britain needs all the best scientists, nurses, doctors, police officers, teachers and business brains it can muster. We can't afford to squander anyone's talents, whatever the colour of their skin is. And yet, racial discrimination makes us do just that. How can we rid ourselves of sometimes that's so ingrained in our society?
There is hope. It ties in all the places in Britain where racism and prejudice simply don't exist. In the minds of babies.
People aren't born hating each other, they just grow up that way. But the next generation doesn't have to. They could grow up in a society which accepts and treats everyone as equals. Who knows? Maybe their children will only hear about racism in history lessons. For a start, shouldn't parents of all races teach their children that racism is wrong? And then back up that teaching by setting a good example themselves.
If you're a witness to any kind of racist incident (or indeed, if you're a victim of one), report it to the police. If you find a newspaper article or a radio or TV programme racially offensive, write to the people who made it and tell them so. Write to the Press Complaints Commission, the Radio Authority or the Independent Television Commission.
It's worth knowing that in many cases racial discrimination is more than unfair, it's downright unlawful. The Race Relations Act was passed as long ago as 1976. It states simply that people should not be discriminated against on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic origin or nationality. The Act could be used to great and good effect, if only people were a little less ready to dismiss it as 'politically correct' bureaucracy. (After all, why be prejudiced against a law against prejudice?)
The Act says all children are antitled to an education free of discrimination. But now every school provides one. And not every school is doing as much as they could to stamp out racist bullying among children. Local Education Authorities, governers and even individual teachers all have a duty to help uphold the law.
The Act also states that employers shouldn't discriminate against workers or job applicants because of colour or race. Companies are encouraged to draw up equal opportunity policies. Some do and carry on discriminating anyway. If there's discrimination at work, talk to your Trade Union about it. You could also speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Racial Equality Council (both of which are listed in the phone book). If you're concerned about race issues of any kind, you could write to your MP.
Or you could write to us. The Commission for Racial Equality was set up by the Race Relations Act. We're an independent body funded by an annual Home Office grant. One of our duties is to draw attention to discrimination wherever it occurs. To this end, we investigate areas of discrimination and produce reports of our findings (some of which make quite disturbing reading). Another of our duties is to monitor how the Act is working. We champion important test cases through the courts, which may lead to changes in the law. We also offer guidelines to the police, Education Authorities and employers on how to provide equal opportunities.
What we don't do is tell companies they must employ so many minorities or else. So-called 'positive' discrimination is the same as any other kind of discrimination. The fact is, most of our work involves fighting the serious, day-in-day-out interracial discrimination that has no place is a civilised, democratic country. Indeed, perhaps the most important of the objectives that we are working towards is the elimination of all such discrimination. It won't be easy.
Hating others because they're different seems childish. But that's an insult to children. So, for all our advances, maybe it's time we took one giant leap backwards. To the open, tolerant state of mind we had when we were born.
(click to enlarge transcript)
Criminal isn't it?A 1992 survey of MIdlands crown courts revealed that some ethnic minorities are receiving longer prison sentences. On average, up to 9 moths longers than white people for the same crimes. If this is typical, it leads to one simple and rather and rather alarming conclusion.
The criminal justice system is heavily weighted against some ethnic minorities. Sadly other similar investigations seem to bear this out. Blacks and Asians are more likely to be charged than cautioned. They are more likely to be refused bail. Ethnic minorities are also more likely to be stopped by the police than whites. (In one London borough, Black people are four times more likely to be stopped by the police than whites.)
Mark a British-born Afro-Caribbean is a case in point. "I had never been involved or in trouble with the police before. They said 'I'm talking to you jungle bunnie.' I felt like it went on for hours and hours. I knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to coax me into causing trouble, start a fight, so he could have an excuse to arrest me.
Contrary to what some people might think, minorities are more often the victims of crime than the perpetrators. Black and Asian people are more likely than whites to be the victims of violence against the person and property. And yet the stereotypical image of Black people is as aggressors. It's a terrible slur on the vast majority of ethnic minorities in Britain who are law-abiding contributors to society.
Moreover, when Blacks and Asians are charged with a criminal offence, the countroom ritual is quite daunting. They are likely to be faced with a predominantly white institution. From white judges and lawyers to white clerks of the courtroom. (Out of the 2,887 judges in England and Wales, only 32 are from ethnic minorities.) The chances are they might not see a black face on the jury either. They have to endure uncomfortable and humiliating displays of ignorance about their culture and lives.
It's a small wonder they find it difficult to co-operate with the system. This then confirms the stereotypes of people who are alienated, hostile and aggressive to the authority.
At the Commission for Racial Equality we believe there is hope. We were set up in 1976 by the Race Relations Act to eliminate every kind of racial discrimination. The CRE is an independent body funded by an annual Home Office grant.
The 1976 Race Relations Act quite simply states that people should not be discriminated against on the ground of colour, race or national origin. It makes discrimination unlawful in jobs, training, housing and education. The irony is it doesn't cover certain areas of the criminal justice process. This basically means if you have been discriminated against in the justice process it is not possible to bring a complaint against a police officer or a judge under the Race Relations Act. Clearly the Act should apply to these and many other similar institutions.
But the CRE are working to put an end to discrimination on how people are treated by the police force and other organisations and are working with the Association of Chief Police Officers to this end. Secondly, we are influencing the judicial process to eliminate any kind of discrimination within their own system. The judiciary is now undertaking training courses on racial equality issues and are planning to monitor sentencing trends to eradicate racist bias.
But what can you do?
If you feel you have been racially abused or harassed by a police officer, or if you feel you have been denied your rights and treated harshly because of your race or colour, complain. Write to the superintendent at the station where the offending officer works. Or, if you think you may have been unfairly discriminated by the court system, complain. Write to the Lord Chancellor's office. You may be entitled to legal aid. You could also apply to the CRE or contact your local Racial Equality Council for assistance and guidance.
We're not advocating special treatment for Britain's ethnic minorities. (This would be positive discrimination, which is not allowed under our legislation.) White or Black, if a person is found guilty of a criminal offence, it's only right they should be justly punished.
Our criminal justice system is seen as being one of the best in the world. It's something we all can be proud of. But growing evidence suggests a more even-handed approach is needed. The sooner we can address these fundamental imbalances, the fairer the system will be for everyone.
If you're concerned about race issues, write to your MP and say so, or if you'd like a copy of the CRE report this advert was based on, write to the address below.
Prejudice and bigotry are passed from one generation to the next. We have a simple choice, either take this opportunity to set an example, or ignore the problem altogether.
But that truly would be criminal.
The criminal justice system is heavily weighted against some ethnic minorities. Sadly other similar investigations seem to bear this out. Blacks and Asians are more likely to be charged than cautioned. They are more likely to be refused bail. Ethnic minorities are also more likely to be stopped by the police than whites. (In one London borough, Black people are four times more likely to be stopped by the police than whites.)
Mark a British-born Afro-Caribbean is a case in point. "I had never been involved or in trouble with the police before. They said 'I'm talking to you jungle bunnie.' I felt like it went on for hours and hours. I knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to coax me into causing trouble, start a fight, so he could have an excuse to arrest me.
Contrary to what some people might think, minorities are more often the victims of crime than the perpetrators. Black and Asian people are more likely than whites to be the victims of violence against the person and property. And yet the stereotypical image of Black people is as aggressors. It's a terrible slur on the vast majority of ethnic minorities in Britain who are law-abiding contributors to society.
Moreover, when Blacks and Asians are charged with a criminal offence, the countroom ritual is quite daunting. They are likely to be faced with a predominantly white institution. From white judges and lawyers to white clerks of the courtroom. (Out of the 2,887 judges in England and Wales, only 32 are from ethnic minorities.) The chances are they might not see a black face on the jury either. They have to endure uncomfortable and humiliating displays of ignorance about their culture and lives.
It's a small wonder they find it difficult to co-operate with the system. This then confirms the stereotypes of people who are alienated, hostile and aggressive to the authority.
At the Commission for Racial Equality we believe there is hope. We were set up in 1976 by the Race Relations Act to eliminate every kind of racial discrimination. The CRE is an independent body funded by an annual Home Office grant.
The 1976 Race Relations Act quite simply states that people should not be discriminated against on the ground of colour, race or national origin. It makes discrimination unlawful in jobs, training, housing and education. The irony is it doesn't cover certain areas of the criminal justice process. This basically means if you have been discriminated against in the justice process it is not possible to bring a complaint against a police officer or a judge under the Race Relations Act. Clearly the Act should apply to these and many other similar institutions.
But the CRE are working to put an end to discrimination on how people are treated by the police force and other organisations and are working with the Association of Chief Police Officers to this end. Secondly, we are influencing the judicial process to eliminate any kind of discrimination within their own system. The judiciary is now undertaking training courses on racial equality issues and are planning to monitor sentencing trends to eradicate racist bias.
But what can you do?
If you feel you have been racially abused or harassed by a police officer, or if you feel you have been denied your rights and treated harshly because of your race or colour, complain. Write to the superintendent at the station where the offending officer works. Or, if you think you may have been unfairly discriminated by the court system, complain. Write to the Lord Chancellor's office. You may be entitled to legal aid. You could also apply to the CRE or contact your local Racial Equality Council for assistance and guidance.
We're not advocating special treatment for Britain's ethnic minorities. (This would be positive discrimination, which is not allowed under our legislation.) White or Black, if a person is found guilty of a criminal offence, it's only right they should be justly punished.
Our criminal justice system is seen as being one of the best in the world. It's something we all can be proud of. But growing evidence suggests a more even-handed approach is needed. The sooner we can address these fundamental imbalances, the fairer the system will be for everyone.
If you're concerned about race issues, write to your MP and say so, or if you'd like a copy of the CRE report this advert was based on, write to the address below.
Prejudice and bigotry are passed from one generation to the next. We have a simple choice, either take this opportunity to set an example, or ignore the problem altogether.
But that truly would be criminal.
(click to enlarge transcript)
Who says ethnic minorities can't get jobs? There are openings everywhere.Lavatory attendant. Office cleaner. Somebody has to do all the low-paid, menial jobs, but why is it so often people from ethnic minorities? Prejudice, racial discrimination and harassment are denying people the choice of job they deserve. It's unjust and unfair. More than that, it's a terrible waste of British talent.
Getting into a skilled profession is hard enough for anyone these days. But it's even harder for ethnic minorities. For a start, qualifications count, but most ethnic minorities are still more likely to be unemployed than white people. They have to apply for more jobs before they get one. In a recent investigation, one in three companies who were tested refused interviews for black and Asian applicants. But they did offer interviews with the same qualifications.
If they do find a job, ethnic minorities often find promotion harder to achieve than their white colleagues. There's a disproportionately low number of ethnic minorities at managerial level. For example, in one large transportation company 30% of the workforce are from ethnic minorities, but they account for only 3% of the management.
On top of all this ethnic minorities face racist harassment in the workplace. If they complain about it, they are often told to accept harassment as part of their job.
Sadly, most people do accept it. Those who don't may have to take their employer to an industrial tribunal where hard evidence must be provided to support their complaint. Whether or not they win their case they may well have to start the trying process of searching a job all over again. No wonder ethnic minorities have found it so difficult to make progress in Britain.
However, as bad as the situation seems, some aspects have changed for the better. A West Indian who came here in the fifties to work for British Rail remembers. "It was hell. For the first ten years nobody would sit next to me in the lunch break. They gave you the worst job, paid you less, gave you no training. They insulted you. There were 'No n**ger' notices everywhere. It was very different then. There was no law against it."
Thankfully, the law has changed. In 1976 the Race Relations Act was passed, making it unlawful for employers to discriminate on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic or national origin. Those who discriminate face hefty bills for compensation and legal costs, as well as having their guilt aired in public.
The Act certainly put an end to blatant discrimination like the 'No n**ger' notices. But it didn't put an end to the more subtle discrimination that still exists today. Such as when an employer says "Sorry, there's someone else more qualified for the job" when there isn't. Or when a manager "forgets" to mention an opportunity for promotion to someone.
This is discrimination. It's subtle, perhaps even unintentional, but it can still be very demoralising.
Imagine being told over and over again that you are not qualified enough for a job when you know very well that you are. What could you do about it?
If your case is strong enough you could talk to the Commission for Racial Equality. We are the independent body funded by the Home Office whose job it is to eliminate every kind of racial discrimination. To this end we give support to victims of discrimination in industrial tribunals. (It's not always ethnic minorities. We've dealt with cases of white workers being treated unfairly by black or Asian bosses.)
We're also working with trade unions to help them fight racial discrimination and harassment, within their own organisations as much as in the workplace. Many trade unions now have specially designated officers who can give practical support and advice to people who have been discriminated against. You'll find similarly qualified officers at your local Racial Equality Council and Citizens Advice Bureau.
What's more, with our help, companies are adopting equal opportunity policies. These prevent discrimination before it can heppen, giving everyone a fair chance. If you'd like to talk to someone about implementing such a policy in your company, please write us at the address below.
This is how we'll defeat racism. Not by violence, but by accepting each other as equals. By opening our minds. For the sake of ourselves and of the generation who are growing up now, this would be the most promising opening possible.
Getting into a skilled profession is hard enough for anyone these days. But it's even harder for ethnic minorities. For a start, qualifications count, but most ethnic minorities are still more likely to be unemployed than white people. They have to apply for more jobs before they get one. In a recent investigation, one in three companies who were tested refused interviews for black and Asian applicants. But they did offer interviews with the same qualifications.
If they do find a job, ethnic minorities often find promotion harder to achieve than their white colleagues. There's a disproportionately low number of ethnic minorities at managerial level. For example, in one large transportation company 30% of the workforce are from ethnic minorities, but they account for only 3% of the management.
On top of all this ethnic minorities face racist harassment in the workplace. If they complain about it, they are often told to accept harassment as part of their job.
Sadly, most people do accept it. Those who don't may have to take their employer to an industrial tribunal where hard evidence must be provided to support their complaint. Whether or not they win their case they may well have to start the trying process of searching a job all over again. No wonder ethnic minorities have found it so difficult to make progress in Britain.
However, as bad as the situation seems, some aspects have changed for the better. A West Indian who came here in the fifties to work for British Rail remembers. "It was hell. For the first ten years nobody would sit next to me in the lunch break. They gave you the worst job, paid you less, gave you no training. They insulted you. There were 'No n**ger' notices everywhere. It was very different then. There was no law against it."
Thankfully, the law has changed. In 1976 the Race Relations Act was passed, making it unlawful for employers to discriminate on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic or national origin. Those who discriminate face hefty bills for compensation and legal costs, as well as having their guilt aired in public.
The Act certainly put an end to blatant discrimination like the 'No n**ger' notices. But it didn't put an end to the more subtle discrimination that still exists today. Such as when an employer says "Sorry, there's someone else more qualified for the job" when there isn't. Or when a manager "forgets" to mention an opportunity for promotion to someone.
This is discrimination. It's subtle, perhaps even unintentional, but it can still be very demoralising.
Imagine being told over and over again that you are not qualified enough for a job when you know very well that you are. What could you do about it?
If your case is strong enough you could talk to the Commission for Racial Equality. We are the independent body funded by the Home Office whose job it is to eliminate every kind of racial discrimination. To this end we give support to victims of discrimination in industrial tribunals. (It's not always ethnic minorities. We've dealt with cases of white workers being treated unfairly by black or Asian bosses.)
We're also working with trade unions to help them fight racial discrimination and harassment, within their own organisations as much as in the workplace. Many trade unions now have specially designated officers who can give practical support and advice to people who have been discriminated against. You'll find similarly qualified officers at your local Racial Equality Council and Citizens Advice Bureau.
What's more, with our help, companies are adopting equal opportunity policies. These prevent discrimination before it can heppen, giving everyone a fair chance. If you'd like to talk to someone about implementing such a policy in your company, please write us at the address below.
This is how we'll defeat racism. Not by violence, but by accepting each other as equals. By opening our minds. For the sake of ourselves and of the generation who are growing up now, this would be the most promising opening possible.
(click to enlarge transcription)
And you get annoyed about junk mail.Imagine going to your door and finding, there, on the mat, not bills, or a paper, or junk mail, but pieces of dog excrement. As you stare, shocked, a heavy boot kicks the door. Hateful voices outside scream obscenities, telling you to get out, threatening your family. Why are they persecuting you? When will they stop?
The attacks have been happening ever since you moved to this estate. It seems a Saturday night doesn't go by without a window or two being smashed. Usually after closing time at the pubs. Two or three times a month they shove something disgusting through your letterbox. It's not always dog excrement. Sometimes you find a filthy brown rat squealing on your doormat. You shoo it out of the house before your children see.
Once, you came from the kitchen to find a firework screaming around the hallway. What if the kids had been playing here? Or if something had caught fire?
Recently you heard of a man in Bristol who came home to find his house blazing. Someone has poured petrol through the letterbox and put a match to it. His wife and three young children died in the fire.
Who would do such a thing?
You may find it difficult to imagine being harassed in your own home like this. But for thousands of ethnic minorities it's an almost everyday occurrence in life. Shaida, a young Asian woman living in London's East End, gives a typical account. "For years these people put shit through my letterbox, spat on me, kicked my child's pushchair and screamed at our visitors.
You might think that racist attacks are carried out by a small, right-wing minority. The truth is even more frightening. Shaida continues: "They were normal people, you know, other mothers. So nice to each other. Animals to us." In fact, it has been estimated that most cases of racial harassment are perpetrated by "normal" people, not fascist groups. And it's happening right now on housing estates and quiet streets all over Britain. The police recognise the problem, but lack the specific powers to fight it.
Unbelievably, racial harassment is not considered an offence in its own right. At present, the maximum sentence is only a fine on £1,000. (These days you can get a harsher fine for a traffic violation.) Councils have the duty to protect their tenants, but they too claim to lack power. Instead of punishing the tenants who are causing trouble, it's often easier to rehouse the victims in another area. Unfortunately, this makes the victims suffer twice over and gives the perpetrators exactly what they wanted in the first place.
It is clear to see that this is quite wrong. At the Commission for Racial Equality, we believe much more could be done. Since we were set up by the 1976 Race Relations act we've been working to end all racial harassment and discrimination. In our experience we've found that the best way to deal with harassment is by a method called the multi-agency approach. This is when several bodies combine their resources to deal with the problem.
For example, the case of Mr and Mrs Majid, who compalined about continued incidents of late-night harassment. The police alerted a victim support group and liaised with the council to find the culprits. A man was prosecuted and promptly evicted from the housing estate. If this approach was taken all over the country, harassment could be reduced.
There are other ways Local Authorities can help, from providing reinforced letterboxes, and closed circuit TV, to improving the design of housing estates to make them safer. Victims and witnesses can help too, by reporting every incident. Everywhere. (It doesn't just happen on council estates.) Even if the police can do nothing they must at least take note of every racial incident and report it to the Home Office.
If the government is aware of the scaled of the problem they may be encouraged to change the law so that racist harassment becomes a specific criminal offence. We believe it's every person's right to live free of hatred and persecution. Not just a few people's privilege.
It's something to consider the next time you get up in the morning and go to your letterbox. And discover nothing more threatening than bills, circulars and junk mail.
The attacks have been happening ever since you moved to this estate. It seems a Saturday night doesn't go by without a window or two being smashed. Usually after closing time at the pubs. Two or three times a month they shove something disgusting through your letterbox. It's not always dog excrement. Sometimes you find a filthy brown rat squealing on your doormat. You shoo it out of the house before your children see.
Once, you came from the kitchen to find a firework screaming around the hallway. What if the kids had been playing here? Or if something had caught fire?
Recently you heard of a man in Bristol who came home to find his house blazing. Someone has poured petrol through the letterbox and put a match to it. His wife and three young children died in the fire.
Who would do such a thing?
You may find it difficult to imagine being harassed in your own home like this. But for thousands of ethnic minorities it's an almost everyday occurrence in life. Shaida, a young Asian woman living in London's East End, gives a typical account. "For years these people put shit through my letterbox, spat on me, kicked my child's pushchair and screamed at our visitors.
You might think that racist attacks are carried out by a small, right-wing minority. The truth is even more frightening. Shaida continues: "They were normal people, you know, other mothers. So nice to each other. Animals to us." In fact, it has been estimated that most cases of racial harassment are perpetrated by "normal" people, not fascist groups. And it's happening right now on housing estates and quiet streets all over Britain. The police recognise the problem, but lack the specific powers to fight it.
Unbelievably, racial harassment is not considered an offence in its own right. At present, the maximum sentence is only a fine on £1,000. (These days you can get a harsher fine for a traffic violation.) Councils have the duty to protect their tenants, but they too claim to lack power. Instead of punishing the tenants who are causing trouble, it's often easier to rehouse the victims in another area. Unfortunately, this makes the victims suffer twice over and gives the perpetrators exactly what they wanted in the first place.
It is clear to see that this is quite wrong. At the Commission for Racial Equality, we believe much more could be done. Since we were set up by the 1976 Race Relations act we've been working to end all racial harassment and discrimination. In our experience we've found that the best way to deal with harassment is by a method called the multi-agency approach. This is when several bodies combine their resources to deal with the problem.
For example, the case of Mr and Mrs Majid, who compalined about continued incidents of late-night harassment. The police alerted a victim support group and liaised with the council to find the culprits. A man was prosecuted and promptly evicted from the housing estate. If this approach was taken all over the country, harassment could be reduced.
There are other ways Local Authorities can help, from providing reinforced letterboxes, and closed circuit TV, to improving the design of housing estates to make them safer. Victims and witnesses can help too, by reporting every incident. Everywhere. (It doesn't just happen on council estates.) Even if the police can do nothing they must at least take note of every racial incident and report it to the Home Office.
If the government is aware of the scaled of the problem they may be encouraged to change the law so that racist harassment becomes a specific criminal offence. We believe it's every person's right to live free of hatred and persecution. Not just a few people's privilege.
It's something to consider the next time you get up in the morning and go to your letterbox. And discover nothing more threatening than bills, circulars and junk mail.
(click to enlarge transcript)
Children from ethnic minorities often get the worst marks at school.Actually, studies show that some ethnic minorities get the best grades at school. But of course, you won't have heard about that. All you will have heard about are the kind of marks that grab the headlines. The vicious playground beatings, the horrific knife attacks and the senseless murders.
A disturbing Home Office report on racist attacks in Britain, published a few years ago, estimated that Asians were 50 times more likely than whites to be victims of racially motivated attacks. In one extreme case in a Manchester school, a young Asian boy was senselessly stabbed to death by a 13 year old white pupil, simply for protecting other younger Asian boys from being bullied.
The scars verbal attacks leave behind may not be as visible as the physical ones but they can be just as damaging. "C*on. P*ki. N**ger." Faced with racial taunts like this, a once smiling, untroubled wild can quickly become shy and withdrawn. A 7-year-old Asian girl from the North West is a case in point. She became so traumatised by the persistent name calling, she tried to bleach her skin so she could be like everyone else and fit in.
Wher's more shocking is that it's not just children who are the offenders. In fact, some teachers can be racist too. (Thankfully, they're a minority in themselves.) In one primary school a black child was forced by a teacher to stand up and spell out the word "G*lliwog". When he refused he was severely reprimanded.
Understandably, blatant harassment of this sort can cause some children to rebel. Insread of being seen as victims, they're branded troublemakers. It might explain why Afro-Caribbean boys are four times more likely to be suspended than white children, for the same misbehaviour.
Recent research has shown that sometimes teachers will place black and Asian pupils into the lower ability sets when they first start secondary school. They mistakenly believe they will be unable to learn successfully with their white counterparts in the higher ability groups. Young talent that would under normal circumstances have flourished, is stifled.
In certain areas, children from Asian families are even failing to get into their first and second choice schools, even though they live in the neighbourhood. In Watford, one school turned an Asian family's application down, for the absurd reason that neither of the children's parents had been educated there.
Clearly, this is wrong. Something has to be done to stop this discrimination. To this end the government set up the Commission for Racial Equality to enforce and review the Race Relations Act of 1976. Its aim is very simple. To identify and wipe out racial discrimination in all its forms, wherever it exists in society. A difficult job perhaps, but one that is obviously very necessary.
From monitoring, collecting and recording information (a job the government should be doing, not just the CRE), to supporting complaints and publishing research, we're constatly pressurising the government into making much needed changes. A Department for Education circular recently sent out to all schools, on our advice, contained information on admissions. The circulator recommended changes in the way pupils are selected for schools, which will help to eliminate discrimination in this are. (It would seem, that sometimes we have to educate the educators.)
It's not just up to the government to help. You can too. If you suspect that your child has been unfairly treated at school, complain. Write to the governors of the school, or write to your Local Education Authority. Alternatively, contact your local Racial Equality Council for advice, or write to the CRE at the address below.
The onus is on all of us to make sure our children grow up respecting the different cultures that make up Britain today. It would be a tragedy for the country if the only things our children learned at school were hatred, prejudice and racial intolerance.
A disturbing Home Office report on racist attacks in Britain, published a few years ago, estimated that Asians were 50 times more likely than whites to be victims of racially motivated attacks. In one extreme case in a Manchester school, a young Asian boy was senselessly stabbed to death by a 13 year old white pupil, simply for protecting other younger Asian boys from being bullied.
The scars verbal attacks leave behind may not be as visible as the physical ones but they can be just as damaging. "C*on. P*ki. N**ger." Faced with racial taunts like this, a once smiling, untroubled wild can quickly become shy and withdrawn. A 7-year-old Asian girl from the North West is a case in point. She became so traumatised by the persistent name calling, she tried to bleach her skin so she could be like everyone else and fit in.
Wher's more shocking is that it's not just children who are the offenders. In fact, some teachers can be racist too. (Thankfully, they're a minority in themselves.) In one primary school a black child was forced by a teacher to stand up and spell out the word "G*lliwog". When he refused he was severely reprimanded.
Understandably, blatant harassment of this sort can cause some children to rebel. Insread of being seen as victims, they're branded troublemakers. It might explain why Afro-Caribbean boys are four times more likely to be suspended than white children, for the same misbehaviour.
Recent research has shown that sometimes teachers will place black and Asian pupils into the lower ability sets when they first start secondary school. They mistakenly believe they will be unable to learn successfully with their white counterparts in the higher ability groups. Young talent that would under normal circumstances have flourished, is stifled.
In certain areas, children from Asian families are even failing to get into their first and second choice schools, even though they live in the neighbourhood. In Watford, one school turned an Asian family's application down, for the absurd reason that neither of the children's parents had been educated there.
Clearly, this is wrong. Something has to be done to stop this discrimination. To this end the government set up the Commission for Racial Equality to enforce and review the Race Relations Act of 1976. Its aim is very simple. To identify and wipe out racial discrimination in all its forms, wherever it exists in society. A difficult job perhaps, but one that is obviously very necessary.
From monitoring, collecting and recording information (a job the government should be doing, not just the CRE), to supporting complaints and publishing research, we're constatly pressurising the government into making much needed changes. A Department for Education circular recently sent out to all schools, on our advice, contained information on admissions. The circulator recommended changes in the way pupils are selected for schools, which will help to eliminate discrimination in this are. (It would seem, that sometimes we have to educate the educators.)
It's not just up to the government to help. You can too. If you suspect that your child has been unfairly treated at school, complain. Write to the governors of the school, or write to your Local Education Authority. Alternatively, contact your local Racial Equality Council for advice, or write to the CRE at the address below.
The onus is on all of us to make sure our children grow up respecting the different cultures that make up Britain today. It would be a tragedy for the country if the only things our children learned at school were hatred, prejudice and racial intolerance.
Commission for Racial Equality
Commission for Racial Equality
1996
Commission for Racial Equality
Commission for Racial Equality
1990s
Google Sites
Report abuse