Sleepwalking into Segregation
Trevor Phillips misses out on major points in his speech.
On colonialism and historical legacy, consider the work of Robert Beckford (Observer, Channel 4)
Meanwhile, Richard Dawkins comments on "gerin oil" (Independent)
Whilst foreign policy, colonialism and "gerin oil" are ignored, we are in danger of race itself becoming the scapegoat. The establishment's anti-racist policies will start to turn in on themselves in a frenzied search for where to lay the blame.
This does not inspire confidence.
- Foreign policy, he says, was "outside our scope". This intention to deny the problems of race is marked at an early stage.
- Colonialism was not mentioned. The very factor that defined the relationship between communities is ignored.
- Religion is barely mentioned. The unconscious recognition therefore lingers, but we are left leaderless and clueless about how to talk about this topic, never mind do anything.
In general, there's an oversimplified view of race, as though the problem exists in isolation. There's an obsession with symptoms, not root causes. Instead of looking for solutions, the establishment once again goes looking for scapegoats, like "segregated" Asian communities.
On foreign policy, consider the report in the Guardian about John Denham, the Labour chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee (last paragraph).On colonialism and historical legacy, consider the work of Robert Beckford (Observer, Channel 4)
Meanwhile, Richard Dawkins comments on "gerin oil" (Independent)
Whilst foreign policy, colonialism and "gerin oil" are ignored, we are in danger of race itself becoming the scapegoat. The establishment's anti-racist policies will start to turn in on themselves in a frenzied search for where to lay the blame.
This does not inspire confidence.