Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Let’s banish race issues
Last week marked the 52nd anniversary of the UN International Day for the elimination of racial discrimination – an event I marked with a member’s debate in the Holyrood chamber.
I have had the honour of chairing the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on racial equality since it was reformed in 2016, during which time I have had the privilege of meeting many members of our diverse communities across Scotland about the issues they face on a day-to-day basis.
I highlighted many of these issues and concerns at the debate to push for more progress in our communities and workplaces to achieve the goals set out in the Scottish Government’s race equality action plan.
The plan attempts to eliminate racial discrimination from the areas of employment, housing, community cohesion and safety, to name but a few.
I am optimistic for the success of this plan and hope that, one day, in the generations that follow us, our children will learn about these shameful acts of division and wonder why they were ever allowed to happen.
However, policies, legislation and cross-party groups on their own will never be enough to make that dream a reality.
To properly tackle the plague of racial discrimination, we need to understand the inherent structures that perpetuate racism and prejudice in our society.
For example, a report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that: “If you are born into an ethnic minority household today, you are nearly four times more likely to be in a household that is overcrowded, and up to twice as likely to be living in poverty and experiencing unemployment.”
Similarly, people from ethnic minority communities with qualifications equal to their majority white counterparts face greater barriers to finding work that matches their qualifications.
At the end of the day, we are all Scottish people with various cultural and racial backgrounds.
We are part of the grand tapestry of Scotland. Everyone is part of our inclusive national identity.
We are all equal citizens who are united through our shared national identity.
Scotland has a proud history of challenging racial discrimination and we must share the responsibility of carrying that work forward.
Finally, I’d like to take a moment to congratulate two local organisations that have been putting in the work to help those in need in our communities.
Both Glenboig and Kirkshaws neighbourhood houses have enjoyed recent success.
Glenboig has been awarded £1 million from the Regenerations Capital Grants Fund to help deliver the Glenboig Life Centre and Kirkshaws has taken community ownership of the centre to allow it to deliver more services.
I have raised motions in Parliament for both organisations and I am honoured to be a part of a community that is always striving to be better and help others.
I want to thank everyone involved in both neighbourhood houses for being an inspiration.
We are part of the grand tapestry of Scotland. Everyone is part of our inclusive national identity . . .