Cllrs Walters and Hunt left me appalled

I was frankly ashamed to see the comments and negativity from two councillors opposing the proposal to

diversify the council and introduce mandatory training, and voting against the motion.

Racism is taught, no child is born a racist.

The only way to combat racism is through education.

Black lives have been systematically dehumanised over hundreds of years, history taught brushes over the horrific treatments of enslavement, softening and romanticising it in some ways through story books, films and songs.

I was left speechless recently when I heard a 66-year-old man who was confused by the Black Lives Matter protests.

He was never taught about enslavement at school and he honestly thought that the ships carrying enslaved men, women, children and babies from their homelands in Africa, were just like the boats coming from France.

He thought enslaved people actually paid money to get on those boats!

Education, Education, Education! Accurate history taught from both sides is the only way to get meaningful change.

There is and never will be anything acceptable in denying anyone their dignity, their heritage, their freedom to be who they are or the opportunity to a fair and equal future.

There is nothing acceptable in throwaway comments like ‘all lives matter’.

Yes, all lives matter, but that comment in itself divulges a lack of recognition to the issue.

It’s time black lives mattered too.

May I suggest that Cllrs Walters and Hunt reconsider their place as representatives of the community.

They have both clearly indicated that they do not represent all of the community. CHARLOTTE SPEAR Twynham Road

Maidenhead