Commission criticism

WITHIN minutes of the government’s race equality report being released last Wednesday (1), critics were taking aim.

The report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, set up after Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests last summer, published a series of controversial findings including suggestions that institutional racism did not exist in the UK.

Although it said overt and outright racism did persist, it concluded geography, family influence, socio-economic background, culture and religion were more significant factors on life chances.

In response, campaigners called it a “whitewash” to gloss over deep-rooted problems in society. Never has a report been condemned so quickly by so many.

The review said racism exists, but not in institutions, systems or structures. The data suggests otherwise. Senior positions in nearly all areas of British live reveal a distinct lack of colour. The senior civil service, the NHS, police, criminal justice system and FTSE 100 companies all have very few ethnic minorities in their senior leadership teams. There is an abundance of talent among these communities but both public and private sector organisations are clearly failing to attract and nurture this generation of BAME leaders.

The ongoing pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on ethnic minority communities, with a third of Covid-19 intensive care patients belonging to nonwhite backgrounds.

Sadly, these facts seem to have been largely ignored or downplayed by the commission. The report had the potential to give a voice to individuals and communities who have experienced racism and discrimination throughout their lives. Unfortunately, it has instead led to many minorities feeling ignored and put back the cause for race equality.

If we are to achieve a free and equal world, acknowledging that these structural problems exist is a vital first step.