Sir Lenny: Glastonbury reflects diversity gaps in society
ACTOR and comedian Sir Lenny Henry (left) has pointed out the lack of diversity at Glastonbury, saying he was “suprised” at the absence of “black and brown faces” at the music festival. “It’s interesting to watch Glastonbury and look at the audience and not see any black people there. I’m always surprised by the lack of black and brown faces at festivals. I think, ‘Wow, that’s still very much a dominant culture thing,’” he told BBC presenter Clive Myrie.
Sir Lenny, who was born in Dudley in 1958 to Jamaican parents, also addressed Myrie recently becoming the first black host of the long-running BBC quiz show Mastermind. He said there was a feeling that black people’s contribution to the country was not appreciated. “We still want more representation because we deserve it. We are British citizens, we are colonials,” Sir Lenny said.
More than 200,000 music fans and megastars Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar are set to attend Glastonbury this week, as the festival returns after a three-year hiatus.
In 2019, rapper Stormzy became the first black solo British headliner in Glastonbury’s history and its co-organiser Emily Eavis said it came “a little bit late maybe”.
Sir Lenny, who is bringing out a new documentary said, “We’ve grown up in this country, we’ve contributed and a lot of us feel it still isn’t being reciprocated enough.
“That’s also what this documentary is about. It’s about that feeling of ‘Well, come on, I fitted in. Now what? I’ve integrated, now what happens?’”