I get mistaken for the waiter, says Cardiff ’s first black mayor
THE Lord Mayor of Cardiff has admitted he is often mistaken for a waiter when attending official functions because he is black.
Dan De’ath, 40, became the city’s first black mayor when he was inaugurated in May. The father of four, who was elected to the council as a Labour representative in 2012, said he often fell victim to mistaken identity because he is not “white, middle-aged” or “wearing a grey suit”.
Mr De’ath spoke out about his experiences to mark Black History Month as he encouraged other black and ethnic minority people to enter politics.
He said: “As a black politician, I have been out at events and people presume I’m a security guard or the wine waiter. “I don’t look like what they imagine a councillor looks like. Even now as mayor it still happens. It happens about 30 to 40 per cent of the time.”
Mr De’ath, whose wife, Rebecca, is a criminal defence solicitor, said progress had been made since his childhood in Warwickshire.
He said: “People conjure up in their mind a councillor as being white, middle-aged, wearing a grey suit.
“People don’t do it consciously, it’s unconscious. I don’t think they are doing it because they are racist – it’s the ideas they have about society, about different roles. I think most non-white people to some degree will experience very small nuanced slights.
“I have been in Sainsbury’s and have seen the security guard eyeing me because I’m a tall, looming black man.”
Mr De’ath’s father came to Britain from Antigua in the Seventies, while his mother is white.
He told BBC Wales: “I’m really pleased and proud to be the first black mayor of Cardiff.
“I really want to use the role to encourage other black people and from working class backgrounds to enter the public sphere.
“It’s worth it, it’s important. We need you to come in and help make the change.”
He added his job as councillor was the “best job” he has ever had, adding: “You make a difference at the individual level and at the city level as well.”