Blue plaques reviewed for ‘problematic connotations’
ENGLISH Heritage is reviewing the 950 blue plaques it is responsible for in London for any “problematic connotations”.
The move follows calls for statues of historic figures who had racist views to be taken down. The charity told The Times it will work to ensure London’s blue plaques better represent those who have gone under-represented in history. It did not provide details of the plaques which may be affected.
Meanwhile, the Bishop of Dover has criticised the fact that all five of the Church of England’s most senior cler- gymen are now white, following John Sentamu’s retirement.
Dr Sentamu stepped down following 15 years in his position as the Archbishop of York. Rose Hudson-wilkin, the Bishop of Dover and first black female bishop in England, said: “It is not acceptable. I love the Church ... which I am a part of. But I am not going to sit here and tell you it’s all right.”
Dr Sentamu, 71, became the UK’S first black archbishop when he was appointed in 2005. He will be succeeded next month as the second most important clergyman in the Church of England by Stephen Cottrell, who is currently the Bishop of Chelmsford.
Upon his appointment, he, along with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester, will all be white.
This came amid days of protests in London and across the UK supporting Black Lives Matter, following the killing of George Floyd in the United States.
Dr Sentamu was the only black member of the inquiry into the racially motivated murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence. The inquiry concluded that the Metropolitan Police was “institutionally racist”.