Conversations about racism in Bristol

In a city that celebrates diversity, there are still some uncomfortable conversations to be had about existing inequalities. This is the first in a series of articles exploring different views across the city and what can be done to make this the year of change.

“In Bristol, we are almost too comfortable in looking at our greatness and yet it’s nowhere near representative as a city,” says Roger Griffith, recent recipient of the Lord Mayor’s medal for his work on racial equality, social activism and volunteering.

The author, consultant and chair of Ujima Radio says that the idea that we are still talking about racism today is, to him, incomprehensible as he leads a bid to make this the year of change and give a voice to underrepresented communities.

2018 marks 70 years since the arrival of the Windrush generation to help rebuild Britain after the war, the 50th anniversary of St Paul’s Carnival and 25 years since the racially-motivated murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence in London.

Roger Griffith receives the Lord Mayor’s medal from lord mayor Lesley Alexander

So how far have we come?

Bristol is celebrated as a City of Sanctuary, with a diverse political leadership. Yet, despite a collective will to tackle inequality and discrimination, economic disparity is widening and black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) are still under-represented across the city’s major businesses and institutions.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Roger says: “As a black man in Britain, the personal and professional can never be separated.

“I grew up in a changing working class area that was predominantly white and I faced daily racist abuse. It was the time of the inner city riots and stop and search and the rise of the National Front. I forged my own identity as a black man in Britain – I was called Afro-Caribbean, but I was born here.

“I got beaten up and assaulted at a bus stop but I did not report it to anybody because there was no one to report it to.

“People would tell me to go back home, but they didn’t mean to London where I was born, they meant further away and I could not understand it.

He adds: “I do think the will is there to make a difference and that’s what gives me hope.”

Fozia Ismail runs Arewelo Eats, an African-inspired supper club

Commenting in the wake of the Windrush scandal, in which the Home Office threatened to deport people who could not prove their right to stay in Britain, Fozia Ismail believes the whole country is at a precipice right now in terms of fighting for equality.

“I feel sad in that I feel very unwelcome and that’s come from Brexit and anti-immigration rhetoric,” says the Bristol resident, who was born in Kuwait to a Somali mother, arrived in the UK as a refugee and now runs Arewelo Eats, African-inspired supper clubs hosted at her home in Bishopston.

“There have been times where after a terrorist attack, if I am in a headscarf, buses won’t stop for me – that has happened twice to me in Bristol.

“If you are black or Muslim, it’s so obvious that racism exists, but it’s hard for people to understand and there is a lack of belief among white people.

“What I don’t understand is why we are back here. I have not experienced the kinds of racism I have experienced over the last three years before, and it is to do with this international rhetoric.”

Fozia formed Arewelo Eats as a platform for exploring East African cuisine in exciting ways – saying there is a massive gap in African food history – but also as a way of connecting people and combating discrimination through a shared love of food.

“I think a lot of people from African and Caribbean descent are really searching for our own history – told by people who look like us because our history has been basically erased by academics and the media,” she says.

“There needs to be a lot more investment in educating people about history. I think a lot of white people need to sit with the discomfort. It’s unacceptable to say ‘this does not affect me, so I’m not going to change it’.”

Marvin Rees says there needs to be more diversity in leadership roles

Voted into office in May 2016 with a promise to improve equality across the city, Marvin Rees made history as Europe’s first black elected mayor with a mandate to instigate positive change.

Speaking about racism that manifests itself in many ways across the city, he says: “People think racism is about calling people names. And I have had my share of that. But it’s also fundamentally about power and access to political and economic opportunities.

“I want to say very clearly, I’m a mixed race man: my mum is white and she was my primary carer. It’s not about guilt. We have to look at issues of race, class, gender, sexuality and all these things.

“Getting more people from different backgrounds into positions of power is key. You can get into political office whereas you can’t get made the head of Barclays bank. I got in thanks to Operation Black Vote.”

Alex Raikes says there needs to be a culture in which people can speak out about prejudice and discrimination

Diversity charity SARI reports that racism – and increasingly, Islamophobia – is manifesting itself across society, with Avon and Somerset Police seeing a 46 per cent rise in reported hate crimes since 2015.

Alex Raikes, director of SARI, says: “We do have organisations that are taking it very seriously as an issue.

“We have to build a culture where people feel safe to speak out and say what changes could make a difference. It’s about pooling resources and seeing it as a city-wide problem and one that we have to work together to solve.”

Abdul Malik says we need to focus more on common bonds than differences

Abdul Malik, a successful businessman and chair of the Easton Jamia Masjid, believes that celebrating both cultural differences and common bonds is key to tackling discrimination.

“I think, historically, racism has been seen very black and white,” he says. “The conversations we need to have is around what we have in common, because we have many common bonds that bring us together.

“I feel that sometimes the statistics about racism and hate crime are creating an atmosphere of fear. We are always going to have attitudes from the far right and that’s something that cities have to deal with across the world.

“Bristol is unique and a role model city and we cannot always be complaining about things without a will to come up with solutions.

“I have lived in Easton all my life. I say to people moving into the area that my door is always open, so come in and have a pakora and a conversation.

“I feel that talking about my religion and my race and colour is something that we can share in a positive way.”

Rosa Hui is there for the many people suffering in silence. Photo by Chris Bahn.

Rosa Hui, of Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group, has been fighting against discrimination and providing support for Chinese communities for decades.

She says: “Chinese people like to keep a low profile, but that doesn’t mean we do not have to face discrimination and racism.

“There are so many unreported crimes in the Chinese community because it’s very hard to build trust and most people suffer in silence.”

Having arrived as an overseas student herself, Rosa knows only too well the loneliness and isolation experienced by many Chinese people here and says her door is always open to provide support for people no matter what their background.

Neil Maggs is working to combat inequality through work in grassroots sport and media

Drawing parallels between the lack of representation and isolation amongst BAME communities and working class white people Bristol, Neil Maggs, a sports journalist who grew up in Easton, is working to tackle inequality through grassroots sport and media projects.

He says: “Mainstream sport and media in particular are detached from some groups, and I would say that this is not just a race thing, but also a class thing.

“Whether you are a young kid growing up in Hartcliffe or Easton, you are alienated from the mainstream and just as discriminated against.

“What’s happening at the moment is there has been a bit of a sudden panic because mainstream sport and media organisations have recognised they are not diverse enough.

“What I would say is a white, middle class response to lack of diversity is hand-picking a few black faces and hoping no one notices. But just having a few more diverse faces does not really have any impact on the communities, or in tackling racism and inequality.

“If you want to create real systemic change, it’s about widening your pool and changing recruitment processes.”

He adds that there needs to be more people given the chance to tell their own stories, rather than having others tell it on their behalf.

Cloe Lake believes mainstream education needs to be more representative for all children in Bristol

Cleo Lake is an arts and events manager, Green councillor for Cotham, member of Greens of Colour, and will be sworn in as Bristol lord mayor later this month.

Growing up in Easton and now living in St Paul’s, she says she lives in a bit of a bubble but is in no doubt that racism exists.

“Certainly, when I was part of the St Paul’s Afrikan Caribbean Carnival committee, I felt there were several elements of racism, particularly when it came to the media portrayal of the event,” she says, adding “I think class comes into it as well.”

“As a parent, I have worked hard to find our own variations of history because when we have a primary school with a diverse demographic, they are being taught about people who do not represent them.

“I think the solutions are to look at steering groups in schools. It’s also worth setting up something outside of the classroom.

“I wouldn’t say that schools in Bristol are particularly racist, but the city is still lagging behind in terms of getting teachers who reflect the population.”

A citywide conversation about racial division, hosted by Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Post and Ujima Radio takes place at City Academy on Wednesday, May 9. For more information and to book a place, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/your-city-your-voice-how-can-we-make-racial-segregation-a-thing-of-the-past-in-bristol or call 0117 987 7877. A creche will be available. 

Main photo by Thomas Katan

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