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‘Having policies is great, but it’s about taking action’
Sandra Gordon envisions a Bristol in which there is proper representation of people from the city’s diverse makeup across the board.
That’s why she took a position on the Commission on Race Equality (CORE), seeing it as an opportunity to proactively work for change and turn the tide in the wake of the Runnymede report that revealed the level of existing inequality.
As part of a series highlighting the work of the commission, the radio presenter and campaigner reflects on what drives her work and her hopes for the future.
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“It was very much about an opportunity to make a difference, especially around equality,” says Sandra, who is vice chair of CORE.
“It’s something I’m very passionate about and I thought, this is a chance to proactively do something. We have the manifesto [on race equality], which is great but we have to get to the next stage and I feel that CORE is an opportunity for that.”
Newly-sworn in magistrate Sandra with Dr Carol Johnson JP, deputy bench chair for magistrates across Avon and Somerset. Photo by James Beck/Freelance
Sandra believes this is an opportunity to make a real difference, particularly for underrepresented communities.
Frustrated by the criminal justice system, in which black and ethnic minority (BME) people are underrepresented, yet over represented in the prisons, she put herself forward to become a magistrate, and also sits on the commission’s criminal justice sub group.
Sandra is one of the driving forces behind Rise (Recognising Individual Successes and Efforts), a social enterprise that acts as a catalyst towards the integration of underrepresented communities into the broader social and economics of Bristol.
She also works for Bristol Women’s Voice, which works to empower women and ensure all voices are heard.
Tara Miran of Bristol Women’s Voice speaking at an event in Barton Hill that aims to ensure local voices are heard
Looking ahead to the future, she says: “In five years’ time, I would like to see a proper representation of the ethnic make-up of the city across the board.
“I want to see organisations taking action and actually doing something to reverse the situation. Having policies is great, but it’s about taking action and having a lot more representation in the power system in the city.
“We want to be the benchmark city that others look to to see how we have turned things around.”
Read more: ‘Until it becomes a priority for everyone, it will not change’
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