News / Racism
Rees vows to tackle race discrimination
Bristol’s mayor has vowed to tackle race discrimination within the council, and admitted there is still work to be done to achieve this.
Speaking after the graduation ceremony of city’s pioneering black and minority ethnic (BME) talent development programme, Stepping Up, Marvin Rees reiterated his pledge to work with others to create a fair and inclusive place for all.
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“My administration has driven the council to commit to inclusion and diversity,” he said.
“We have approached it with focus and urgency. However, I recognise the fact that old cultures, practices and attitudes can take longer than acceptable to change.
“I am aware that some members of our BME staff-led group have raised concerns, proving that more work needs to be done. When someone has a concern to raise or a complaint to make we have clear and robust processes for all employees to do so.
“Every voice must be listened to and all matters should be treated in the strictest confidence, in any situation where this is not the case I will take action.
“As Bristol’s mayor and as a mixed-race man of African heritage, I will work with allies of all backgrounds to create positive change and tackle all forms of direct and institutional discrimination.”
The Bristol Equality Charter was officially launched in 2018
Since 2017, Bristol City Council has undertaken a review of its equality and diversity functions, leading to a number of new approaches being adopted with an aim to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
Rees says the new senior leadership structure, launch of the Equality Charter and inclusive training programme are making a difference, but admits the pace of change can still be unacceptably low.
The staff-led BME employees group at the council was launched in 2018 to provide a forum for minority groups in the council to discuss, debate and offer solutions to issues that affect them in the workplace.
The Commission for Race Equality was also set up following the publication of the Bristol Manifesto for Race Equality, known as “Batook’s Blueprint”.
Desmond Brown speaking at a City Conversations event in 2018
Desmond Brown, chair of the Bristol Commission for Race Equality, said: “The commission’s role is to ensure that the vision of ‘Batooks Blueprint’, is implemented across the city and that organisations are taking the right actions in relation to race equality that will lead to lasting positive change.
“There’s a lot of good work underway and whilst there’s been some highlight achievements brought about through collaboration and strong city leadership, more still needs to be done.”
He promised the commission will continue to implement the change needed to match the ambition of the manifesto.
The first graduates of the city’s Stepping Up programme
Alex Raikes, director of Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI), said that progress so far has been positive, adding: “We have also always been their [the council’s] critical friend, raising concerns when citizens feel unfairly dealt with by Bristol City Council services, or as an employer.
“ We encourage anyone who either wants to get involved in the city’s equalities initiatives, or who wants to report incidents or concerns to get in touch with the council, or with SARI or Bristol Hate Crime & Discrimination Services if they need help with resolving hate crime or discrimination.”
Read more: ‘One of Bristol’s greatest strengths is the diversity of our city’
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