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In my view, rather than become fixated about what term to use to describe our cities, it is far better to focus our energies in addressing issues which arise from the diversity within them. For example, who is responsible for the running of our institutions?
Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, talked about “snowy peaks” (white at the top and black lower down!) when describing the civil service. Is this not the case also for the Birminghams and Leicesters of this world? In 2004, a report from Citizens Alliance posed a question: “Are we becoming, or have we become, a starkly segregated city with a predominantly white prosperous business sector with minority communities largely excluded from all but manual and clerical positions- a First World and Third World Birmingham?”
The case for having a diverse workforce which reflects the customer base is well made by the National Audit Office Report
I would also want to have a look at how we present our diverse communities. While the city council literature is often very good, some of our commercial newspapers and magazines have someway to go. The above report from Citizens Alliance stated:
On several days each week, the Birmingham Post includes a page of photographs entitled ‘Post People’, a photographic record of events in the business sector in the city; professional and corporate celebrations, charity events, launches, anniversaries, promotions and other gatherings. The people whose images appear in these photographs are almost entirely white
I have looked at the pictures in last 6 editions of City Living, which happens to be a Birmingham Post publication. It claims “20,000 copies printed monthly- distributed to bars, restaurants, hotels and key leisure, lifestyle and residential venues across Birmingham”. One is left with a distinct impression that white people are the only ones living, eating, working and having fun in the city. With the exception of the occasional comedian or sports star, it depicts a white world. |