Big Brother Loses the Race [8th June 2007]

[8th June 2007]

Lord Taylor of Warwick, black Conservative peer, spoke about the latest race row in Big Brother, in a debate in the House of Lords today.

“It was right to evict a contestant this morning for using the racist ‘N’ word, even though it was not broadcast. But I question the ongoing credibility of this TV show which is building a reputation for allowing racists to participate. This latest incident follows the outrageous remarks by Jade Goody, in the previous series.”

Lord Taylor also went on to remark:

“My Lords, it was Gandhi who said ‘We cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.’ So, in achieving a successful multi-cultural Britain, we must build bridges between our various communities, not walls.

“25 March 2007 was an important anniversary, marking the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade. But slavery itself was not just an event- it was a process that lasted over 300 years. There is no doubt that Arabs and Africans themselves were involved in the slave trade, but it was not Arabs and Africans who made the massive fortunes or who founded an industrial revolution out of the slave trade.

“Slavery is directly relevant to the Britain of today. Many of the wonderful houses, buildings and monuments that can be seen in London, Liverpool and Bristol were built from the profits of the slave trade, since these were the main slave- holding ports. Major banks, such as Barclays, Midland and Lloyds, all have historical links to the slave trade.

“For me, the essential message of campaigners like Wilberforce, Clarkson and former slaves like Equiano- was a simple truth: there is only one race, the human race. It was a campaign that galvanised nations and clearly has an on going legacy today. That legacy is manifested in human form, in that I am a great-great-grandson of slaves. The Taylor plantation, from which I derive my surname, still exists in Jamaica today.

“So, what of today’s Britain? There has been progress in bridging the equality gap between black and other ethnic minorities and mainstream Britain. I grew up in what I call paradise, an exotic part of the world…. It’s called Birmingham, just off the M6 motorway, by the gasworks! At my old Grammar school I was taught nothing about black history. I had no idea there were black inventors like Elijah McCoy, who had more than 50 patents to his name and from whom the term ‘the real McCoy’ was coined. I did not know that traffic lights and the first electronic heart pacemaker valve were invented by black men. We now have Black History Month, but it’s a pity we need it at all. The positive achievements of black people need to be more part of mainstream education, than just for a few days each year.

“Wilberforce would have been saddened to see that modern day slavery still exists, through human trafficking.. Britain is one of the world’s main markets, for sex slavery. CHASTE- Churches Alert to Sex Trafficking across Europe- estimates that something like 4,000 women are held in sex trafficking locations in the United Kingdom today.

“Operation Pentameter and the Human Trafficking Centre, set up by the Association of Chief Police Officers face a formidable task, when you consider that the average earnings of a prostitute for his or her pimp are said to be Ј100,000 per year. Ultimately it is through the targeting of vulnerable women with information and education, that this evil can be stopped.

“Some argue that the destructive legacy of slavery is linked to the under achievement of black communities today. 10% of the prison population is black, compared to less than 3% of the general population. 16% of those in young offenders establishments are black. The lowest levels of GCSE attainment is amongst Black Caribbean pupils, especially boys. Only 27% of Black Caribbean boys achieve more than 5 or more A-C grades.

“They are also 3 times more likely to be permanently excluded from schools, compared to their white counterparts. Black Caribbean, Black African, Bangladeshi and Mixed ethnic groups have the highest unemployment rates, about 14%, 3 times that of whites. Much has been said about gun crime and its link to the whole culture of gangster rap music lyrics.

“But there is good news too. Many of Britain’s sporting and entertainment icons are black. Soccer stars like Rio Ferdinand and singers like Beverley Knight are now household names. Black and Asian politicians are gradually establishing them selves, whilst the Asian business community has excelled. It is hoped that the true and moderate voice of Islam will prevail over the harmful rhetoric of extremist clerics, in some of Britain’s mosques.

“For some years, the post Windrush debate about black communities was on the basis of civil rights and equal opportunities. Now, the business case for Diversity has emerged as a strong and compelling one. More and more industries and professions are realising that black and other ethnic minorities in Britain have significant spending power.

“The ethnic minority consumer is now an attractive market that needs to be wooed. This is why so many advertising campaigns now feature black and mixed race people. My own children, who are a mixture of Afro-Caribbean, Scottish, Polish, Russian, Irish, Indian and Jewish are typical Londoners. They represent the fact that London is the most multicultural city in the world. It is no coincidence that London is also the most vibrant financial centre in the world.

“Even the company boardrooms of Britain, which have been traditionally white, old and male are beginning to open up to suitably qualified ethnic minority directors.

“But what of the future? For that we have to learn the lessons of the past. It was during the social reform of Victorian England, that the Christian Church really obeyed the biblical command to be salt and light in society. Christians pioneered the changes that helped children, the poor, the factory workers and the sick. It was this Christian tradition that Wilberforce, Shaftesbury and George Muller came from. With much zeal Christian missionaries went out to convert black Africa. The irony now, is that it is the black churches, in particular ones led by Africans- which are prospering the most in Britain today. God does have a sense of humour. It is not unusual to see a congregation of over 2,000 at a service in London’s Kingsway International Christian Centre, pastored by Bishop Ashimowolo. There are over 3,500 black majority churches nationwide. These churches are based in the heart of the inner cities and are able to touch the lives of people, in a way that no politician can. Black church projects like the ‘Street Pastors’ initiative, work with the homeless, addicts and prostitutes. They transform these troubled lives, through a spiritual, not political ministry. Some of these churches run highly successful Saturday schools and care for the needs of the elderly and single mothers.

“ I have had the privilege of working with some of the Black Christian leaders, such as Bishops John Francis, Wayne Malcolm and Joe Aldred, Pastor Agu and Reverend Katei Kirby, Chief Executive of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance. These men and women will continue to emerge as leaders- not only of the black community- but of mainstream Britain.

“Indeed there is an opportunity for the Christian church as a whole and other faith groups- in the mosques, temples and synagogues- to use their influence in local communities. These faith groups are in prime position to remove some of the barriers that block a truly harmonious multi-cultural Britain.

“I am glad that the Government does have race equality and community cohesion initiatives, like the Aim High Strategy. This awards Ethnic Minority Achievement Grants to schools and local authorities, which take action to raise the attainment levels of ethnic minority pupils. But far more needs to be done to support the Churches, other Faith and voluntary groups who work tirelessly in difficult, sometimes dangerous situations.

“William Wilberforce had no ambitions to be a Government minister. He was an MP, but never achieved high office or ran big business. He felt a calling and helped to inspire the movement that led to the abolition of the Slave trade, literally hours before his death. What would Wilberforce say of modern multi-cultural Britain? I am guessing he would say something like, ‘Build upon what unites you, not what divides you. Yes, you still have problems to solve. But, as a nation, don’t get bitter…just get better.’”