Chineke! And Other Cultural Leaders Call On Prime Minister To Act Not Review

In a powerful letter to the Prime Minister, Chi-chi Nwanoku of the Chineke! Foundation and others across the British cultural world, are calling for action not another BAME review .

The signatures are leading figures across the arts, including Julia Desbruslais, the Executive Director of the London Mozart Players who are based at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls based, Nicola Benedetti, Dawn Hill, the Joseph Brothers, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Julian Lloyd Weber, Arike Oke, Shirey Thompson and Willard White.

Review Pays Lip-Service

The Prime Minister’s ‘proposal for yet another government ‘fact-finding’ commission on Racial inequalities is simply paying lip service to a movement which is powerful and impactful but needs to see action, not just placatory words. The research has been done, we know the statistics and  that structural transformation is needed, so now it is time to take action and implement the recommendations.’

‘The world wide reaction’ to the murder of George Floyd  concerns people of all ethnicities, education and economic background who want a better, fairer world.’

Actions Needed

The signatories set out a list of actions that are needed including:

• De-colonisation of the curriculum.
• Commissioning and championing writers, performers and educators of British Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds including appointing them as curators.
• Creating platforms and spaces in high-profile institutions for those who feel disenfranchised and unheard, encouraging them to speak out, express themselves and develop their creativity. Nurture and listen to artists who have felt rejected by those in power so that voices are valued.
• Addressing the disproportionate effects of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities.
• Fighting racism within organisations and businesses.
• Support and additional investment in cultural, especially BAME, activities.

The full text can be read here:

Chineke!+Statement-18+June+2020+CURRENT

While this call for action is welcome, there needs to be a lot more discussion as to what needs to be done to put the ideas into practice in every arts and cultural organisation across Britain.

What Has BBC3 Been Doing Since October 2016?

Chi-chi Nwanoku and Shirley Thompson were participants in the BBC Radio 3 Diversity and Inclusion in Composition Conference held on 19 October 2016 at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. The aim was to facilitate greater inclusion in classical music composition of composers and prospective composers from BAME communities. It explored:

• the future development and excellence of classical music needs to be enriched by full engagement with the widest possible range of artistic and cultural perspectives,
• how to boost opportunities for the next generation of composers,
• how the industry can work better together to ensure inclusion and diversity of talent, given the under-representation of BAME composers in classical music, the conference.

BBC3 should be asked what decisions it took resulting from the Conference, and what has been done since to implement them. A key question is whether the issue has fallen off the agenda.

What are BH Live Planning For Fairfield Halls?

Although Fairfield Halls will remain closed for the rest of 2020, the managers BH Live have been putting together a programme for 2022. Despite the large BAME communities in the Borough and within easy travel distance to the Halls, the programme does not appear to reflect their cultural interests.  This does not bode well for  their contribution to the Borough of Culture programme in 2023.

My discussion on that programme can be seen here:

https://seancreighton1947.wordpress.com/2020/04/20/time-to-debate-croydon-borough-of-culture-2023

Note: Thanks to a reader for drawing my attention to the letter.