'Britain is institutionally racist'The UK police still get comments that they are institutionally racist and its recent treatment of a black man in Tottenham ignited outrage on the streets which in turn initiated the London riots.On top of that the prime minister recently argued that multiculturalism in the UK has failed.
Meanwhile, Professor Yves Cabannes, a UN adviser on forced eviction, has said that the court approved forced eviction of 400 people in 51 pitches on the site in Essex violated international law.
He went on to compare the plight of the people at Dale Farm similar to those who face losing their homes in Zimbabwe, China and Nigeria.
This edition of Press TV's "Agenda" asks if Britain suffers from institutional racism.
Among this edition's guests, Press TV interviewed Anti-racism Campaigner, David Michael.
The following is an approximate transcription of the interview
Press TV: So, David what is the truth of the matter, Are we living in a racist society?
David Michael: Britain is transformed from what it used to be, the Britain which meant we needed a race relations act in 1965 to make sure people weren't discriminated against in services and public places and hotels; Britain is transformed from the Britain which meant we needed the race relations act of 1976 to give people protection against national discrimination.
Press TV: So the legislation is in place but are we still living in a racist society?
David Michael: We have... Britain that is a different place from the Britain we used to have without any fear, notices saying no Black, no Irish and no dogs, and also when we compare Britain with some of the other European countries and Scandinavia we are in a far better place, having said that we can't be complacent and when we examine our establishments, our organizations and our structures there is no doubt that institutional racism is still playing a major part.
There are two sides to the coin because Britain as a whole and London as a major city is thriving because of the rich diversity. On the other hand there will always be tensions however much we would like a...
Press TV: So, why did David Cameron say that multiculturalism is failing?
David Michael: He was totally wrong; he's totally got the wrong end of the stick, because the rich cultural diversity has enriched, if you just look at the well-being of a city like London. Former mayor Ken Livingstone has said it, he said it's because of the communities of foreigners in London, in his own language those livening up the way we dress, the way we eat in London, and I'm sorry but the prime minister is totally and utterly wrong.
We've got to live for the present and there are many things that need attention now, because all the institutions, all the structures, the political parties, public sector organizations are gripped.
In the Stephen Lawrence inquiry they said that institutional racism was the collective responsibility of the whole organization and its structured system of processes and procedures and these organizations now in the twenty-first century Britain conspire to edit out really talented, gifted black people in this society from within, each and every one of them.
Press TV: Let me go to you David, you had an extraordinary career in the police, I would say your work flourished especially in the net, but institutional racism, did you encounter it, is it still there?
David Michael: In my view, Stephen Lawrence inquiry found at that time the British police was institutionally racist. In the National Health Service, in the death of David 'Rocky' Bennet, it was also found that institutional racism played a part in his treatment and his ultimate death and these things are still fairly recent and even though there are recommendations from the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.
If you look and if you make a critical analysis of all our institutions, all our main organizations and that includes parliament, that includes all the political parties, their structural systems, processes and procedures are constructed as such that we say institutional racism, but it's a kind of hard-core racism, which says its only us and our friends who matter.
It doesn't matter how talented other people are, it doesn't matter what other people have to offer we are going to keep it thus.
Press TV: Well in the last few minutes, let's get our guests concluding remarks. I'll start with you David; I noticed you smiled at the last comment there saying what Dale Farm has got to do with...
David Michael: No, that's not why I'm smiling, Dale Farm has got everything to do with it and it's a glowing example of all these years and after all the legislation, travelers and commuters are being prosecuted and discriminated against.
I'd finally like to say I think the biggest problems and dangers are not with the National Front, the British national party, the English Defense League, the problem is with the power brokers who claim they are not racist but all their actions and they reaffirm the hard-core institutional racism in all our structures, in all our organizations.
I think, I prefer to hear from the BMP and the EDL, if they are not illegal in our society I am not alarmed. I prefer to hear them give their honest view.
Press TV: I'll have to move on now because we're running out of time.
VG/JR
2011-10-02
PressTV - 'Britain is institutionally racist'
via presstv.com
