Anti racism protestors during the peace rally in Birmingham, Sunday August 4 (Image: Adam Yousef)

Pledge to make Birmingham an anti-racist city in 'moment in history'

30 Oct 2024, 06:00 by Husna Anjum, https://www.facebook.com/husna.anjum.3 · Birmingham Live

A historic pledge will be signed to make Birmingham an anti-racist city. Leaders from across every sector across Birmingham including city, regional, civic, public, education, private, faith, cultural, community and voluntary, will join forces in a powerful show of unity.

Taking place today October 30, at the BRIG bi-annual summit "What's Changed?" at The Pavilion, the landmark pledge will be signed marking a significant step forward for the region's future. Community figures at the summit include Simon Foster Police and Crime Commissioner West Midlands, Professor David Mba Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University and Sharonjit Claire Chair of WM Independent Race Equality Taskforce.

The pledge is in response to what is called majority black, Asian, and racialised communities who have been racially discriminated against and are denied opportunities compared to other demographics. To do this, organisers argue the first step must be tackling the barriers created by a racist society preventing these communities to flourish.

Ranjit Sondhi, BRIG Chair said: "Bringing city and regional leaders together to tackle racism pro-actively must be a game changer. It can't be left to stagnating policies and procedure, which essentially manages the inequality that exists without trying to change anything.

"We have worked tirelessly for decades to get the city, region and it's institutions on the same page in tackling racial inequalities seriously. In action is not a choice.

A protester wearing a mask during a Black Lives Matter protest rally at Centenary Square in Birmingham, in memory of George Floyd who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis, 4 June. (Image: PA)

"We have learnt from anti-racist campaigners who came before us just how difficult the struggle is to eradicate the deep, persistent, and periodically violent, racism in Britain. But we are now at a moment in history when all major public institutions and community groups have pledged to make, Birmingham an anti-racist city.

"We live in hope that the signing of the pledge for creating an Anti-Racist Birmingham and West Midlands will be an impactful fore runner for making Birmingham a leading Global Anti Racist City by 2025 (draft summary City Vison) and the Anti-Racist Commissions that will kick start it in 2025."

According to The City Observatory, racial disparity data includes:

Housing: In 2024, over 20% of people in temporary accommodation are Black African, the highest amongst any other ethnic group.

Education: In 2022-2023, the England average 'Attainment 8' (which measures pupils' performance in 8 GCSE-level qualifications) was 46.4. In Birmingham, Gypsy/Roma pupils had the lowest average attainment 8 score (21.0), followed by White and Black Caribbean and Black Caribbean pupils who had a score of 38.

Employment: In 2024, 37% of 16-17 year old NEETs (Not in education, employment or training) are White British, followed by under 20% who are Pakistani.

Patrick Vernon OBE, Chair at NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board said: "I'm proud to be able to commit NHS Birmingham and Solihull and our integrated care system to working collectively to create an Anti-Racist Birmingham and West Midlands.

"I, like many others, have been fighting for the value of a diverse, inclusive, tolerant and equal society for years and it has never been more important. We must tackle this and more and I hope we can all build on the commitment made today to do that."