Earlier this year, the UK’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities published a report that was heavily criticised for conclusions that played down the impact of structural racism. Now music industry body UK Music has published a statement adding to the chorus of anger.
“We are disappointed by the contents of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report. The report does not go far enough in recognising the extent of structural and systemic racism,” said UK Music.
Vice chair of its diversity taskforce, Paulette Long, added her views in a statement. “Systemic racism really does exist in the UK, our Diversity data evidences it. We need to properly acknowledge its existence, in the context of real lived experience of ethnic communities, in order to take action and respond by way of accountability and investment,” she said. “To deny its existence is just not acceptable. As a creative sector, the music industry needs to do as much as it can to break down racism and systemic inequality and to do it at pace.”
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