Celebrating and recognising our diversity across London's public realm

OK, "what thoughts do I have about celebrating and recognising our diversity across London's public realm" is a seriously begged question innit?

And it's begged on two levels - first, clearly someone has decided there's a budget to be allocated for "celebrating and recognising our diversity across London's public realm", so there's no opportunity to comment on whether I agree with that or not, it's just assumed.

And I'm sure that will continue to narrow down as we go along, because it's a classic Starbucks-style scam isn't it, to claim you're offering a million different kinds of coffee, but perhaps maybe what I want is tea. As it happens I'm all in favour of raising up the confidence of those who contribute to London's diversity by acknowledging the whole range of folk who do that.

But in terms of whether it's worth bothering to come here to comment, it's a dispiriting first encounter. Seems like the choices have already been made and all you're really looking for is being able to say people approve them, because they've joined in with making suggestions about it.

For what it's worth, one of the statues I've enjoyed most this year was the one temporarily erected in Bristol on the plinth left empty after Edward Colston was dumped in the harbour.

https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/planning-inspector-to…

So sure, a statue trail of honest, everyday, good-hearted people come to advocate for justice?

Bring it.

I think greater thought should be given to where London has come from and where it is now. I grew up in a London that was almost exclusively white. Critical remarks about 'lack of diversity' sound distinctly hollow and untrue in the wake of the 20th century evolution of this city. This city has suffered sieges, attacks, battles, the Blitz, bubonic plague, the Great Fire and more. All we here about is that it is 'racist'. What an insult to the past and indeed the present and future that such essentially nihilistic remarks still have some cache in the world's most diverse city. More magnanimity would go a long way rather than this cynical and crude depiction that is given pride of place on the airwaves and within column inches of every publication that involves London.

I think we could have a few murals and even sculptures but please do not overdo it.  I saw in some stations there are photos of their black staff but we need to remember BLM is quite a political organisation and can cause a lot of diversity.  Celebrate in Trafalgar Square when we can by having some black cultural music events, there are already for asians and sikhs and Irish.  Please also remember to celebrate British value and do more for St. Georges Day.

Racial inequality is a major issue in the UK. People who are vocal about it they are not listened to. However, only those people are looked after who can highlight that the people of similar race are victimised. Rest of the ethnic background is only sufferer like me.

I think all of these are good suggestions but I think that the Mayor should start by looking at the ethnic composition of his Deputy Mayors 7/10 of whom are white; his Chief of Staff and Mayoral Directors, of which 5/5 are white, and his Special Appointments where 6/6 seem to be white. Where are the Black African origin, the Bengali origin, the Eastern European origin people? Apart from the Mayor himself, how many Muslims are there? Until the Mayor appoints people who can be seen to represent all the diversity of London, all these suggestions are tokenism.

Hi all 

this site is really difficult, which may be on purpose so no real questions get through, I hope not . My discussion concerns the next generation, children under 16 and what's left for them out of school . What London going to do to support out of school places , usually charity run but now closing re COVID? 

You haven’t attempted to answer a single question I put to you. If you think your smoke and mirrors response, trotted out so carelessly, is going to cut it, then you’re just adding insult to injury. Had you read my comments with the flimsiest of attention you would have seen that I have no intention of suggesting anything whatsoever “to help meet the Commission’s ambition to blah blah” because I am AGAINST the project. I have suggested positive ways of spending money usefully and inclusively, with reasons given for my views. 

I asked you who these individuals are. No response to that. No names for me to check up on. What “range of people”? What “proven leadership ability and influence” ? Where, when? What proof?  What “complementary skills and experience”?

The short-listed names must all be in by now so who are they? How much are they going to be paid? What is the cost of this project and how long do you intend to keep it going?

Please answer my questions. Please be specific and describe these important details because this project cannot be allowed to slip in through the back door without thorough public scrutiny, whilst everyone in the country and in London is worrying about and concentrating on the troubles engendered by Covid 19.  

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UNREASONABLE APPLICATION CONDITIONS FOR THE DIVERSITY COMMISSION

Wasn't a closing date for applications of Sunday October 4th a bit unreasonable, (I'm responding to an email received today from Talk London, dated October 19th inviting applications).

I suspect that there will be others who are interested who similarly have seen the email from Talk London dated October 19th advertising for applications.

In the interests of fairness and equality, the closing date should be brought forward to mid November at the very earliest.

Unless, that is, the intention is to make application open only to a special pre-selected group - exactly what such a commission should be fighting against, not for!

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Statues and plaques should be a recognition of outstanding achievement irrespective of gender, sexual preference, colour or creed.

To erect statues or plaques for someone because their 'group' is under-represented is insulting to those whose achievements really have been outstanding and is patronising to those so recognised.

It is not as if London is devoid of recognition for diverse contributors. Many edifices and sculptures dedicated to individuals were financed by those individuals and since men controlled money they were generally the recipients. Many are in recognition for philanthropic work or outstanding contribution to the arts or politics in this country and abroad. I welcome the greater understanding of those whose contribution came from ill-gotten gains or who's lesser know politics had an adverse effect on many in this country and overseas. I think it is right that rather than remove their statute or plaque, this information should be made clear. Murals, sculpture trails - fine.  Bus stations? I am amazed to think that there are bus stations celebrating white bus drivers - is this really the case? Is a bus station celebrating black bus drivers necessary when others have saved lives, improved working conditions, campaigned for rights and been persecuted for it (sometimes even from within their own communities)? It seems rather demeaning, and insulting of the extraordinary contributions to London that have been made by others in the BAME community over several hundred years. 

Commmission sculptures by community members, recognise those who have made positive and lasting contributions to the many aspects of community, liberty, politics, environment, culture and arts. Like Hirondelle I am interested to know who is going to be making these decisions.  I would also like to know how much it is going to cost just to come to a decision and whether that money would be better spent encouraging other members of these communities to make a positive impact on London. I think that there are more important things for London to be investing time and money in.

London and our Heritage goes back a long way and wether its good or bad is still  our history.

No ones life and history can be re written but has to be accepted who we were and move on - thats part of life.

getting rid of what is already there ie street names, statues etc is absurd and wasting money.

to add to our history by celebrating people whoever they are that have made a significant contribtion to London in recent years - yes fine

but taking away our history is not.

Who are the individuals who make up this “Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm”? What are their qualifications, areas of expertise, specific skills for the job? Was there any public consultation prior to setting this up? 

I look forward to receiving this information. Thank you.

I like the idea of sharing stories about local people of different ethnicities (historical or more recent) so people are aware how London has evolved because of it's people. The number of stories can change as much as there's content. These can be put in local tube stations,bus stops or even on the tube. The London poems on the tube have always made my journey more interesting. I get on the tube and finding where they are so I can read them. Perhaps the same format for these stories too, given it's possible.

I do think the places named after problematic people should be changed. People should have examples to look up to, not just because they were rich or powerful. That normalised that you should do whatever you can to amass wealth and power, and the people you hurt are just stepping stones to success.

That thought process has caused alot of problems that continues to affect people in the present. We need to show people that thoughtfulness and compassion is worth immortalising. 

New monuments

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Make it mandatory for ALL Uk   corporate organisation's operating to recruit a more diverse group.

Set a date to discuss repatriation for the truma caused by the slave trade by supporting charities and organisations dedicated to supporting these individuals. 

Invest in teaching diversity instead of British values in educatioal institutes.