Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re interested in Talk Londoners’ views on equality, diversity and inclusion. You may belong to a protected group, or know someone who is. Perhaps you’ve seen a good or bad example of inclusiveness in London. We’d like to hear about it.
What does diversity mean to you? Do you think it’s good for London? If not, why not? What would help you feel more included?
The discussion ran from 15 June 2017 - 15 September 2017
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Log into your accountHeraldoLondres
Community Member 6 years agoBAME does not include the Latin American community as we are don't have a common ethnic identity.
Show full comment"genuinely" affordable homes: There is no definition of what the Mayor considers such. The central government definition of affordable home is...
BAME does not include the Latin American community as we are don't have a common ethnic identity.
Show less of comment"genuinely" affordable homes: There is no definition of what the Mayor considers such. The central government definition of affordable home is not affordable for the vast majority of Londoners. Expression of intention with no real benchmark to evaluate policies.
Overcrowding: the Latin American community also suffers seriously but is not mentioned and there doesn´t seem to be any research or consideration for it. If the GLA has data, why we are not included? if the GLA doesn´t have enough data, this shows even further the neglect we suffer. The GLA should fund this research as a matter of urgency.
Language barrier - "helping people gain the skills needed to participate, etc"
For the Latin American community - of which about 70% have tertiary education - the main barrier is learning the language but there is no help or hardly any.
One thing that would cost very little and help enormously, is to compile a list of community halls and spaces, free or very economical across London to help organise classes.It would be an easy task for the GLA while it is a mammoth job for small community. organisations. financial support. This was requested at a meeting at GLA.
GLA dialogue with the LA community
I hear through the grapevine or comments in the internet that there have been meetings but it is not clear, when, who with, what for, what was the result of those conversations. Secrecy undermines participation, community development and inclusion.
The GLA should make all those things public with clear agendas, list of invitees and attendees, detailed minutes, action plan and follow up. AND regular, scheduled meetings. ALL published in the website, like official meetings in councils, and accessible to everyone.
Transparency, consistency and accountability would be a clear contribution to expanding the dialogue and facilitating inclusion. Deeds, please.
Talk London
Official Representative 6 years agoHi HeraldoLondres
Thank you for your comment. We'll be in touch shortly with a response from City Hall's Community Relations Team.
Talk London
Talk London
Official Representative 6 years agoHi HeraldoLondres
We shared your comment with different teams here at City Hall and received the information below.
Earlier this year the Deputy Mayor Matthew Ryder held several round tables to meet with various communities and this included the Latin American community. The Deputy Mayor is keen to understand the communities’ key issues.
Talk London is a great place to tell us what’s important to you. City Hall is currently working on an engagement strategy for different communities. More on this in the new year.
Language is one of the key issues. Transport for London (TfL) has now made a firm commitment to include Portuguese as an additional language on the new ticket machines that are starting to be rolled out.
TfL’s existing tube ticket machines offer English and sixteen other languages, which is the current technical limit on these machines. The addition of an extra language is not an option for the existing ticket machines, which are now nearly 30 years old and are not planned to be further upgraded before they are phased out. TfL hopes to have this language option available on the new machines by the start of 2018.
We recently commissioned research on the availability of formal and informal English language learning opportunities in London. We found that demand for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses is higher than the supply. The research highlights the need to identify new sources for investment in ESOL and address practical barriers to accessing ESOL learning. More about the findings: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/communities/migrants-and-refugees/…
With regards to community halls and spaces, London boroughs might be able to provide this information. You could also get in touch with London Councils, an umbrella organisation representing all 32 local councils and the City of London: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/who-we-are/contact-us
Talk London
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoSo many people here (some very well intentioned) misinterpreting "equality" as "treating everybody the same"
Lots of people are unwilling to accept the premise of equality and diversity policy because our basic moral understanding of...
Show full commentSo many people here (some very well intentioned) misinterpreting "equality" as "treating everybody the same"
Lots of people are unwilling to accept the premise of equality and diversity policy because our basic moral understanding of "equality" boils down to "treating everybody the same" - of course, it's not that simple. Maybe using terms like "inclusion" or "liberation" is more useful..?
For example, treating everybody "equally" might mean that we never put ramps to help people with mobility issues into buildings, for example. Here, treating everybody "the same" just does not work. So instead, "equality" becomes about, for example, providing ramps, lifts etc, to make sure that people with mobility issues have equal access to that building. It removes that barrier around mobility, and allows them to be included in society more fully.
Obviously things around race are more complex, and it's really hard for people to grapple with hidden things like implicit bias and systemic racism, especially when from the outside it appears that everybody is "being treated the same"
Sometimes treating everybody the same is very oppressive and doesn't end up with equality.
Show less of commentpukpuk
Community Member 6 years agoThe political nonsense is visible even in your post. You ask about equality but write about protected groups. If there are protected groups it means there are no equality and this is very visible in London. Muslims can do anything, they can...
Show full commentThe political nonsense is visible even in your post. You ask about equality but write about protected groups. If there are protected groups it means there are no equality and this is very visible in London. Muslims can do anything, they can block streets, demand praying rooms at schools, halal meals everywhere and non-Muslims can't wear a cross because it offends Muslims.
Show less of commentEveryman
Community Member 6 years agoThere is talk about diversity and inclusion but little in real practice.
Is the Mayor going to fully take into account and reflect the views of the correspondents above? I doubt it.
The lie is told by this website - go see the stats on...
Show full commentThere is talk about diversity and inclusion but little in real practice.
Is the Mayor going to fully take into account and reflect the views of the correspondents above? I doubt it.
The lie is told by this website - go see the stats on https://www.london.gov.uk/talk-london/ -
38,833 Community members listed, 8,512 comments posted - from a total London population of ten million. Is this a valid reflection of the views of those living and working here? Or of the trust that they place in the process?
Why am I bothering, few people are likely to see it? Least of all the Mayor, although I am sure that he will enjoy a supportive, positive and uplifting summary!
For instance, how do those people who have no knowledge of or limited access to the internet meant to participate in this nonsense! Representative? Democratic? I don't think so. There are thousands of London residents who cannot afford/ do not want/ cannot use modern social media. Where are their voices.
Show less of commentTalk London
Official Representative 6 years agoHi Everyman
Thank you for your comment. The Mayor gathers insight to help guide decision and policy making through our surveys, discussions and consultations and also through representative polling.
We use all available resources to promote our research community, including via social media, with flyers at big events, and through promotion around the rest of the City Hall website. Recently, Talk London was integrated into the main City Hall website, a key aim of which is to increase awareness of it and encourage more Londoners to join and have their say.
Talk London
ForLondon
Community Member 6 years agoLet's face facts. Nothing changes for people until we all recognise that we are all people.
We must hold those with power to account because poor people of all ethnicities deserve better. Black people deserve better, Asian people deserve...
Show full commentLet's face facts. Nothing changes for people until we all recognise that we are all people.
We must hold those with power to account because poor people of all ethnicities deserve better. Black people deserve better, Asian people deserve better, migrants deserve better, white, working class people deserve better, children deserve better, young people deserve better, older people deserve better and people living with disabilities deserve better. The list goes on.
Show less of commentSurely Palestinians living in this country have more than earned the right to demonstrate against Israel? I mean are you kidding?
RussellB
Community Member 6 years agoHow does allowing Palestinian supporters yesterday to just take over a major central London street of their choice, openly display terrorist flags and burn the flag of Israel (the only democratic country in the Middle East) demonstrate...
Show full commentHow does allowing Palestinian supporters yesterday to just take over a major central London street of their choice, openly display terrorist flags and burn the flag of Israel (the only democratic country in the Middle East) demonstrate equality, diversity and inclusion?
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoTo deal with traffic congestion and the public health problem caused by illegal levels of air pollution across London the Mayor of London, Mr Sadiq Khan, promised during his election campaign to "make London a byword for cycling". To this...
Show full commentTo deal with traffic congestion and the public health problem caused by illegal levels of air pollution across London the Mayor of London, Mr Sadiq Khan, promised during his election campaign to "make London a byword for cycling". To this end, Mayor and his Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Mr William Norman, have instituted a “Healthy Streets” programme and funded “Quietways” to support cycling across London.
Show less of commentUnfortunately, the Quietways cycling infrastructure currently supported by the Mayor and his Cycling Commissioner consist only of regular road tarmac painted with “Q”s and cycle symbols, which on their afford the most vulnerable road users little or no physical protection from motorised traffic. While some members the fit young (20-45 year-old) male demographic may have the skill, reflexes and agility to safely ride in “Quietways” that are shared with motorised traffic, the only way to enable the most vulnerable road users, by whom we mean children, the elderly, women, and anyone outside the fit young male demographic, to cycle safely around London is to providing high quality Dutch style infrastructure that physically separates vulnerable road users from all motorised traffic
By focusing on Quietways which force cyclists to mix with motorised traffic and failing to provide cycling infrastructure that physically separates vulnerable users from all motorised traffic, the Mayor of London and his Cycling Commissioner are, through their policies, effectively excluding the children, the elderly, and anyone else outside the fit young male demographic, from safely adopting active travel in London.
For me, inclusiveness means providing infrastructure that allows Londoners of all ages, genders, and levels of physical fitness to enjoy the health benefits of active travel. Children, women and the elderly have the same right to cycle to school, to work, or for pleasure, without fear of being killed or seriously injured by motorised vehicles, as do the fit young male demographic.
I am grateful that Sadiq Khan has chosen to seek the views of the public on the inequalities that affect social integration and social mobility of Londoners and hope that the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor for Transport, and the Cycling Commissioner will recognise that an equitable, non-discriminatory and sustainable transport policy that supports active travel by all Londoners is important in supporting social integration and social mobility of Londoners.
To this end, I would urge Mr Khan and Mr Norman to end their support for poor quality Quietway paintwork infrastructure, that discourages everyone but the fit young male demographic from cycling, and to support instead high quality Dutch style infrastructure that separates vulnerable road users from motorised traffic and enables Londoners of all ages, genders and levels of physical fitness to safely enjoy the benefits of active travel.
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoThat's a great idea. Problem is, WE DON'T HAVE SPACE!!! Our roads are only so wide. The traffic is so heavy it doesn't move already. We have a shortage of housing and a shortage of land for housing. Spare a thought for our Mayor....
Show full commentThat's a great idea. Problem is, WE DON'T HAVE SPACE!!! Our roads are only so wide. The traffic is so heavy it doesn't move already. We have a shortage of housing and a shortage of land for housing. Spare a thought for our Mayor. Where is he going to put all these Dutch-style cycle lanes? And what is he going to do with all the traffic they displace? And then what is he going to do about all the extra congestion and all the extra pollution that that extra congestion causes?
Show less of commentLexM
Community Member 6 years agoSeems like you have two topics here.
On addressing individual needs; sure, if somebody is illiterate let’s find ways to fix that. If they can sponsor a safe parade of their culture let them. If somebody is attacked, work to keep them safe...
Show full commentSeems like you have two topics here.
On addressing individual needs; sure, if somebody is illiterate let’s find ways to fix that. If they can sponsor a safe parade of their culture let them. If somebody is attacked, work to keep them safe and so on.
That said when you speak of identity and labelling that is something else. Just as we increasing expect Government to be secular and separate the its powers from the influence and participation of religion. Set a goal for what we want to achieve and a bar that we should not go under. I’d expect Government to represent its citizens equally without favour or prejudice.
Diversity is the outcome of an open, exciting place of opportunity. Let London do what it does best, be a mixing pot that adopts the best the outside world has to offer, build on that diversity and helps more people thrive. As soon as you start trying to tip the scales and support arbitrary silos of identity something is lost, there is the rise of unnecessary grievances and you divide people from replicating the lessons that led so many in this city to success.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoYou make a fair point.
I would just point out that we are a Christian country, as our Queen is the head of the Church of England and our Bishops sit in our House of Lords. France and the USA are officially secular countries; the UK is...
Show full commentYou make a fair point.
I would just point out that we are a Christian country, as our Queen is the head of the Church of England and our Bishops sit in our House of Lords. France and the USA are officially secular countries; the UK is not.
Show less of commentLexM
Community Member 6 years agoSure, but that's why I said it is increasing expectation, rather than suggest we have a constitutional separation of church and state.
alggomas
Community Member 6 years agoWhen overseas people come to London ( or UK), they tend to live in their own communities which makes it difficult to absorb our culture and speak English.
bridgelene
Community Member 6 years agoShould they impose their language and culture on us, like the British did when they went overseas? As long as people work and obey the law, there's nothing wrong with living within a community. English people do it too.
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoI disagree. I don't want our country turning into a set of segregated outposts of other countries. We are all Londoners and we all need to integrate and try to get on with one another. That means communicating in English in public, not...
Show full commentI disagree. I don't want our country turning into a set of segregated outposts of other countries. We are all Londoners and we all need to integrate and try to get on with one another. That means communicating in English in public, not blasting down phones in foreign languages. To be fair, some immigrants are exemplary in the way they conduct themselves. Others are not.
Show less of commentplinkyplonk
Community Member 6 years agoI think it is diverse too far. I am a born Londoner and I see a total change of residents taking place. Near me is a high road that comprises so many foreigners that I am in the minority. Many newcomers do not want to integrate and largely...
Show full commentI think it is diverse too far. I am a born Londoner and I see a total change of residents taking place. Near me is a high road that comprises so many foreigners that I am in the minority. Many newcomers do not want to integrate and largely ignore indigenous people.
I now know how the indigenous Americans felt when New World settlers came to America!
Oh, and one or other national group ignore/dislike each other! London (and perhaps other towns) are now just a collection of various ethnic/religious groups. Well-off English people are as bad - they buy distance from the problems ethnicity brings.
Yes, I am jealous and fearful of people who have been here for a short time and want to take over and have everything their way. Why should I want to share with various groups of people who don't care two hoots about the UK and who themselves are extremely racist?
Obviously I can't cover everything in this post and am well aware that some ethnic people do want to integrate if they see the U.K. as a long-term 'home'- but that does not mean UK people would be counted as friends or be invited to their homes.
Show less of commentSee over years whether you are invited to weddings or other social occasions.
In the main they are only here because it suits them,
Why didn't they fight for their respective countries? They just left for a rosier life and I think U.K., particularly London, has done more than its bit
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoTOTALLY, TOTALLY, TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!
I've just answered another post on this forum about African versus EU immigrants.
Many EU immigrants look down on African and Asian immigrants, but they fought on our side in World War II and...
Show full commentTOTALLY, TOTALLY, TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!
I've just answered another post on this forum about African versus EU immigrants.
Many EU immigrants look down on African and Asian immigrants, but they fought on our side in World War II and we had strong links with those countries for decades, through the Commonwealth and our former empire.
As of yesterday, our Middle Eastern neighbour has blighted our beautiful front garden with his unwanted fridge.
I feel like a foreigner in my own country as well, on my high street, on the bus, in shops, in cafes, even on the road.
Recent terror attacks have highlighted some problems with integration among some families who have lived in the UK for decades.
I won't say any more, otherwise I'll get blocked by the moderators.
We're not allowed to tell the truth in our own country.
Show less of commentTalk London
Official Representative 6 years agoThank you for sharing your views.
As some of you mentioned the issue of labelling, here are some thoughts from our Diversity and Social Policy Team:
• People from different backgrounds experience life in London in different ways - often in ways that aren’t obvious to people who aren’t in those groups.
• The Diversity and Inclusion Vision acknowledges this and also highlights that many people have multiple characteristics that disadvantage them more severely.
• The GLA, like other public bodies, has a responsibility to try to understand the impact of its policies on groups protected by laws such as the Equality Act 2010.
• Obviously not all people in any group are the same but there will be common issues e.g. low employment rates for disabled people, equal pay for women. The Vision also looks for issues that a number of groups have in common. For example, disabled people and those with young families both need more flexible working options.
Equality is not about treating everyone the same. It’s about understanding needs of different people and meeting them. That’s why we’re asking about people’s experiences on Talk London in relation to specific policy areas. This will continue throughout all the Mayoral strategies that are being consulted on in the next 12 months, and beyond.
We hope this helps to understand why we collect and analyse data about people’s backgrounds.
Talk London
bridgelene
Community Member 6 years agoThank you for your explanation, but I gather from your post that you're not taking our comments on board and are just going to continue to label people the same unhelpful way.
Show full commentEquality IS treating everyone the same. That doesn't preclude...
Thank you for your explanation, but I gather from your post that you're not taking our comments on board and are just going to continue to label people the same unhelpful way.
Show less of commentEquality IS treating everyone the same. That doesn't preclude helping disadvantaged people, who can come from any background. Most of us need help at some point in our lives, in different ways, that aren't necessarily derived from the characteristics the Equality Act chose to discriminate.
The Cyclist
Community Member 6 years agoTalking about equality and inclusion mr mayor don't you think it would be a fair and honest way to deal with things by actually letting all Londoners know about this site, I mean most decisions made by you are carried out on the back of...
Show full commentTalking about equality and inclusion mr mayor don't you think it would be a fair and honest way to deal with things by actually letting all Londoners know about this site, I mean most decisions made by you are carried out on the back of what is said in these "blogs" if Londoners do not know about them and that they can have a say then they are missing out and only the people who really want to get involved do so because they get an email as they are registered on this site. Take the ULEZ for example 15000 had a say of which only 10000 were in favour, that hardly constitutes Londoners does it with over 8.4 million of us.......Don't you think that a mail out to each home would put this unfair practice to bed and give Every Londoner a say?
Show less of commentTalk London
Official Representative 6 years agoHi The Cyclist
Thank you for your comment. Talk London is one of the many ways the Mayor gathers insight to help decision and policy making: London.gov.uk website, surveys, consultations, the London Assembly Mayor’s Question Time, e-mails, letters and calls to the Public Liaison Unit, …
The Talk London community is aimed at anyone over 18 years old who lives or works in London and wishes to discuss issues that affect daily lives in the capital. The online community has grown organically and significantly over the years. It now has over 38,000 members.
We are using all available resources to promote our research community via social media, with flyers at big events in London and via word of mouth. We’ll soon keep you posted on more developments, which should increase awareness and encourage more Londoners to have their say.
Talk London
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoHow do you know the people who post on here are genuine Londoners? They might be on this forum posting about Brexit but based in Eastern Europe and poised to bring in hundreds of modern slaves. One person might take on multiple screen...
Show full commentHow do you know the people who post on here are genuine Londoners? They might be on this forum posting about Brexit but based in Eastern Europe and poised to bring in hundreds of modern slaves. One person might take on multiple screen names. Etc. Etc.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years ago30 years ago wandsworth police advertised for black policemen/women. I told my friend about the advertisement. His reply was I am not going for it because what wandsworth police mean is that a black person couldn't get the job if he was up...
Show full comment30 years ago wandsworth police advertised for black policemen/women. I told my friend about the advertisement. His reply was I am not going for it because what wandsworth police mean is that a black person couldn't get the job if he was up against a white person. While we keep labeling people and put them in boxes we create our own problems. Stop worrying about the numbers of ethnic, etc people companies are employing, it only leads to the question, did I get the job on my skill level or because the company's hadn't filled its quota. Or did I not get the job because of the company's quota. You should get a job based on you ability to do it nothing else.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoThere is a very big problem with letting agents discriminating against people who receive Housing Benefit and labelling them with the horrible term "DSS". I think the law needs to be changed to prevent this.
Talk London
Official Representative 6 years agoThank you for your comments.
Some of you have brought up the issue of labelling. How about a shared London identity? What could the Mayor do to create this and is this something he should focus on or not?
Talk London
bridgelene
Community Member 6 years agoA London identity is just another label. I think he should focus on removing all labels and encouraging businesses, companies, employers, government to treat everyone equally. Starting by putting an end to the so-called equality monitoring...
Show full commentA London identity is just another label. I think he should focus on removing all labels and encouraging businesses, companies, employers, government to treat everyone equally. Starting by putting an end to the so-called equality monitoring, which is used on even this website. This is my personal opinion, the opinion of an individual that isn't defined by their gender, age, nationality, sexual preference, health, religion... I'm not a demographic.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoI think that "Londoner" is a good label. So is "British", whereas I know some people who dislike the label "English" because they associate it with the far right.
CypriotRose
Community Member 6 years agoIt's problematic to post this question as many simply do not understand the dynamics of discrimination and exclusion. An older person repeatedly rejected for employment might not consider themself "the same" as a 30 something person who...
Show full commentIt's problematic to post this question as many simply do not understand the dynamics of discrimination and exclusion. An older person repeatedly rejected for employment might not consider themself "the same" as a 30 something person who does not experience the same discrimination. The same applies for the other categories in the equality law. The law is there for a reason as evidence and experience has shown us that we are not all in fact the same and we don't experience access to services, jobs etc equally. It is right and decent that a pregnant woman should be treated fairly at work, that someone who is gay should be entitled to have a wedding cake made, that a younger person should be allowed to volunteer on the same terms as an older person and the list goes on... London is the capital in the world that others look to and we should lead by example.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoI think we have gone too far in letting everyone in and letting them do business and access public services in languages other than English. The result is vast numbers of people who live here but see no need to integrate with British...
Show full commentI think we have gone too far in letting everyone in and letting them do business and access public services in languages other than English. The result is vast numbers of people who live here but see no need to integrate with British people.
We are so welcoming that employers routinely overlook the local labour force in favour of cut-price workers recruited overseas.
Membership of the EU has led to a rights culture where people turn up and quickly demand they should get this and that because "we're all European now". We do need to ensure people take time to earn the right to things and that they see the need to get on with people who are already here.
By all means, the values of tolerance and diversity need to be maintained and passed on to future generations. However, we should balance these with the values of community and integration and manners, which seem to have been forgotten in recent years.
Show less of commentTalk London
Official Representative 6 years agoHi AlisonThere is some evidence to suggest that taking part in active citizenship like local-decision making bodies, volunteering or local sports clubs is good for bringing communities together. We asked Londoners about active citizenship in our April Talkin Points survey, and wrote about the results in our latest blog post.What do you think? What stops or could encourage people to do more of this sort of activity in their local area?Talk London
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoIn my experience, people who want to integrate themselves are very good at doing so. They attend the local church, get to know their neighbours, talk to other parents at their children's school, etc. However, there are large numbers of...
Show full commentIn my experience, people who want to integrate themselves are very good at doing so. They attend the local church, get to know their neighbours, talk to other parents at their children's school, etc. However, there are large numbers of people who simply don't want to get to know anybody, often excepting a circle of friends from the country they are originally from. On the bus and on the street, there is an entirely different mix of people than I meet in any local group. I really think that is because they don't want to get involved, not because they face barriers.
Show less of commentHuwC
Community Member 6 years agoJust bugs me why on any survey I have to state ethnic background.
We're all people so why does it matter?
alggomas
Community Member 6 years agoThere will never be equality, it is not possible. Give everyone a fair crack of the whip without hinderence.
Show full commentIf, and you are bringing race into it, a person black white or whatever Londoner cannot speak clear understandable English I will...
There will never be equality, it is not possible. Give everyone a fair crack of the whip without hinderence.
Show less of commentIf, and you are bringing race into it, a person black white or whatever Londoner cannot speak clear understandable English I will not employ them. This applies to doctors from abroad with limited English.
Also this diversity should apply nationwide not just London.
Look at the disgusting events in Rotherham! These high position police and child protection chiefs knew what was going on but we're frightened of the racist label. (Actually loosing their thousands a year and fat pensions).
It's fine if vulnerable kids are used as sex machines as long as we do not have to do anything.
I wonder how many of these people have lost their jobs?
I find it disgusting that wealthy or powerful people develop cancer ,dementia, or on other health grounds are unfit to stand trial.
bridgelene
Community Member 6 years agoI think that the insistence on using racial/ethnic/cultural/religious/sexual/gender labels is unhelpful and hinders equality. Monitoring how many people of a certain nationality/ethnic origin/religion etc enrol in a course, apply for a job...
Show full commentI think that the insistence on using racial/ethnic/cultural/religious/sexual/gender labels is unhelpful and hinders equality. Monitoring how many people of a certain nationality/ethnic origin/religion etc enrol in a course, apply for a job or buy a certain product only perpetuates the wrongly-held belief that we’re not all the same, that our individual characters are somehow defined by these labels. It’s a shame that we haven’t moved on from this yet. It's certainly not good for London.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoI have some sympathy with what you - I'm not sure that legislation has helped. Changing the language/labelling may give the appearance of changing attitudes without there being a real change in mindset. Getting to know a wide variety of...
Show full commentI have some sympathy with what you - I'm not sure that legislation has helped. Changing the language/labelling may give the appearance of changing attitudes without there being a real change in mindset. Getting to know a wide variety of people is what helps. l I often think of an erstwhile neighbour who complained about the changes in the street until I pointed out I belonged to the ethnic group he was complaining about. The response I got was "But I know you".
Show less of comment