Remember: Black Lives still Matter

I was happy to read in this newspaper that due to the Black Lives Matter protests, that there will be a review of public monuments. These are symbols; this will not fix our economy nor our education system, but symbols resonate, writes cllr Shaz Nawaz, leader of the Labour group on Peterborough City Council.

If we say that a particular aspect of the past is something we wish to move on from, then we do well to remember it, but not revere it.

So, is that it, then? We remove a few statues, we change a few street names, we memorialise Mary Seacole just as much as Florence Nightingale, and that’s it? Given our bite-sized politics, our transient news cycles, and quick-fire headlines, perhaps some would like to think so.

The British people believe in fairness and equality. Most people get angry and annoyed when they see someone being treated differently or poorly because of their gender, colour of skin, sexual orientation or for any other reason. We all want the same thing: to be treated with respect and dignity. Where this aspiration falls short is that we may not always understand what our symbols and actions may mean. Put simply, we need better education, and that applies to everyone. We all need to be more conscious of our differences so that we can become more familiar, form friendships, celebrate our differences and live in a society that is more equitable.

We look to our City Council to provide good public services. We look to our Parliament to pass just and wholesome laws. These institutions are also a reflection of who we are. We are making progress but not fast enough. Our country has a proud experience of leading from the front. We have been drivers of change throughout the world over many centuries. Sometimes we’ve made mistakes but that’s to be expected. We’re human. But hasn’t stopped is our drive to make the world a better place. We should continue in this pursuit because it is a worthy ideal.

So, here is where Black Lives Matter becomes challenging: how ready are we for change? As is clear from the demonstrations that have occurred in Peterborough, London, Bristol, and elsewhere, there is a significant number of people who demand change. But is it enough? Are we ready to challenge the systems which have surrounded us for a lifetime and demand that they shift in response to the needs of justice? This is a question to which I don’t have a clear answer; I don’t believe anyone does.

I don’t believe the current government is looking for an answer to this question. They pay lip service, they look furtively into their history books, wait for the news cycle to turn and carry on as per usual. They hope that the re-emergence of Premier League football and the cricket will distract us, along with all the other usual delights of the British summer time. A government that was concerned about it would at least keep the conversation going; I have seen little sign of this. The City Council is reviewing monuments and street names: all well and good, but how much of a review do we need? How much haste will be applied?

Elections in our city will occur next year. However, a moment of self-reflection is never too soon in coming: who are we? What are our values? How much do we value justice? How will we achieve this? In the meantime, the Labour Group and I will keep in mind the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice”. We intend to remain ahead of the curve.