Boris Johnson you are making a mistake. It is sad that as the Mayor of London you are unable to see the importance of multiculturalism. What is worse is that you cannot see the importance of uniting Londoners against racism.
Rise was Europe’s largest anti-racism festival. Since 2001 it has been supported publicly and financially by the Mayor of London, the trade unions Unite and Unison, and by the National Assembly Against Racism (NAAR). Last year 100,000 people from all over London – notably families and young people – turned up to support the message of previous years: ‘London united against racism’. It’s a simple line, but a strong one.
It is the young people who will react to the cancellation of Rise, the people that Boris should be trying to please the most. We are the generation who have been taught in school to appreciate others’ religions, heritages and skin colours. We are the generation who hate racism but can still see its presence in the capital. And, as we are constantly reminded, we have a vote – and therefore a voice – which matters. Boris, take note.
While announcing last year that the slogan was to be changed to ‘Celebrating Diversity’, our Mayor did not realise how effective a few words could be. The trade unions and NAAR decided to pull funding from an event that did not directly promote anti-racism. This should have kick-started Boris “piccaninnies” Johnson, but he pulled the festival altogether reasoning that: “Without a major sponsor in place it is not considered appropriate to spend such a large amount on a single event, particularly during a recession.”
Boris is instead planning launch a two-day festival called Rhythm of London. Its intent is to give youngsters the chance to “have a go” and gain “access to music education, instrument tuition and venues”. The first day of the July festival will see schools hand-picked by City Hall having the chance to learn music performance and education. A nice idea, but a bland one. Music education is an important part of children’s education, but surely the curriculum has music classes firmly stamped into its timetable already?
The second day witnesses live performance across the capital, including the project ‘Street Piano’, where pianos are placed at public landmarks for people to “have a go” on. But Mr Johnson’s motivation is a little more transparent than he would like to appear – he has also commissioned live music from local musicians to play in bandstands. Coincidentally, the bandstands are in areas that supported Boris in the election: Barnet, Hillingdon and Redbridge, among others.
The problem is not that the Mayor has replaced one musical event with another; it is that he has replaced the overarching message. Rhythm of London promotes musical education – well done. But Rise promoted anti-racism, addressing an issue that needs focus and attention now that the BNP has won its first place in the London Assembly.
Rise festival was not perfect and last July it had its’ technical glitches – the power on the main stage was cut bang on 20:30 when Jimmy Cliff was practically mid-song. But it didn’t matter. The festival worked because music is something that can be communally enjoyed despite the racial or cultural make-up of the audience. It created pride in the community and pride in the city.
The atmosphere of the whole day was that of celebration, inclusion and fun. It was community created through the belief that racism is wrong. Boris, do not shelve this belief, it is important that Londoners hear it coming from you, too.