ELREC has been dealing with numerous cases of racism in Edinburgh and Lothians, our Chair Foysol Choudhury had sent a couple of letters to some MSP’s and Councillors, in order to inform the situation and tackle this issue. Eleanor Bird kindly answered his letter, please check out her answer:
“As a local councillor, I want to assure you that there is no place for prejudice, intolerance or hate in Edinburgh and that as a council, we are committed to addressing and eradicating racism and structural inequality in all its forms.
In the context of the Black Lives Matter movement, we are listening to black and ethnic minority voices to agree a way forward to acknowledge the past and educate our children. We are working with the school community, young people, parents and staff – to critically examine the historical evidence around us, ensuring that black history and its role in our city are a core part of an inclusive curriculum. In this way, we will understand the wrongs of the past and dismantle their harmful and persistent legacy in perpetuating discrimination of this kind.
As Edinburgh’s Young People’s Champion, I have connected with Intercultural Youth Scotland, an organisation that is promoting youth-led Anti-Racist Pro-Black education to inform decision-making and I will engage with their ambassadors on an ongoing basis, to enhance my own understanding in order to be a better representative for the needs and expectations of them and their peers.
I will do everything in my power to help combat the blight of racism on our communities and work alongside any partner agencies and individuals towards a brighter future for my constituents and our city.”
