| A man speaking more than 3000 miles away | | | | nation divided against itself cannot thrive in any |
| moved and uplifted me today as a Black woman | | | | way, it merely implodes from the inside. |
| and gave me hope for the future. He was | | | | Britons talk a lot about our multicultural society, |
| eloquent, passionate, good looking and fervent in | | | | but Black talent stays hidden in its own |
| his desire to make history; to show what could | | | | community, a victim of fear, prejudice, lack of |
| be achieved with simple belief and faith in one's | | | | opportunity and sheer exclusion, clothed in |
| ability. His team expected 1000 people to turn up | | | | invisibility and neglect, while deviance is trumpeted |
| to hear him announce his candidacy for the | | | | as the only Black and Asian achievement worth |
| presidency of the most powerful country in the | | | | noting in the public arena. We are about 25 years |
| world, but 15,000 actually made the journey to be | | | | behind America in the way we treat our diverse |
| part of history, fired by what was possible. I was | | | | communities, still a very long way from a Black |
| one of the first to subscribe to Senator Barack | | | | Prime Minister. Is change really possible among |
| Obama's online campaign a few weeks ago, | | | | such entrenched institutional racism? Perhaps not |
| though I am not an American. But I share one | | | | in my lifetime. |
| thing with Mr Obama, the belief that anything is | | | | After all, in 2007, the Local Government |
| possible if we just believe it, have faith in it and | | | | Association (LGA), based in London and avidly |
| act upon it. I believe in the power of thoughts to | | | | promoted by Mayor Livingston's office, has all 31 |
| get us where we want to go and Obama has | | | | of its most senior officers being White, despite |
| obviously been exercising his thoughts, big time! | | | | having 39% of minority staff working for it! The |
| As a Black woman in the UK, there are a lot of | | | | magnitude of this situation seems to have been |
| things I admire about America, though I wouldn't | | | | lost on the Mayor's diversity team if we can have |
| live there, as I love Britain too much. But America | | | | such a discriminatory situation in place, and posing |
| certainly has that quality of personal | | | | as normal! This authority (which boasts itself as |
| encouragement and the fulfilment of dreams. | | | | being "The UK's top government body") |
| Being successful might cost you an arm and a leg | | | | represents and advises every council in the UK, |
| in financial terms, but there are lots of fellow | | | | councils which serve a multicultural society. Yet |
| dreamers who are only too willing to help you to | | | | not one of its minority workers has been deemed |
| achieve that dream, living vicariously through you | | | | suitable for its highest positions to reflect this |
| to taste their own success too. America's | | | | diversity. What message of competence is the |
| vastness, immense opportunity and huge diversity | | | | LGA giving out to talented minorities, despite its |
| inspire one to greatness and Barack Obama, a | | | | office being based in our most diverse capital? |
| virtual unknown, is the living embodiment of what | | | | My pessimism is borne out by that incredible |
| is possible when the time is right, the belief is high | | | | example of exclusion. But, like Senator Obama, I |
| and the stars come together. | | | | audaciously live in hope. My love for the UK and |
| Terror and Crime | | | | its potential does not permit me to accept |
| Britain sadly lacks such dreams and success for | | | | otherwise. It would be too depressing. |
| Black people. We hear about British Blacks only in | | | | Next Vice-President? |
| negative terms of terror and crime from a tiny | | | | Much as I would like Barack Obama to become |
| minority. No one from minority communities is | | | | the next President, I do not think that he will, on |
| positively highlighted regularly in the media, as | | | | this round. I think he should be Hillary Clinton's |
| they do with the members of the White | | | | running mate and what an unstoppable team they |
| majority, because very few minorities are in the | | | | would be - his charisma with her experience, not |
| media to give it an alternative view and to widen | | | | to mention the differing gender, race and personal |
| its appeal. But the media merely reflects the rest | | | | ethos which would add extra appeal. He would at |
| of British society in its negative treatment of | | | | least dent her conservatism while gaining the |
| those who are different. If you wish to see the | | | | necessary training to succeed after her. We |
| true visibility of minorities in Britain, just cast your | | | | would also get three for the price of two as Bill |
| eyes around the entourage of the British Royal | | | | Clinton, that great orator and action man, would |
| Family and that of the Prime Minister. The only | | | | be in the background too. |
| face you might see which is Black will belong to | | | | Good luck, my friend. I have few doubts that |
| the odd bodyguard. There will be few Black | | | | when you reach the White House, you will also |
| people of substance in these illustrious circles. But | | | | have changed an awful lot of perceptions about |
| we are in the 21st century and minorities have | | | | what is possible right across the world. And, who |
| been here for years. Yet, leadership at these | | | | knows, even Britain, and its own minorities, might |
| heights, among people who are supposed to lead | | | | learn something of value from your courage and |
| our Commonwealth, is crucial to unite the nation | | | | audacity. Thank you for sharing your vision in such |
| and to give a strong message of inclusion. A | | | | a definitive way. |