Black Lives Matter
Today the Arts Council published a blog that states unequivocally that Black Lives Matter.
Ropetackle supports the statement below
Link to sources of how you can help support Black Lives in the UK, donation links, bail funds and informative ways of how you can educate yourself further: https://docs.google.com/document/u/4/d/10iIz_pFB8DzPkwddc8dcmJdJ0ZMITfTs7lvs4uyusZk/mobilebasic
“We need to be clear about this – racism is not a uniquely American issue. It exists all around us, and it’s not someone else’s or somewhere else’s problem. It’s all of our problem. It’s my problem. And it’s the Arts Council’s problem.
It is clear that despite our best intentions, we have so far failed to create the systemic, structural changes needed for our sector to be truly diverse, inclusive and welcoming to people from all backgrounds. There is still a long way to go to ensure that the creative industries reflect the way England looks today.
In the wake of the appalling deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and of too many others, and the subsequent protests that have swept across the globe, I have written a reflection on what we at the Arts Council need to do to tackle systemic racism and be truly anti-racist.
I’ve set out some of the actions we are already taking and the actions we are planning to take in the near future.
Over the coming days, weeks, months and years, I will do my best at the Arts Council to use my influence to create meaningful long-term change. I know that I share this aim with my Arts Council colleagues across the country.
I hope you will tell us what you think and hold us to account.
Darren Henley OBE
Chief Executive, Arts Council England”
