We Are Not Blameless

While the events over the Atlantic in the United States of America are shocking with the scenes of police brutality, the death of George Floyd and debate over whether statutes of slave owners should stay up, we cannot close our eyes to what has happened closer to home.

As Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said in the Senedd the deaths on the streets of the USA has brought to the fore the debate over racism on both sides of the Atlantic.

There is no doubt that structural racism lies at the heart of the injustice, and if we truly believe that black lives matter it is time we in Wales should acknowledge that and address it as a Welsh Government and as a society.

We are of course not blameless when it comes of slavery. In our history for example during the age of industrialisation the huge demands on the Welsh copper industry, resulted in copper imports from all over the world, including from copper mines worked by slaves.

The Senedd’s Culture, Welsh Language and Communication Committee that I chair has decided to review how appropriate are the statues and monuments displayed in Wales’ public spaces.

The Black Lives Matter movement is shining a light on uncomfortable truths and we cannot simply ignore them any more. The need for a debate about who is represented in our shared spaces is growing more urgent.

My Plaid Cymru colleague Pontyberem Councillor Liam Bowen has put forward a discussion about the obelisk monument dedicated to Sir Thomas Picton in Carmarthen.

Picton is accused of killing slaves and was convicted of torturing a young girl during his time as Governor of Trinidad, although he was never sentenced.

As Members of the Senedd we would like to gather as many views as we can on public statutes like Picton and we will be holding a series of meetings to hear what people have to say.

Details of how to contribute to this inquiry can be found on the Senedd Cymru website, or by following @SeneddCWLC on Twitter.

It would be wrong to assume that racism in Wales is something for our history books. A survey by the charity Show Racism the Red Card surveyed 800 teachers and educational staff across Wales, and found that nearly a third of respondents knew of a child in their school being bullied on the basis of their skin colour.

Plaid Cymru is calling for a review of issues like the much higher incidence of death from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities as a result of coronavirus. In June of last year, the BBC reported that, of 170 recent appointments to public bodies by the Welsh Government fewer than six were from BAME backgrounds.

Plaid Cymru wants an inquiry into the roots of and remedies to structural racism and racial disadvantage here in Wales.

The England and Wales justice system is another area where racial discrimination is evident. Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre, found we in Wales have an incarceration rate that is more racially disproportionate than England, which itself is more racially disproportionate even than the United States. We need the powers over police, criminal justice to create safer communities across Wales.

A privatised probation service, cuts to legal aid and not being able to access justice has resulted in more people in Wales being sentenced directly to prison. The privatised system means less supervision and provision. We need to work towards making a unique Welsh justice system with equality and rehabilitation at its heart.

Plaid Cymru put forward proposals in the Senedd in July to ensure that the Welsh Government’s new curriculum for schools in Wales would include black history. It is disappointing the Labour led Welsh Government and others voted against our proposals.

We believe the mandatory elements of the curriculum should include: black and people of colour history and the rich history of Wales, we also believe pupils should have the opportunity to be fluent in the Welsh language.

The strength of feeling and anger has been clear to see at the Black Lives Matter demonstrations across Wales, including supportive protests in Carmarthenshire. We have seen people of every colour and creed at those events. Reject those who attempt to divide us, let us come together in the fight for justice and freedom for all.

Together we will build a better Welsh society free of racism and intolerance.