What now for the debate on race?

Journalist and author Yasmin Alibhai-Brown is one of three speakers taking part in the University’s Annual Race Lecture tonight.

The lecture, hosted by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, takes the form of a series of talks, and will also feature Matthew Ryder QC and Carlene Firmin. They will address the topic ‘Race in 21^st century Britain: is the debate over?’.

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, pictured, will talk about race discrimination in 21^st century Britain, focusing on political inaction and its consequences on individuals, communities, institutions and wider society.

Carlene Firmin, Principal Policy Advisor at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and the youngest black woman to be awarded an MBE, will argue that the race debate is very much alive for children and young people. She will highlight the experiences of children in the youth justice and education systems, and the effect their age, race and gender has on their ability to access services, stay safe and feel supported.

Taking the suggestion made by some commentators and politicians that we now live in a ‘post-racial’ society as a starting point, Matthew Ryder will explore whether a black identity has relevance or value outside the context of racism, and if so what. He will also discuss the extent to which political policies about race are currently focused on the most disadvantaged in society, and the impact this has.

‘Race in 21^st century Britain: is the debate over?’ begins at 5.30pm at the Gillespie Centre, Clare College and will be followed by a drinks reception between 6.30pm and 7.15pm.

For more information about equality and diversity at the University of Cambridge, visit https://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/hr/equality/