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Institutional discrimination but not at the top!
Posted on January 11th, 2012
Last week saw the conviction of David Norris and Gary Dobson for the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993. The original murder enquiry led to the Macpherson report into the conduct of the Police with a finding of institutional racism. This phrase became a powerful motivator for change within organisations, with the wording alternated to institutional discrimination in order to encapsulate issues relating to gender. We view the consideration of discrimination through the structures of organisation as an important method for ensuring that minority groups are not abused by those in power.
There have seen some highly published events in football regarding alleged racist comments by fans and players, which have seen a Liverpool fan arrested and bailed. The Chelsea and England Captain, John Terry has been charge with racial abuse and is currently waiting for his case to be heard. These incidents demonstrate that racism remains an undertone within some aspects of our society. The answer is education and positive role modelling.
Step forward Mr Cameron, our Prime Minister. This leading political figure sets the ethical tone for his party and helps create the public image of the UK at home and abroad. Within the last year Mr Cameron as told a female politician to ‘calm down dear’ during a Parliamentary meeting, which he later apologised for. If Mr Cameron had attended a Social Work meeting and used the same comment it would have caused a great stir with fellow professionals, leading to stunned silence and at the very least a manager having a quiet word with him regarding his inappropriate behaviour.
Mr Cameron’s recent reference to shadow chancellor Ed Balls as a person with Tourettes suggests that Mr Cameron has not been taken aside and given advice on issues of equal opportunities. The comment caused dismay amongst those with first had knowledge of this complex neurological condition that has the potential to blight a person’s day to day functioning and the outcome was another apology from Mr Cameron.
What is sadly lacking is meaningful change. Stephen Lawrence’s death prompted an enquiry which concluded that institutional racism affected Police officers when it came to fulfilling their professional role. Yet in 2012 we still have a political leader, the elected head of UK politics, making crass and insensitive comments of a discriminatory nature. The remarks made by Mr Cameron would not have been tolerated in many organisations with anyone using similar statements likely to be facing some of disciplinary action. There is no indication of Mr Cameron being suspended so the institutional discrimination remains within the very place where legislation is passed. The question is would the Macpherson report have highlighted racial discrimination in the Houses of Parliament. Mr Cameron’s actions suggest that any derogatory comment would have been dismissed with a quickly apology. Mr Cameron does not stand alone in making inappropriate remarks in Parliament; I make an example of him in the belief that as head of the government he should know better. A heightened awareness by Mr Cameron might encourage those in general society to be aware of the impact of words used in a prejudicial nature.
This might be a simplistic approach to racism, but it is one where a lack of basic politeness has led to offensive phrases used in public. If these situations cannot be avoid then the complex issue of institutional racism and sexism indeed most forms of discrimination, will remain within organisations and British society.
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