11. Debate: Eradicating racism and building an anti-racist Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:08 pm on 19 October 2021.

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Photo of Rhianon Passmore Rhianon Passmore Labour 6:08, 19 October 2021

It is more than welcome that there is cross-party support from this Senedd Chamber to send a very clear signal of our collective determination to eradicate racism and to build an anti-racist Wales alongside a nation of sanctuary.

I was struck recently, as were many, by the unveiling in the centre of Cardiff of that statue of Betty Campbell, and the following day, Wales's national newspaper carried on its front page a simple photograph of the statue with the words, 'You don't have to settle for the boundaries people set for you'. But, as others have outlined, sometimes those boundaries just seem too hard to break when they are all around you. These were the words of Betty's granddaughter, Michelle Campbell-Davies, and they say, 'You cannot be if you cannot see'.

Betty Campbell was Wales's first black headteacher and was a distinguished councillor for her community of Butetown. And this wonderful statue by sculptor Eve Shepherd marks an important moment in the Welsh conversation about racial equality. But it just highlights how much further there is to go. We only have to look at ourselves across this Chamber to realise that there is still work to do. And so it was great to see, in the official royal opening of the Senedd, that mention was made of our colleague Natasha Asghar being the first female Member of the Senedd from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background to be elected to this place. But this should not be of note in a diverse Wales. This race equality action plan for an anti-racist Wales will work to address and to counter structural and systemic inequality, and advance opportunity for black, Asian and minority ethnic people in Wales. And so let's take this opportunity, all of us here together today, across this Chamber, on this. All for one, and one for all. Thank you.