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For women of colour, the EU equals hope For women of colour, the EU equals hope
(1 day later)
The EU referendum debate has brought rage, despair, hope, confusion and fear. As women of colour, we put our names to this letter for many reasons. Like millions of ordinary Brits, we care about our country and its peoples. We care about our children’s future. We honour our country’s past. We know we must be present today. There is no opting out. Equally important, we want our voices heard. The EU referendum debate has brought rage, despair, hope, confusion and fear. As women of colour, we put our names to this letter for many reasons. Like millions of ordinary Brits, we care about our country and its peoples. We care about our children’s future. We honour our country’s past. We know we must be present today. There is no opting out. Equally important, we want our voices heard.
Too much of this debate has been monopolised by a mono-chatter of white men in suits. Understandable at one level, unacceptable at another. With black and minority ethnic people making up 16% of our population, there are no excuses for the lack of plurality of voices in the mainstream media. We have a responsibility to the next generation to say we stood up and were counted. How else can we expect them to be fearless when they face challenges? Too much of this debate has been monopolised by a mono-chatter of white men in suits. Understandable at one level, unacceptable at another. With black and minority ethnic people making up 16% of our population, there are no excuses for the lack of plurality of voices in the mainstream media. We have a responsibility to the next generation to say we stood up and were counted. How else can we expect them to be fearless when they face challenges?
It is not our words we want the next generation to hear. It is our actions we want them to see. It is the belief that anything is possible. We live with the anger one feels at a political system that is fractured, of being left behind. We know that inequality, injustice and insecurity hit the poorest hardest. It is not our words we want the next generation to hear. It is our actions we want them to see. It is the belief that anything is possible. We live with the anger one feels at a political system that is fractured, of being left behind. We know that inequality, injustice and insecurity hit the poorest hardest.
We recognise the EU is far from perfect. We also know that paid holiday, parental leave, anti-discrimination measures, safety in the workplace and equal pay are all protected by EU legislation. The EU integration fund provides financial support to fight against racism and xenophobia, and the European structural fund invests in regional projects that don’t have the hothouse pressure of Westminster. For that we are grateful, for it allows creativity to blossom in the inner-city deserts where many of our communities live.We recognise the EU is far from perfect. We also know that paid holiday, parental leave, anti-discrimination measures, safety in the workplace and equal pay are all protected by EU legislation. The EU integration fund provides financial support to fight against racism and xenophobia, and the European structural fund invests in regional projects that don’t have the hothouse pressure of Westminster. For that we are grateful, for it allows creativity to blossom in the inner-city deserts where many of our communities live.
We urge all our communities to vote remain on 23 June. As a gesture of hope; as a commitment to the next generation; as recognition of the honourable men and women who fought for peace across Europe’s soil; as an action to look outwards, not inwards; for the belief that fear will not win and hatred is not perpetrated in our name.June SarpongBroadcaster and campaigner Yasmin Alibhai BrownAuthor and journalistKaty BlairCo-founder, Islington Chinese AssociationHelen TseChef and entrepreneurLisa TseChef and entrepreneurSamantha AsumaduEditor in chief, Media DiversifiedShahien Taj Director, Henna FoundationMeral Hussein-Ece Liberal Democrat peerKully ThiaraiArtistic director and CEOPamela ChabbaWriter and LGBTQIA activistHibo WardereFGM campaigner Professor Aisha K GillProfessor, Roehampton University Manjinder VirkActor and film-makerJacqui Dyer CouncillorArinder SadhraActorRohema Miah Samirah SiddiquiConservation assistant, WWFShazia NizamInternational marketing strategy directorFlorence NosegbGurpreet Kaur BhattiWriterRabyia BaigChairwoman for Worcestershire Conservative Future & UK Youth Employment Ambassador Sharmila Chauhan Adeola FadipeStudent and founder of BME LegalLiz WoodroffeGraphic designerTabyyabah AhmedSolicitorSubashini NathanBarristerSenay Nihat BarristerYvonne KramoBarristerSonali BhattacharyyaPlaywrightRozina VisramAuthorRachel McFarlaneSinger/songwriterPooja Kumar ActorSharon RaizadaWriterPreet Kaur Gill CouncillorGeeta Sidhu-RobbCEO Nosh Detox Delivery LtdSamina Bhatti Housewife and motherHarvinder Kaur Virdi Home support assistantArooj ShahChair of BAME Women North West LabourAbtisam Mohamed Solicitor/Labour councillor Priscilla NwikpoBroadcasterSalma Hamid Teacher and community organiser, Hope not HateKarenjit SahotaFirst assistant film editorCheryl GarveyDirector, Talk Listen Create Harjeet SahotaJunior account executiveIsabella SilversDigital assistant, Instyle MagazineNaomi LuieLawyerJen DavisLondon Young Labour BME officerYasmin WaltersDoctorEva SibandaMasters studentNicola Claire QuinnenDoctorAde OnibadaJournalist Rokhsana FiazCouncillorLynette ObengBusiness management studentAbimbola OgidanLaw studentJade Bentil StudentMuneera Tanya WilliamsRapper and community officer Dupsy AdefioyeMotherJendella BensonWriter, film-maker and motherHauwa KarayeEconomics and politics studentJane GrellPoet, writer and storyteller Cynthia NakanjakoStudent Catherine NalulePresident of Essex University East Africa Society Lola MosanyaStudentPriscilla MensahPresident of Cambridge University Students Union Janice BecklesBusiness consultantWinifred AdjeiBusiness coach Sheyi OgunshakinResearch executive Cynthia Edwards WilsonBusiness ExecutiveMaria Petnga-WallaceDiversity adviserGemma ParmarDiversity knowledge co-ordinatorLily Mensah YeboahEntrepreneur and business ownerErykah BlackburnIndependent domestic violence adviser/ cognitive behavioural therapist Chetna PandyaActor and creative director of Outspoken Arts CIAnna ChenRuhi HamidFilm-makerMichelle LeeFounder members of the British East Asian ArtistsMelissa SinclairEntrepreneurSusan BelgraveEmployment barristerEmmanuelle ChalonerStudentSamantha PierisPhotographerSonia NayyaActuaryBurinder SahotaDevelopment managerTia BegumHome school liaison officerSharon HamiltonCouncillorShaista Gohir Chair of Muslim Women’s Network UKShahda KhanActivist & member of a number of regional & national groups focusing on gender violence, extremism & interfaith cooperationSandi ThandiTeacherLaToyah McAllister-JonesSocial care consultant & community OrganiserMargaret McLennanCouncillor- deputy leader, Brent Council and Northwick Park WardSuki DhandaPhotographerSyeda Khatun Deputy leader, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Afia KamalCouncillor Gorton NorthZakkiya BanoTeaching assistantShahida ChoudhryActivist Bhaggie PatelConsultant mentor/coachSultana AliTeaching assistantSurinder KaurHousewife Amber LoneWriter/VAWG advocate Sanchia AlasiaCouncillor, BarkingFazia Hussain-BrownRegional Officer – Unite the Union Josie ChannerCouncillor, BarkingElizabeth KangetheCouncillor, BarkingSajda KhanDirector, JB Skills Training Reeta Bhopal BrackFashion designer ONE BCKomal IdrisInternational development consultant Abena Oppong-AsareCouncillor, BexleyJade BrowneEU TravellerYasmine DarCouncillor, MostonDr Mee Ling Ng Labour  councillor 1986-2002Merlene Toh Emerson Co-founder Chinese Liberal DemocratsRizwana JamilCouncillor, Bowling and BarkerendSughra AhmedPresident, Islamic Society of BritainSamayya Afzal Women’s Officer, Bradford Students UnionJen DaviesLondon Young Labour BAME OfficerBhakti Tailor Executive director, Hindu Forum of Europe Zahra KazmiThe Zahra TrustLorna FrenchWriter and associate lecturerSeyi Akiwowo Councillor, NewhamSade BrightCouncillor - Barking and DagenhamSusan Jamoke Fajana-ThomasCouncillor HackneyCllr Sade Etti Councillor Hackney Somi de SouzaActor and writerEleanor Lisney Lucy SheenActor and filmmakerMelody BrownActor and musicianDiane Meade Hair stylistWahida ShaffiCommunity activistRuth IbegbunaFounder and CEO of RECLAIMSimeilia Hodge-DallawayAuthor, producer, founder/managing director of Artistic Directors of the FutureAdeola SolankeWriter Sabina DittaCouncillor, Palfrey and DelvesRehana AzamGMB national secretaryNasima AktherCouncillor BradfordGeeta NargudFounder and director of Create Fertility Verona WhiteCelebrity hair stylistMiranda GrellBarrister Purnima C PendurthiStudentKavita SharmaYouth Activist We urge all our communities to vote remain on 23 June. As a gesture of hope; as a commitment to the next generation; as recognition of the honourable men and women who fought for peace across Europe’s soil; as an action to look outwards, not inwards; for the belief that fear will not win and hatred is not perpetrated in our name.June SarpongBroadcaster and campaigner Yasmin Alibhai BrownAuthor and journalistKaty BlairCo-founder, Islington Chinese AssociationHelen TseChef and entrepreneurLisa TseChef and entrepreneurSamantha AsumaduEditor in chief, Media DiversifiedShahien Taj Director, Henna FoundationMeral Hussein-Ece Liberal Democrat peerKully ThiaraiArtistic director and CEOPamela ChabbaWriter and LGBTQIA activistHibo WardereFGM campaigner Professor Aisha K GillProfessor, Roehampton University Manjinder VirkActor and film-makerJacqui Dyer CouncillorArinder SadhraActorRohema Miah Non-executive director of UKBCCSamirah SiddiquiConservation assistant, WWFShazia NizamInternational marketing strategy directorFlorence NosegbeAM, London Assembly Member for Lambeth and SouthwarkGurpreet Kaur BhattiWriterRabyia BaigChairwoman for Worcestershire Conservative Future & UK Youth Employment Ambassador Sharmila ChauhanWriterAdeola FadipeStudent and founder of BME LegalLiz WoodroffeGraphic designerTabyyabah AhmedSolicitor
Subashini NathanBarristerSenay Nihat BarristerYvonne KramoBarristerSonali BhattacharyyaPlaywrightRozina VisramAuthorRachel McFarlaneSinger/songwriterPooja Kumar ActorSharon RaizadaWriterPreet Kaur Gill CouncillorGeeta Sidhu-RobbCEO Nosh Detox Delivery LtdSamina Bhatti Housewife and motherHarvinder Kaur Virdi Home support assistantArooj ShahChair of BAME Women North West LabourAbtisam Mohamed Solicitor/Labour councillor Priscilla NwikpoBroadcasterSalma Hamid Teacher and community organiser, Hope not HateKarenjit SahotaFirst assistant film editorCheryl GarveyDirector, Talk Listen Create Harjeet SahotaJunior account executiveIsabella SilversDigital assistant, Instyle MagazineNaomi LuieLawyerJen DavisLondon Young Labour BME officerYasmin WaltersDoctorEva SibandaMasters studentNicola Claire QuinnenDoctorAde OnibadaJournalist Rokhsana FiazNewham councillorLynette ObengBusiness management studentAbimbola OgidanLaw studentJade Bentil StudentMuneera Tanya WilliamsRapper and community officer Dupsy AdefioyeMotherJendella BensonWriter, film-maker and motherHauwa KarayeEconomics and politics studentJane GrellPoet, writer and storyteller Cynthia NakanjakoStudent Catherine NalulePresident of Essex University East Africa Society Lola MosanyaStudentPriscilla MensahPresident of Cambridge University Students Union Janice BecklesBusiness consultantWinifred AdjeiBusiness coach Sheyi OgunshakinResearch executive Cynthia Edwards WilsonBusiness ExecutiveMaria Petnga-WallaceDiversity adviserGemma ParmarDiversity knowledge co-ordinatorLily Mensah YeboahEntrepreneur and business ownerErykah BlackburnIndependent domestic violence adviser/ cognitive behavioural therapist Chetna PandyaActor and creative director of Outspoken Arts CIAnna ChenWriter and Journalist
Ruhi HamidFilm-makerMichelle LeeFounder members of the British East Asian ArtistsMelissa SinclairEntrepreneurSusan BelgraveEmployment barristerEmmanuelle ChalonerStudentSamantha PierisPhotographerSonia NayyaActuaryBurinder SahotaDevelopment managerTia BegumHome school liaison officerSharon HamiltonCouncillorShaista Gohir Chair of Muslim Women’s Network UKShahda KhanActivist & member of a number of regional & national groups focusing on gender violence, extremism & interfaith cooperationSandi ThandiTeacherLaToyah McAllister-JonesSocial care consultant & community OrganiserMargaret McLennanCouncillor- deputy leader, Brent Council and Northwick Park WardSuki DhandaPhotographerSyeda Khatun Deputy leader, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Afia KamalCouncillor Gorton NorthZakkiya BanoTeaching assistantShahida ChoudhryActivist Bhaggie PatelConsultant mentor/coachSultana AliTeaching assistantSurinder KaurHousewife Amber LoneWriter/VAWG advocate Sanchia AlasiaCouncillor, BarkingFazia Hussain-BrownRegional Officer – Unite the Union Josie ChannerCouncillor, BarkingElizabeth KangetheCouncillor, BarkingSajda KhanDirector, JB Skills Training Reeta Bhopal BrackFashion designer ONE BCKomal IdrisInternational development consultant Abena Oppong-AsareCouncillor, BexleyJade BrowneEU TravellerYasmine DarCouncillor, MostonDr Mee Ling Ng Labour councillor 1986-2002Merlene Toh Emerson Co-founder Chinese Liberal DemocratsRizwana JamilCouncillor, Bowling and BarkerendSughra AhmedPresident, Islamic Society of BritainSamayya Afzal Women’s Officer, Bradford Students UnionJen DaviesLondon Young Labour BAME OfficerBhakti Tailor Executive director, Hindu Forum of Europe Zahra KazmiThe Zahra TrustLorna FrenchWriter and associate lecturerSeyi Akiwowo Councillor, NewhamSade BrightCouncillor - Barking and DagenhamSusan Jamoke Fajana-ThomasCouncillor HackneyCllr Sade Etti Councillor Hackney Somi de SouzaActor and writerEleanor Lisney Actress
Lucy SheenActor and filmmakerMelody BrownActor and musicianDiane Meade Hair stylistWahida ShaffiCommunity activistRuth IbegbunaFounder and CEO of RECLAIMSimeilia Hodge-DallawayAuthor, producer, founder/managing director of Artistic Directors of the FutureAdeola SolankeWriter Sabina DittaCouncillor, Palfrey and DelvesRehana AzamGMB national secretaryNasima AktherCouncillor BradfordGeeta NargudFounder and director of Create Fertility Verona WhiteCelebrity hair stylistMiranda GrellBarrister Purnima C PendurthiStudentKavita SharmaYouth Activist
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