OXFORD’S new anti-racism charter has been criticised by a collection of action groups.
The Oxford Coalition of Black Communities and Communities of Colour (OCCCC), which is made up of groups such as Black Lives Matter Oxford, says it has ‘major concerns and objections’ to the Oxford Anti-Racism Charter.
The City Council launched it on October 30 setting out Oxford’s commitment to becoming a ‘truly anti-racist city’.
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Universities, schools, businesses and individuals are being asked to sign it, but the OCCCC says the way it was formed feels designed to deliver a set of ‘pre-determined’ results and outcomes.
It said: “As far as we are aware, none of the individuals/community groups invited to participate in the Oxford Anti-Racist Charter focus groups have been given the opportunity to help design and select the choice of questions used to frame the focus group format/narrative.
“We find it disappointing that Oxford City Council, in launching its Anti-Racist Charter, has not in our view met this essential good practice standard.”
In developing the charter, the council held seven focus groups with representatives from diverse backgrounds, community organisations, activists, and people of colour.
But the OCCCC says these people should have been involved ‘right from the outset’ of the initiative in the framing of questions and shaping of the overall charter.
It also says that although it supports the principles and aspirations within the charter, it lacks ‘concrete’ actions.
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The group said: “What we do find problematic, take issue with, and will fiercely contest, is the lack of transparency and public-community accountability around what current concrete action is being taken and what progress is actually being made in the here and now around delivering real tangible race equality outcomes which benefit all of Oxford City’s diverse residents.”
It gives an example of Nottingham City Council which is now mirroring the gender pay gap formula to start ethnicity pay gap reporting within its workforce to address any pay inequality in terms of ethnicity.
The City Council will review the charter annually; showcase the talent and achievements of ethnic minorities; and launch an ‘Anti-Racist City Quality Mark’ that organisations can download and incorporate in their stationery.
Councillor Marie Tidball, cabinet member for supporting local communities, said: “The Anti-Racist Charter is an important milestone for this city; it is the beginning of a process to understand the multi-layers of racism and discrimination so that we can deliver the change that we all want to see in the city – including overcoming institutional racism.”
