Brighton's White Night festival "too white", Green councillor claims (From The Argus)
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Brighton's White Night festival "too white", Green councillor claims
2:00pm Tuesday 27th October 2009 in News By Tim Ridgway
A councillor has criticised a free night-time festival for failing to encourage non-white people along.
The White Night festival, held in Brighton and Hove on Saturday, saw thousands of people take to the streets and celebrate the end of British summer time.
But Green Party councillor Ben Duncan said it did not welcome the city’s black and minority ethnic population.
He was speaking after a complaint was sent to all the city’s councillors and the local authority’s chief executive suggesting the festival alienated people.
Speaking on his blog, Coun Duncan said: "I think he might have a point: White Lights was fantastic. Although there were events specifically focused on ethnic minority arts, it still felt mono-cultural. "According to the 2001 census (now hopelessly out of date, of course) the city's Black and Minority Ethnic Population is about 15,000 people. Not many of them were out and about last night. "But racism doesn't have to be deliberate, or obvious: I really believe if someone reports that they have been the victim of racism then they probably have - and we at least have a duty to look more closely at their claims. "So let's see if we can make the festival a little more inclusive next year."
The festival, in its second year, was organised by the city council’s Brighton and Hove Arts Commission and supported by South East England Development Agency and Arts Council England South East. Brighton and Hove City Council said the festival was aimed at being inclusive to all.
Read Ben Duncan's comments in full at his blog here.
Comments(75)
bonkersbarfly
says...
2:08pm Tue 27 Oct 09
I'm sure that if they had WANTED to take part they would.
So a message to Ben Duncan. Sod off and go and eat some lentils.
worthinglogic
says...
2:14pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Nik Griffin
says...
2:15pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Read Wilftop above.
Honestly, some people have too much time on their hands....
quedula
says...
2:23pm Tue 27 Oct 09
joe le'mott
says...
2:24pm Tue 27 Oct 09
R Guss
says...
2:25pm Tue 27 Oct 09
I had a great time on Saturday night as did all the other people who attended - whatever their background. We were all enjoying ourselves too much to bother ethnically profiling each other. In this city it doesn't matter - we're all of a kind, whatever our roots.
I really hope the organisers have the good sense to ignore such nonsense and concentrate their efforts on another brilliant event next year.
Christophe Hawtree
says...
2:26pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Mr Imp
says...
2:27pm Tue 27 Oct 09
maybe its time to call for a ban on all mention of colours Black White Red Yellow Blue
and of course GREEN
Ben Duncan i think you have just cost your Green party a whole load of votes with this idiotic display of over emotional garbage
you'll be taking away our christmas lights at this rate
Kay Sexton
says...
2:29pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Hove1974
says...
2:29pm Tue 27 Oct 09
joe le'mott
says...
2:35pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Kay Sexton wrote:you should of come to the info point! i would of helped!!!
Well, I'm not an ethnic minority member so I can't comment on that but why the HELL did venues like Phoenix have an over eighteens only policy that wasn't mentioned in the brochure or anywhere else. We trekked up and down the city with a seventeen-year-old in tow to try and find places that young people would be allowed to enter. Would have been so nice to know in advance that the young shouldn't be exposed to (gasp) art!
BandWagonDiva
says...
2:38pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Would someone please tell Ben Duncan to shut up.
Absolute twit.
chrisso
says...
2:50pm Tue 27 Oct 09
jyan
says...
3:01pm Tue 27 Oct 09
pbbrighton
says...
3:02pm Tue 27 Oct 09
May I suggest the old adage ' if you don't have anything sensible to say then just shut up'.
Mr Duncan seems to dribble about anything and everything in the name of publicity. The man is a prat!
pancaker
says...
3:13pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Fight Back
says...
3:18pm Tue 27 Oct 09
*** note to self - don't cross that Green box next year ***
quedula
says...
3:26pm Tue 27 Oct 09
joe le'mott
says...
3:36pm Tue 27 Oct 09
quedula wrote:then you are segregating all those who are not pink or multi coloured. you racist!!!!!!! we should call it the Bland festival of absolutely no offence. there will be witch hunts and burning at the stake.
Oh! the penny's dropped its the name "White" Nights is the percieved problem. How about "Pink" or "Rainbow" nights next year?
The Devils Advocate
says...
4:10pm Tue 27 Oct 09
The Greens will think i am a Racist and a religious nut at the same time.
Good job we got to see his "True Colours" before an election to represent all members of our community
Da Prof
says...
4:27pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Beige?
Taupe?
Magnolia?
Fawn?
tinkywinky
says...
4:28pm Tue 27 Oct 09
I will not waste a vote on someone who just wastes people's time and creates division where there are none!
ShorehamBeachcomber
says...
4:41pm Tue 27 Oct 09
security word vote me out
zumo
says...
4:48pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Green Ben
says...
4:52pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Anyway, sorry to dampen down a good Argus yarn, but, to be clear, the criticisms of the White Nights festival weren't mine.
I enjoyed a great night, and am aware that there were events specifically marking Black History Month in the mix.
But the questions about the festival were raised by a resident - and I think it's my job as a local councillor to make sure residents' questions are always taken seriously.
That's what this post was all about: generating some discussion around a residents' email.
Well it's certainly kicked off a discussion!
tinkywinky
says...
4:53pm Tue 27 Oct 09
rayellerton
says...
4:53pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Number Six
says...
4:55pm Tue 27 Oct 09
For Christmas I'll send him a box set of the old Captain Scarlet tv series. With its Colonel White and Capatain Black etc should scramble his brains nicely
Mr Pickwick
says...
4:59pm Tue 27 Oct 09
yorkie44
says...
5:00pm Tue 27 Oct 09
melcarb
says...
5:25pm Tue 27 Oct 09
andyatit
says...
5:29pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Fight Back
says...
5:32pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Green Ben wrote:I would suggest you re-read your blog - you actually agree with the residents complaint on there. Meanwhile on here you seem to have forgotten that !
Thanks for all of your comments, most of which I agree with - apart from that of having too much time on my hands. I wish!
Anyway, sorry to dampen down a good Argus yarn, but, to be clear, the criticisms of the White Nights festival weren't mine.
I enjoyed a great night, and am aware that there were events specifically marking Black History Month in the mix.
But the questions about the festival were raised by a resident - and I think it's my job as a local councillor to make sure residents' questions are always taken seriously.
That's what this post was all about: generating some discussion around a residents' email.
Well it's certainly kicked off a discussion!
There's an immense differemce between taking a view / complaint seriously and actually agreeing with it.
Kemp Town resident
says...
5:33pm Tue 27 Oct 09
What nonsense! Not only did he promote this email by a resident mercilessly on his blog and Twitter but it was he - Councillor Duncan - who suggested the council was racist.
His tweet said: "White Nights v Black History Month. Racism at Brighton City Council?"
The resident had not even suggested any racism in his complaint. It was Ben Duncan who introduced the notion of racism. And he did it in the classic Daily Mail headline style, employing a question mark at the end so he could disassociate himself from the view if it proved to be less popular than he hoped.
Watch out for Cllr Duncan's question marks in his future blogs and tweets.
As for the issue of colour, I have a far better one than green for Ben Duncan and that's yellow. As in coward.
D360
says...
5:34pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Mr Pickwick
says...
5:48pm Tue 27 Oct 09
"Last week all councillors received an email suggesting that it was ironic that 'White' Nights was taking place during 'Black' History Month - a celebration which, he implies, has received less council support.
"The sender suggested the festival should be renamed 'light night' (as in many other towns and cities holding similar events), saying:
"'...as an ethnic minority resident of the city I don’t feel that the name of the festival celebrates the diversity of the city or indeed of an arts festival.'
"Furthermore, he suggested the event could incorporate a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of lights marked around the world with processions and street parties last week.
"Well I think he might have a point: White Lights was fantastic. Although there were events specifically focused on ethnic minority arts, it still felt mono-cultural. According to the 2001 census (now hopelessly out of date, of course) the city's Black and Minority Ethnic Population is about 15,000 people. Not many of them were out and about last night.
"But racism doesn't have to be deliberate, or obvious: I really believe if someone reports that they have been the victim of racism then they probably have - and we at least have a duty to look more closely at their claims. So let's see if we can make the festival a little more inclusive next year."
I really believe that if someone writes such meretricious rubbish, they really deserve to be really made fun of.
circa69
says...
6:06pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Nik Griffin
says...
6:07pm Tue 27 Oct 09
This bloke is a total dunce...
Tye
says...
6:19pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Ots like these councils "ooop North" that have banned Christmas as it may offend so it peeves the local white working classes and YET IF these people stopped being patronising about people of colour and ask the local s The Muslims, sikhs etc THEY are actually disapointed as they were looking forward to Xmas to.
I wonder how many people of colour you'll find in the green party - none around here - they haved too much common sense!
WHO DOES IT HELP BEN?
oldmarket
says...
6:34pm Tue 27 Oct 09
As a person of mixed ancestry myself (four grandparents of different nationalities) I can't say I've ever felt slighted by anybody celebrating anything. The only thing I'm a bit annoyed about is that I hadn't heard of the event at all and I'd like to have gone to a few of the things going on. I'll make a note for next year. If he attends, I'll do my utmost to ignore Councillor Duncan completely. May I suggest that voters do the same next time around?
straycat
says...
6:42pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Get a grip and stop trying to make political gain by storming about in your green tea cup.
Uncle_Meat
says...
6:53pm Tue 27 Oct 09
smalltowngirl
says...
7:00pm Tue 27 Oct 09
bug eye
says...
7:12pm Tue 27 Oct 09
NotGreen
says...
7:17pm Tue 27 Oct 09
I urge everyone to bombard Green councilors with mail demanding that they explain themselves.
RickH
says...
7:21pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Mr Imp
says...
7:25pm Tue 27 Oct 09
but you have admited that you had 1 complaint
do you not think it wise to look at the overall picture before subjecting yourself and your party to all this hate
and hate is not a strong word... people have had enough of this over sensitive nonsense
Conor
says...
8:12pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Brighton's White Night festival claims.
peebee9
says...
8:15pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Cgull
says...
9:30pm Tue 27 Oct 09
clearbluesky
says...
10:57pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Gazza
says...
11:04pm Tue 27 Oct 09
When driving up London I always take a detour around Black Fryers Bridge Because
A)I’m not Black and B) I don’t Own a fish and chip shop.
Whilst in North America we travelled up North to Yellow Stone national park but sadly I did not enter because A) I’m not yellow and B) I don’t drink alcohol
Yours Faithfully
58 Days to Xmas
B G Gruff
says...
12:06am Wed 28 Oct 09
another 1
says...
12:07am Wed 28 Oct 09
I'd far rather the stadium filled with shops & a hairdressers. Maybe next time the council want to focus on an utterly pointless 'issue' as opposed to something that actually effects the public (crime, aggressive youths) they can give me a call & we can discuss retailers.
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
6:21am Wed 28 Oct 09
This is exactly the sort of story that plays right into the hands of the BNP who could say "See what we mean? One non-white complains and the whole liberal political establishment jumps." Like others I was tempted to vote Green in the next election, but if this is the level of their political intelligence and cultural sensitivity then we're better off voting for the real Monster Raving Loonies.
tinkywinky
says...
6:38am Wed 28 Oct 09
The lunatics are running the asylum!
stan bailey
says...
7:15am Wed 28 Oct 09
Green Ben wrote:What; people discussing that it would be a bad idea to vote green. I live in Preston Park area, and thanks to the green vote at planning, schools that hadn't completed a traffic survey were allowed to expand and now it a nightmare on the roads.
Thanks for all of your comments, most of which I agree with - apart from that of having too much time on my hands. I wish!
Anyway, sorry to dampen down a good Argus yarn, but, to be clear, the criticisms of the White Nights festival weren't mine.
I enjoyed a great night, and am aware that there were events specifically marking Black History Month in the mix.
But the questions about the festival were raised by a resident - and I think it's my job as a local councillor to make sure residents' questions are always taken seriously.
That's what this post was all about: generating some discussion around a residents' email.
Well it's certainly kicked off a discussion!
Nik Griffin
says...
8:35am Wed 28 Oct 09
The problem with Mr Duncan is that he doesn't realise that he can ignore complaints that are just plain ridiculous.
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
9:31am Wed 28 Oct 09
Green Ben wrote:It's not really a discussion is it? We're all just taking it in turns to lambast your 'right-on' 1980s political correctness. Anyway, would you have taken this SINGLE complaint so seriously if someone had complained that the festival had tried to be too inclusive and hadn't properly acknowledged the contribution of the original white population in making Brighton the tolerant place it is today?
Thanks for all of your comments, most of which I agree with - apart from that of having too much time on my hands. I wish! Anyway, sorry to dampen down a good Argus yarn, but, to be clear, the criticisms of the White Nights festival weren't mine. I enjoyed a great night, and am aware that there were events specifically marking Black History Month in the mix. But the questions about the festival were raised by a resident - and I think it's my job as a local councillor to make sure residents' questions are always taken seriously. That's what this post was all about: generating some discussion around a residents' email. Well it's certainly kicked off a discussion!
Thought not.
Kanely Jay
says...
9:50am Wed 28 Oct 09
ps as a member of an ethnic minority group I prefer not to be spoken for by people like Mr Duncan who clearly do not really grasp the relevant issues around race even if they think that they do!
quedula
says...
9:51am Wed 28 Oct 09
richardjameswalsh
says...
10:17am Wed 28 Oct 09
Mr D Johnson
says...
11:13am Wed 28 Oct 09
I believe your comments on 'White Night' were deeply irresponsible. It is this kind of idiocy that plays into the hands of mindless racists and brings truly liberal minded people bad press. I'd also like to point out that you could at the very least get the name of the festival right (no 's' and also not 'White Lights'.)
.......A quote from your blog;
"...as an ethnic minority resident of the city I don’t feel that the name of the festival celebrates the diversity of the city or indeed of an arts festival." Furthermore, he suggested the event could incorporate a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of lights marked around the world with processions and street parties last week.
Well I think he might have a point: White Lights was fantastic. Although there were events specifically focused on ethnic minority arts, it still felt mono-cultural. According to the 2001 census (now hopelessly out of date, of course) the city's Black and Minority Ethnic Population is about 15,000 people. Not many of them were out and about last night.
.....Can you produce the evidence to prove 'Not many of them were out and about last night'? How many of the 50 or so events going on did you see? How much of the town did you cover in your research for this conclusion?
It seems obvious that the person who wrote to the councillors has got the wrong end of the stick. Mr Duncan should have spent his precious time writing back to the complainant to set him straight on the matter rather than the cheap political point scoring exercise he embarked on and in effect accusing the festival organisers and participants of racism and exclusivity.
Now, I'd just like to admit that I voted Green, Ben has put paid to my doing so again in a hurry. When will we get a councillor in this town who talks sense, acts responsibly and delivers on promises? Where will this person come from? Surely it's time for a new party, a new light in the house, someone to drive us 'wild' with excitement about local issues and politics... I could go on but I think I've made my point.
Abrightonian
says...
1:28pm Wed 28 Oct 09
Compared to some of his other pronouncements it's quite moderate, unlike his keeness for raising council tax, eliminating parking and hiking parking permit fees.
The Greens need to be scrutinised. They've been getting away with it for too long.
The Devils Advocate
says...
1:36pm Wed 28 Oct 09
They are a shallow one trick pony and once you look past the enviroment they are bankrupt and devoid of substance
Londononsea
says...
2:05pm Wed 28 Oct 09
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
3:48pm Wed 28 Oct 09
Londononsea wrote:Ladies and Gentlemen, after 67 posts we FINALLY have someone who doesn't think Coun. Duncan is a complete horse's a*se! (Cue round of applause)
White night does strike me as a bit of an odd name - not racist (and I don't think Dunan's saying it is) but perhaps a little bit old fashioned for a modern festival in the 21st century.... as for the Greens, well they seem like they're always pushing the boundaries and questioning things, nice to see things challenged...
Ok Londononsea why do you think the name is a bit odd and a bit old-fashioned? And if it isn't racist what's wrong with it being a bit odd and a bit old-fashioned?
Rupert.
says...
4:06pm Wed 28 Oct 09
Abrightonian
says...
5:11pm Wed 28 Oct 09
http://www.lbvcr.com
/
I wonder what PC Duncan, will have to say about it as car based festival! Oh no! All the people in the cartoon on theor homepage are white!
Hovist
says...
7:33pm Wed 28 Oct 09
southseasteve
says...
12:34pm Fri 30 Oct 09
greeg
says...
1:39am Sat 31 Oct 09
Voice of Wisdom
says...
8:03pm Mon 2 Nov 09
domcom
says...
11:04pm Mon 2 Nov 09
Wilftop says...
2:05pm Tue 27 Oct 09
Will people please stop with all this namby pampy political correctness. Speaking to friends of mine who are also of ethnic minorites we don't care, it's the doo gooders who make it an issue. Don't speak on our behalf we can speak for ourselves.