Labour adviser sparks outrage over racism claim at BLM event
- Maya Sharma, a strategic adviser for the Welsh Labour government, claimed that only white people can be racist, linking racism to power dynamics.
- This assertion is part of the Re:Collections project funded under the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, aimed at promoting diverse historical narratives.
- Critics, including the Free Speech Union and Welsh Conservative leaders, argue this focus is a distraction from pressing public issues, like NHS waiting times.
In Wales, a member of the Welsh Labour government has faced backlash after asserting that only white people can be racist, as part of an initiative aimed at 'decolonising' the nation's history. This initiative is regulated by a project called Re:Collections, supported by the Welsh Government through the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, which seeks to represent the contributions of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic individuals. The definition offered by Maya Sharma, a strategic adviser, specifies that racism is linked to power dynamics where white individuals hold privilege over others. The framing of racism as a belief system rooted in white superiority has received criticism from various groups, including the Free Speech Union and Conservative politicians, who argue it detracts from more pressing issues facing the Welsh public, such as strained NHS resources. Critics assert that the current focus on historical narratives is displacing vital public discussions and concerns, marking the government's educational approach as out of touch with reality. The ongoing debate illustrates the contentious nature of reinterpreting history, balancing educational priorities with social equity goals.