A MIXED race councillor shed tears as she slammed colleagues for their “unconscious bias” in an emotional speech calling for better education around racism in schools.
Michelle Campbell put forward a motion at a virtual Renfrewshire Council meeting on Thursday asking members to call on chief executive Sandra Black and director of children’s services Steven Quinn to work with the Scottish Government and other bodies, such as Education Scotland, to ensure more anti-racism teaching resources are included in the school syllabus.
The motion called for more education on British colonies, as well as the country’s “regrettable but significant” part in the slave trade.
But, after a heated debate on the subject, Councillor Campbell hit out at some elected members in a passionate speech.
The Erskine and Inchinnan member said: “I think, today, there’s been so many examples of unconscious bias and I am so furious with the amount of white privilege and entitlement – and I share a chamber with you people.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves. I have dealt with racism my whole life. I’ve experienced that hate despite the education that has been spoken about. We have had legislative changes for decades, yet where is the cultural change to go with that?
“I will not sit in this chamber and be lectured by any of my colleagues when I am the only person of colour in this chamber, which is not reflective of our communities.”
Councillor Campbell accepted an amendment from Labour man Jim Sharkey which asked the council to also acknowledge the work of anti-slavery campaigners and for that to be included in educational resources.
Her speech came following a dispute earlier in the meeting over whether historic Johnstone figure John Fraser should be honoured with a plaque in Johnstone Town Hall.
Members were at loggerheads over whether to vote through Councillor Andy Doig’s motion to honour Mr Fraser, who founded the town’s Co-operative Society, or whether the community should be the ones to decide if he was commemorated.
Eventually, Councillor Doig’s motion was passed and a plaque will be erected.
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