Labour Party Black Section Paper on the Inner Cities

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This 1988 Labour Party Black Section paper titled "Positive Action for Cities" addresses the harsh realities faced by Black communities living in Britain's inner cities. It highlights systemic racism in housing, employment, education, and policing, while critiquing government responses. The document aims to spark broader discussion on effective policies for racial justice and urban regeneration.

Key points:
– 68% of Black people in Britain live in metropolitan counties, facing poor housing and economic conditions.
– High unemployment affects Black youth disproportionately, with 32% of Black men aged 16 to 24 unemployed versus 18% of white men.
– The education system has historically failed Black children, often labeling West Indian pupils as 'educationally sub-normal'.
– Police harassment and discrimination at work—sometimes by unions—compound the challenges faced by Black communities.
– The paper criticizes the Conservative government’s 1988 'Action for Cities' plan as superficial, emphasizing law enforcement over genuine regeneration.

This paper reflects the struggles and organized resistance of Black British communities in the 1980s, a key period for anti-racist activism and political mobilization within the Labour Party. It illustrates concerns central to Black British politics and local government about structural racism, economic inequality, and the suppression of inner-city communities—issues championed by figures like Bernie Grant.

Source note: The OCR text contains some minor errors and irregularities which have been carefully interpreted to preserve the original meaning and context.