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RESPONSE; James Cleverley
IT WAS with some disappointment that I read James Cleverley’s article supporting Mayor Boris Johnson who has been accused of not being in touch with Black London (Voice, March 1-7).
The Mayor’s support for the Black Cultural Archives’ initiative follows on from a commitment by the previous Mayor Ken Livingstone before May 2008. Mr Johnston’s support for the Notting Hill Carnival is understandable in view of the millions of pounds it generates for the UK’s economy.
Yet, Black groups are still complaining that the funding he provides for the Carnival is insufficient. I attended the African and African-Black Diaspora conference last year, and was very disappointed that it lacked genuineness, especially now that the Mayor has cut BHM funding by so much.
Did Mr Johnson meet with black Londoners for discussions before announcing the BHM cuts? If so, who were they? Our community has always been used as a political football.
With the huge cut in the budget, how is there going to be the “myriad of events on offer during October…” and how shall City Hall “celebrate BHM with a major event and creative exhibition?”
Arthur Torrington
Via email
Published: 31 December 1979
Issue: 1413
