AS A 44-year-old Black Londoner I find it disheartening to hear a middle-aged rich wealthy White man verbally attacking a Black woman for no apparent reason.

This week it was revealed that leading Tory donor Frank Hester said in 2019 during a meeting at his company’s headquarters that Diane Abbott made him  “want to hate all Black women” and that she needed “to be shot”

His comments were not just highly offensive and inflammatory, they have reignited discussions regarding the stereotypical portrayal of Black women in the UK.

When I was scrolling through my X (formerly known as Twitter) timeline and came across what Hester said I instantly thought about my hard-working mum. I just wanted to make sure she was ok and protected.

His comments were meant not just for Diane Abbott, but for Black mothers, sisters, grandmothers and nieces all over the country.

They have been put in the firing line and are now vulnerable to abuse and attack due to Hester’s vile and racist rhetoric.

Based on his wealth and credentials Hester should know better but he is only part of a problem that it is much wider than we think.

A lack of education and ill-informed perceptions of  Black women, are at the root of the issue here.

I was asked by Matt Hancock’s team in 2018 when he was digital minister to be part of a Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) project to tackle diversity in media and sports.

At the time it seemed we were heading in the right direction.  But despite government-level initiatives like these to tackle racism it’s clear we still have a long way to go.

For decades it has been the stereotypical norm for a Black women to be depicted as angry, uncontrollable and difficult to handle.

These portrayals are perpetrated by a mindset shaped by institutional racism.

People like Diane Abbott have helped to push these stereotypes back.

As the first Black female MP in Parliament she has helped pave the way for other Black women to get into politics. But sadly, her high profile has seen her regularly become a target of vile abuse, especially on social media from keyboard warriors and sections of the mainstream media.

Her White counterparts do not experience anything like the same level of abuse. So this highlights the fact that we haven’t got there, far from it when it comes to dealing with all aspects of racism.

This proves to me that we still have a very long way to go in tackling and stamping out all forms of racism.

It’s worth mentioning here that Hestor’s comments also throw a light on the fact that the issue  is not just about Diane Abbott. It’s about how Black people are generally perceived in British society. Do we really belong?

As a Black British Londoner I find myself repeatedly asking that question when I walk into TV, radio stations or private members clubs to work as a broadcaster or DJ. Often I’m the only Black person there and it feels as if I am part of a box ticking exercise.

I simply don’t see many other people like me doing what I do. I recently flagged up to a national radio station that there was only one Black presenter on its lineup.

However there was no answer to my observation from senior personnel at the station. It feels as if those type of questions can never be asked but the level of abuse directed at high profile Black figures should just be accepted.

If you or I were to mend such comment the police would be knocking on our doors ready to arrest and question as to why. No action so far has been taken by the police to question Hester’s motifs. Many of my Black friends have said nothing will be done.

This certainly shouldn’t be the case. But I feel racist behaviour and language in public spaces has been normalised by the Conservative government who feel scared to call it out.

What Hester said is not just directed to Diane Abbott, it’s directed to every Black family in the UK. It encourages hatred towards the community. It’s a direct form of racism that implies regardless of what a Black woman accomplishes she should be hated.

Hestor’s comments also throw a light on the fact that the issue  is not just about Diane Abbott. It’s about how Black people are generally perceived in British society. Do we really belong?

Ed Adoo

Another danger is that when people with mental health issues hear comments such as these they may internalise this hate speech and act violently as a result.

Politicians have recently called for more to be done to protect MPs from abuse. The good news is that there will be funding to tackle this.

But the government does not take firmer action on tackling racism and distancing itself from people like Hester it will show the government and Conservative party in a bad light.

They will be seen as the party that endorses racism and allows their donors to act and do as they please.

So far only two leading Black Conservative MPs have spoken out – Kwasi Kwarteng and Kemi Badenoch. But what about people like Bim Afolami and Lord Shaun Bailey – why haven’t they said anything? Their silence speaks volumes.

This is not about party politics this is about tackling race hate.  In order to show solidarity to all Black women in the UK Rishi Sunak should do what he needs to do to rectify the mess.

It took him a day to accept that Hester’s words were racist and sexist. Enough of the flat-footed action with speeches outside Number 10. It’s time for him to take action. 

Sadly the damage has been done but what can he do should do the right thing and return Hester’s money.

There should also be in-house initiatives implemented to tackle racism within the Conservative party.

It’s clear from the TV interviews with Tory ministers such as Graham Stuart and Mel Stride that senior figures in the Conservative party simply don’t understand the concept of racism.

Tackling this should be a priority and not a PR gimmick. 

Ed Adoo is a broadcaster and DJ