Singer Jamelia says ‘ignorance and indifference of white people’ has allowed UK racism to flourish

‘It’s not enough to just say ‘I’m not racist’ because you’re not a purveyor of overt racism,’ Jamelia said

Jamelia has said that the “ignorance and indifference of white people” has allowed racism to flourish in the UK.

Speaking to BBC News, the “Superstar” singer explained that “covert racism” affects every aspect of the country, and called on white people to do more to dismantle the systems currently in place.

“As a black person who lives in the UK, I can tell you that we have a serious issue that goes far beyond the overt,” Jamelia said.

“It’s the covert racism that is so damaging and insidious, because it’s literally woven into the fabric of society. The ignorance and indifference of white people allows a level of complicity, so you contribute by not being aware.”

She then went on to explain that racial biases are commonplace in the country’s education, healthcare and judicial systems, as well as the barriers put in place “when it comes to loans and insurance, house and home ownership and opening a small business”.

She continued: “I need to speak and I need to say these things so white people do become aware that your privilege allows you to benefit from a system that chronically affects and damages black people, and now that you’re aware of that, it’s not enough to just say ‘I’m not racist’ because you’re not a purveyor of overt racism.

“If you benefit from the system, knowing that people are being oppressed and affected by it, then you are racist. To be anti-racist you have to be actively a part of dismantling the systems that surround you and the systems that you benefit from.”

Elsewhere on BBC News, Jamelia also called upon Boris Johnson to properly tackle systemic racism in the UK.

In a statement, the prime minister said he did not approve of protesters “flouting social distancing”, following a weekend of protest against police brutality and historic and systemic racism in the UK.