Fighting the same fight in different ways

Sean Brierley’s article on the Commission for Racial Equality’s advertising (MW February 14) makes some challenging points. However, his analysis is inaccurate in places. For instance, the CRE was not involved with the Professional Footballers Association’s recent campaign featuring Benjamin Zephaniah’s “Dear White Fella”.

The CRE has worked with several award-winning advertising agencies to produce its campaigns, including the recent “Britain – we all make it unique” campaign. However, members of the public featured in this campaign did not pledge “not to be racist” but were asked to appear in the poster to illustrate the diversity of people living in Britain. The response to the poster has been very positive and over 15,000 copies have been sent out, particularly to schools. As a result of the campaign, the GLA and local authorities – such as Southampton City Council – have launched their own versions of the poster.

The CRE’s work is based on the Race Relations Act 1976 (amended in 2000). This requires us to work toward eliminating discrimination, ensuring equality of opportunity and promoting good race relations between all groups. The campaigns the CRE has produced over the years have been just one strand of this strategy.

Gurbux Singh

Chairman

Commission for Racial Equality

London SW1E

Sean Brierley writes: Mr Singh is right. Though the CRE set up the “Let’s Kick It Out” campaign with the PFA, it was not involved in the recent ad campaign. As for the CRE’s recent poster campaign, I could swear that I read the “pledge” reference on the CRE’s website two weeks ago. However, I cannot find it on the site now. Sorry.