Twenty years since she made history as the first Black Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Valerie Amos reflects with pride on the positive changes in Britain. During Black History Month,
the 69-year-old Labour peer firmly disagrees with Home Secretary Suella Braverman's recent statement that "multiculturalism has failed." She emphasizes that diversity is among the UK's greatest strengths. While she acknowledges that racism remains an issue and more work is needed, Baroness Amos believes that the nation should celebrate the significant progress that has been achieved.
Baroness Amos, who was appointed a life peer by Tony Blair in 1997, states, "I don't agree with Suella Braverman's comments. One of the strengths of the UK is our diversity and the ways in which cultures have fused to create Britishness. It doesn't mean that challenges don't remain. But I feel very strongly we should be celebrating how we came to be who we are." She further notes, "Britain now is not the Britain of 1963, and I'm really proud of that."
As a former United Nations undersecretary general and a humanitarian activist alongside prominent Black figures like Beyoncé and actor Forest Whitaker, Baroness Amos acknowledges that while racism persists, it has taken on different forms. She mentions "indefinable" discrimination that affects people's confidence and hinders opportunities, particularly in employment, housing, and the criminal justice system.
Baroness Amos reveals that she has spoken to numerous women of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds who frequently face setbacks, which in turn affect their confidence. They may doubt their qualifications or experience due to the persistent obstacles they encounter. Born on the island of Wakenaam in Guyana, Baroness Amos personally experienced racism when her family relocated to South East London in 1963.
During her school days, she and her siblings were initially placed in lower-tier classes but were later reassigned to higher levels following her mother's insistence on testing. In another instance, when her family moved to a new home, a neighbor initiated a petition to prevent them from buying property on the street. Reflecting on her upbringing, Baroness Amos fondly remembers her mother's unwavering advocacy on behalf of her family. Photo by Simon Davis/Department for International Development, Wikimedia commons.