Why So Few Black And Asian People At Glastonbury?

[naomi24]

Lenny Henry, that stalwart champion of 'diversity', says he is “always surprised” by the lack of black and brown people at Glastonbury, as he called for better representation of ethnic minorities in all facets of British society.

Are they prevented from buying tickets - or is it that they just don't fancy living for several days in a tent in a muddy field?

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/jun/14/lenny-henry-always-surprised-lack-of-black-asians-glastonbury

[Bobbisox1]

We had one in Newcastle and I hadn’t realised it’s had to change its name so as not to offend

https://ibb.co/QfT5b82

[goodgoalie]

Why so few white people at Eid celebrations?

[Bobbisox1]

Probably because it’s a Muslim Festival GG

[davebro]

Just reminded me - my subs are due for White's Club!

[naomi24]

Another opinion.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-reason-glastonbury-is-so-white

[sandyRoe]

^ That is only available to subscribers

[Bobbisox1]

Naomi I can’t see your link as a window asking to subscribe blocks it from viewing

[aelmpvw]

bobbi, click on the x in the corner of the window to delete it

[FatticusInch]

Prudie
//Canary and Sandy sorry but your views are way off the mark unless you think it's sill 1960. I dont know a single Black Boy pub in my area of South West England and non whites are not treated like ***.//

Well I believe they actually are on the mark.
I’ve been to a Black Boy pub in Carnarvon in North Wales and recall the owner of the B and B I was staying in down in Cornwall.
He was an ex London taxi driver who remarked that ‘he liked living where he does now because of all the white faces’.
He said that in 2010.

[Ken4155]

Bobbi, that pub you mention didn't 'have' to change it's name. There were no complaints or petitions, etc. The owners chose to change it's name when it was refurbished, citing the reason that they didn't want to offend people. Had i been a regular there, i would have barred myself and encouraged others to do so until the name was reinstated.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/groat-market-pub-blackie-boy-21404458

[Prudie]

Fatticus Caernarvon is hardly south west England. It is also a part of Wales I'm very familiar with. Lots of the locals also hate the English (white ones mainly) but nobody gets all defensive about that, it's acceptable racism.

[Spicerack]

‘he liked living where he does now because of all the white faces’.

So do I. So what?

[Deskdiary]

Much like Diane Abbott (who is a racist), David Lammy and a few others, Lenny Henry sees racism in pretty much everything, but to crowbar a racist slant into black people choosing not to attend Glastonbury is absurd.

[naomi24]

Sorry bobbi/sandyRoe. Ron Liddle says // The question for Sir Lenny, then, is why should rock festivals be perfectly representative, statistically, of the British demographic? Does everything have to appeal to everyone equally?.... When I hear Sir Lenny talking about Glastonbury, I am reminded of Sadiq Khan fretting over the fact that there are too few black cyclists on the roads of his benighted satrapy and that something needs to be done. But if more black folks wished to ride a bicycle, they would pop round to Halfords and buy one – nothing is stopping them. Similarly, the drive to force black people to take a nice walk in the country seems to me misplaced. Not everybody wants to climb a mountain or dawdle alongside a river. Black culture both here and in the US is defiantly, steadfastly, urban//

He also says that the target audience is 40 somethings who are happy to have going-on 80-year old Paul McCartney headlining. Personally, I wouldn't blame anyone for doing something more appealing.

[goodgoalie]

We have constant stuff like this. Like the recent attempt to get more 'people of colour' to go out walking in the countryside. Maybe it's just not what appeals to them.

[Bobbisox1]

Ken I hadn’t realised it been changed to be honest , till I looked for it on Chronicle Live myself

[ichkeria]

It’s a cultural thing.
I’m sure khandro is closest to the mark here

[ichkeria]

“It’s interesting to watch Glastonbury and look at the audience and not see any black people there,
“I’m always surprised by the lack of black and brown faces at festivals. I think, ‘Wow, that’s still very much a dominant culture thing.’”

It’s hardly controversial. He’s right.
Glastonbury artist-wise is pretty multicultural but the audiences aren’t

[naomi24]

You've missed the point, ich. He //called for better representation of ethnic minorities in all facets of British society.//

Let's hope his message reaches the proper target - the black and Asian communities. No one is stopping them buying tickets for Glastonbury - or from going wherever they want to go.

[ichkeria]

He’s isn’t saying anyone is stopping them from buying tickets.