Institute of Race Relations newspaper cuttings

Topics include:

- Large amount of reports on the Brixton Riots and Lord Scarman’s inquiry.

- Large amount of reports on violence occurring within Coventry, including a police inquest into the violence, arrests and convictions, the influence of the National Front in the area, an imposition of a ban on further marches and protests in the city, and reports on tensions within the community. The Coventry Festival for Race Equality, headlined by The Specials, following acts of violence within the area, is discussed.

- Reports dealing with the aftermath of the Deptford Fire Inquest.

- Large amount of reports regarding the government’s Nationality Act as it went through parliament, including both support and criticism for the act. The Act’s supporters claim that the bill is “not racist,” but many protests occur as a result of its introduction.

- Several reports engage in a debate surrounding the introduction of the teaching of Islam within schools. There is support for a plurality of education to be taught, as well as numerous criticisms of Islam.

- Large amount of reports regarding the National Front and the British Movement Organisation. It is proposed that National Front marches be banned. Schools are reported to be investigating the National Front’s influence on young people

- Large amount of reports regarding the Rampton report, examining the educational achievement of Asian and West Indian children. Following the resignation of Anthony Rampton, there are protests, and the report itself is criticised.

- Reports of racially motivated violence, including property harm and destruction (including of religious buildings), physical violence, intimidation, and graffiti. Several instances of burning crosses are mentioned.

- Several reports of discrimination, primarily in employment, housing and healthcare.

- Reports concerning Sherriff Francis Middleton’s racial remarks in a sexual abuse case.

- Several reports criticizing the Home Office’s deportation policy, specifically as it pertains to mothers. In particular, the case of Jasminder Kaur is mentioned.

- Several reports of union efforts to stop racism, from the TUC’s plan to monitor the National Front, to union support to offer help in racially motivated employment tribunals, as well as calls for more employment protections and new race legislation.

- Reports detailing protests against Andrew Brons’ appointment to a lecturer post in Harrogate.

- Several reports regarding criminality, and how black offenders receive disproportionate sentences. There is also an ongoing debate regarding the bias of black juries.

- Large amount of reports regarding the murder of Terence May, including the creation of a memorial fund, as well as critique as to disproportionate coverage given to his death.

- Several reports regarding community tension following the establishment of mosques within areas.

- Several reports concentrate on violence occurring in Oxford, Thornton Health and Croydon.

- Several reports mention ongoing funding efforts to help immigrants learn English.

- Several reports mention proposals for the NHS to charge immigrants for use of services.

- Reports debating the appropriate usage of the word ‘black.’