Taking PRIDE in an old East End Tradition

This month is PRIDE month. Despite the negative headlines about dysfunctional politics in Tower Hamlets. Standing up for minorities and oppressed groups is an age-old tradition in the East End. 

Tower Hamlets is one of the most diverse boroughs in London, and London is the most diverse city in the world. A feature of diversity that has been with us for nearly 400 years, with the arrival of the Huguenots and the beginning of global trading. So in the 21st century in an era of divisive political rhetoric, it is always heart-warming to be in Tower Hamlets. Residents, activists and stakeholders show great resilience by refusing to give space to political rhetoric designed to invent and exploit differences. 

This is reflected across the political spectrum locally, in the attitude of elected representatives on the left and right. A political consensus in not only upholding the rights of individuals and minority communities but creating spaces in which minorities can lead. 

We have LGBTQ elected members in the Labour and Conservative parties in Tower Hamlets. And when Tower Hamlets crashed out of the orbit of our two-party system and elected an independent Mayor we witnessed a fantastic amount of national media attempting to divide our communities, and yet the first Muslim elected executive mayor in the country, elected no less – in a borough with the largest percentage of Muslim voters prominently attended and spoke at the local pride rally.

More work needs to be done

However, much work needs to be done, to tackle institutional barriers. For example, in the accurate reporting of hate crime. Too many racially and homophobic aggravated crimes are being classified by social landlords and the police as neighbour disputes. An insult to victims and a type of cover-up to hide institutional failures towards individuals with protective characteristics.

“Often those
I treat well are just the ones
who most harm me
vainly “

Sappho (630 – c. 570 BCE)

However, in the face of rising populist nationalism and the backdrop of the culture wars, more than ever we need to revisit and take PRIDE in the East End tradition of solidarity. Imagining and working together for a better world. #AnotherEastEndIsPossible.