Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has given its full support to a new anti-racism movement being launched later this month by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership and the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit.
Created to proactively challenge racism in all areas of society, the movement is part of an ongoing commitment to tackling structural and institutionalised racism and addressing health and social inequalities across West Yorkshire and Harrogate.
The movement, a recommendation from a West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership review published last autumn into the impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities, will see staff and members of the local community putting their faces to the movement’s visuals in high profile places including sports clubs and hospital grounds.
Imagery from the campaign will be displayed on buses and across social media platforms with the hashtag #WYHRootOutRacism.
The movement will encourage people to better inform themselves on anti-racist behaviours and practices whilst highlighting real-life stories.
Developed from insight gained through people’s personal experiences of racism, the initiative will encourage everyone to root it out and stand together.
Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said:
“Manningham Housing Association rejects racism and will challenge it wherever it is found.
“We are proud to join colleagues around the region in opposing racist behaviour and shining a spotlight on those who seek to sow hatred, discrimination and division in communities.
“I congratulate West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership and the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit for devising this innovative campaign and look forward to MHA playing a full part in ensuring it achieves positive results.”
Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said:
“As one of the country’s leading BME housing associations, MHA has always taken a lead in tackling racism head-on.
“Racism was an evil blight on society when MHA was founded 35 years ago and it remains equally abhorrent now.
“We will stand up for those who are subjected to vile racist abuse and discrimination, and stand against the sick individuals and groups who peddle racist words and deeds.”