“The language of instruction and literature is saturated with words, concepts, idioms, sayings that have strong and loaded values and nuances that suggest, directly or indirectly, notions of racial superiority, inferiority, and suppression…These notions of racial dominance and superiority were formerly reinforced in schools, where the languages of Third World peoples were denigrated and marginalised.”
(Wong, A. The language of the black experience, 1986:118)

“Race equality is a moral imperative. It also makes the best use of the available pool of talent and allows everyone, regardless of colour or race, to achieve their full potential. So there are economic and social benefits too…One of the Government’s central aims is to achieve a society where there is respect for all, regardless of their race, colour or creed, and a society that celebrates its cultural richness and ethnic diversity”.
(Former Home Secretary, Jack Straw: February 2001)

Tackling racism and other forms of discriminatory practices, which rely upon notions of ‘inferiority and superiority’, should be a top priority for the Government and other organisations. To this end, The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 places a general duty, as well as specific duties, on employers and local authorities to be proactive in combating social inequalities, as a way of promoting a successful, inclusive, multi-cultural Britain.