Lewes: Dealing with racism

It would be difficult to find another example of the incredible journey many people in Lewes embarked upon on Tuesday evening. Councillors, poets, writers, pensioners, bonfire society chiefs and many others packed a meeting room at the Pelham Hotel to talk about a subject many didn’t even think existed in their town - Racism.

David James Smith’s Sunday Times article about the racial prejudice his mixed heritage family had endured in the town they loved shook its residents to the core. 

Most were angry particularly about the hyperbolic headline, ‘England’s green and prejudiced land’ , which many felt unduly stigmatised their  town. An effigy of David James Smith was burned on bonfire night.

And yet on a cold winter’s evening a packed hall wanted to discuss, debate and if they could begin to resolve some of the underlying misunderstandings and tensions that  had caused pain on both sides of the argument.

Smith spoke first outlining why he set out to write the piece. "It wasn’t meant to be divisive. Provocative yes, to shake people from their comfort zone, and see how certain actions make peoples lives uncomfortable, even intolerable". He lamented how some uncomfortable truths would have to be told.

As the messenger who highlighted the 'uncomfortable truths' about the subtle forms of racism Smith himself came under some fierce criticism. ‘If he had these views why not speak to locals first’? One resident asked.

Another demanded that he apologise for insulting their town. Tensions were beginning to run high. In my short address I sought to recognise the efforts many individuals who had wanted  to find a resolution that would begin the healing process. But to do so, I argued, they needed to recognise the subtlety of racism’s many forms that cause pain, discriminate and demonise.

By the end of the meeting two elements shone out. First, everyone loved Lewes.  Actually some of the proudest proclamations came from the town's minority ethnic residents.

For example,  the Asian business man who had lived in the area for 25 years nervously stood up with tears in his eyes to inform the room that this town has meant everything to him.   "My wife is from here, I have my business here. I simply love this town".

The second and perhaps most important element arose without prompting, when residents began to speak about their own culture and racial identities.

An Irish woman spoke about how residents simplistically characterised her. Most were positive, she said but some were stereotypically negative.

A Jewish man spoke about being brought up a Catholic even though he knew he was Jewish. "Being Jewish held to much pain for me", he lamented.  "But’, he said, ‘I’m stronger now. It is easier for me to be honest about who I am and what that means".

For me, the most heartfelt contribution came from a young white woman, whose half-sister was mixed-heritage. She stood up and told the audience that;  "When I read the Sunday Times piece I, like many of you became  enraged. How dare they characterise my beloved town like that, I thought".  But it was her mixed heritage-sister she said who informed  her that, she too, had experienced what the article described, and worse. 

Again, with voice trembling, she said; " I’d never once considered how things might be different for my dear sister".

Anger, pain, understanding and the process of healing -  it was all there in Lewes last night. I’d personally like to wish all those who were there and the people of Lewes good luck. 

And I hope to be invited  back for the Lewes world-famous bonfire night next year.

Simon Woolley

Main picture: David James Smith and family