Ed Vaizey responds to British East Asian Artists open letter on cultural inclusion

Ed Vaizey responds to British East Asian Artists open letter.

The BEAA writes:

Some of you may have seen yesterday an open letter from British East Asian Artists (BEAA) to the Minister For Culture, Ed Vaizey. The letter was in response to Mr. Vaizey’s recent roundtable discussions with leading black actors and industry heads about the lack of opportunities for “Black & Asian” actors in the UK.

We wrote because it’s simply too easy for us, the “third minority”, to be overlooked and ignored.

Today we received this from Mr. Vaizey’s office –

“Excellent points – thank you. Will include you in my thinking and invite you to my next round table”

Harriet Harman, the Labour Shadow Culture Secretary is also keen to meet with us.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who shared, tweeted and supported the open letter yesterday. When more of us speak up we are a powerful voice. Let’s not think of ourselves as the “smallest ethnic group”. Let’s think of ourselves as the third largest and fastest growing.

It’s extremely heartening to see more and more of us moving away from that “silent model minority” stereotype which will only ever renders us irrelevant and invisible.

If you want to be heard In modern Britain, you have to (in the immortal words of the Beastie Boys), “fight for your right to party”.

Let’s continue doing so.

Press pick up on the BEAA letter to Ed Vaizey.