Cllr Geoff Brodie (Ind Lab) used a question about the Dementia Strategy paper to bring up the subject of Gollygate at the Cabinet meeting last night (Thursday), leading to an open and heartfelt response from Cllr Karl Love.
Cllr Brodie’s written question to the Cabinet member read:
“In paragraph 41 of the Dementia Strategy paper the following lofty statement is made, “Our Alliance Administration celebrates equality and diversity in our communities.”
“Can the Cabinet member explain to me and other concerned Islanders how this ‘celebration’ fits with the unapologised posting by the Council’s Leader on her social media last November of a racially offensive image? And his own refusal to even consider its offensiveness at Full Council recently?
“Would the Cabinet member be as relaxed and unconcerned about social media postings by a leading public figure that were offensive to other people with different, protected characteristics?”
A week ago, Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox broke her silence on the Gollygate issue, saying that she loathed racism and other forms of discrimination “from the pit of my stomach”. You can read her statement in full.
Love: “I understand better than most”
Cllr Love, who is dyslexic, used a text reader to respond to Cllr Brodie’s question at the Cabinet meeting.
He told News OnTheWight that he can manage shorter speeches and does very often, but given the length of this one and the emotional nature of it, he opted for the text reader.
His speech read out to the meeting began,
“I understand better than most, as someone who falls within two of the nine protected characteristics under the Equalities Act 2010.
“I have and continue even today to suffer horrendous hatred and I have had to fight all my life to be free of the chains of discrimination. Some of those chains still remain.
“I and many other LGBT+ are still not living without an occasional glance over one’s shoulder, to see if we are in fact safe. I have been terrorised and traumatised by hatred over the years and I put my head above the parapet, to support and represent the hidden, frightened and silenced voice of others.
“This has made me and my partner a target but we battle on in the face of it as there is no other way.”
Fear of hatred and violence
Cllr Love’s response went on it say,
“Some of our friends have committed suicide, some too frightened to tell families of their love and life. Those who passed away who I called friends, some died in agony because of discrimination of HIV in the 1990s and I still carry their secrets and pain.
“Today I still cannot bring myself to hold my partner’s hand in public for fear of hatred and violence. That’s before I say anything about what it feels like to struggle and be treated as though I was worthless because of a life long struggle I have had with the written word.
“I truly know what bullying is, to be terrified and to consider Suicide as a way out. I chose to be someone who would stand up, taking personal risks in doing so, lay down in the road to protest for equality, human rights and educate people about equality and diversity so we can all live a better happier life. And yes, my extended family is of mixed race.”
Grieving his late Mother
Cllr Love carried on,
“You take the opportunity with in your question to challenge my commitment to equality and make no allowance to the fact, which you knew then and today, of my Mother’s passing and how I returned to the Island early, leaving my family grieving when I should not have done so.
“I returned to undertake my commitment to represent the people of my ward in that full council meeting. I was emotional, as I am now and did not respond directly to the issues raised although it may seem so. I responded in my disappointment and grief, to the hostile situation, chaos and manipulation of politics for personal party political gain. Having made my comments, I then left to recover myself.”
An attempt to hurt others
Cllr Love suggested the purpose of Cllr Brodie’s question was “to create a narrative of racism which does not exist”,
“I resent bitterly this slur on my character today by someone I respect for being different in their political approach.
“What I conclude is that these questions are nothing more than attempt to hurt individuals, to create a narrative of racism which does not exist and damage the public confidence in people and our Island council.”
“Equality and diversity are celebrated and engaged in all things and that I champion”
Going on to say,
“I can also better understand when there are opportunities to celebrate equality and diversity on our Island such as in the opportunities both my partner and I, our hidden communities, our council and many others have worked hard to create, supporting and encouraging Island people.
“I ensure, as does my ASC director, who will confirm that equality and diversity are celebrated and engaged in all things and that I champion and ask questions on these matters during our meetings.”
Leader is “honest in her determination to celebrate and support diversity, inclusivity and equality”
Cllr Love said he would step away from the administration if he didn’t believe the leader was honest about supporting diversity, inclusivity and equality. He explained,
“My life experiences have taught me to try judge people on the facts of a matter and their actions, to resist jumping to simplistic conclusions.
“I am totally confident, having known Cllr Peacey Wilcox for many years, she is honest in her determination to celebrate and support diversity, inclusivity and equality.
“Make no mistake, I would simply step away from this administration if I thought otherwise.”
Brodie has “misplaced and burdened me with his anger”
Approaching the end of his speech, Cllr Love added,
“Cllr Brodie has misplaced and burdened me with his anger while not offering any meaningful solutions for the positive engagement and better implementation of equality policy, diversity and inclusive practices.
“What do you want to see changed to create a more positive inclusive future for Island people?”
“Anger will only create anger”
Cllr Love finished by saying,
“None of us are perfect, we make mistakes, and it is what we learn, how we deal and respond from that which truly matters.
“Anger will only create anger and that will resolve nothing and I will not be diverted away from this important Dementia Strategy which we bring forward today in an attempt to be more inclusive, transparent and creative.”
Image: © With kind permission of Allan Marsh
