Why a new name?

North Somerset Black & Minority Ethnic Network
to
Race Equality North Somerset…

As society changes and the needs of communities change, we also need to be able to respond accordingly. This work has included reviewing our activity focus and our branding (especially the use of the controversial ‘BME’ and ‘BAME’ labels). 

Following research, we have been able to return to our original core values as a serious charity promoting the welfare and wellbeing of minoritised ethnic communities across North Somerset, using the name originally suggested by our charity’s management in 2013: ‘Race Equality North Somerset’.

Our new name was publicly announced during Race Equality Week, 2022, and has been formally accepted by the Charity Commission as our official working name. This important change in branding and in our renewed focus has been warmly welcomed not only by ethnic minority groups but also by the local District and Town Councils, funders and other VCSFE organisations in North Somerset and beyond.

Reference Notes:-

Below are some article examples for reference and further reading on the topic of the use of ‘BME’:-

• ‘Race’ Definition [Equality Act 2010] (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/9)
• Why we no longer use the term ‘BAME’ in government (https://equalities.blog.gov.uk/2022/04/07/why-we-no-longer-use-the-term-bame-in-government)
• Writing About Ethnicity (https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/style-guide/writing-about-ethnicity)
• Recommendations from the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-report-of-the-commission-on-race-and-ethnic-disparities/foreword-introduction-and-full-recommendations)
• Beyond BAME (https://pure.coventry.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/41898015/Beyond_BAME_final_report.pdf)
• Diversity Guide – Race/Ethnicity – Equality and Diversity (https://www.devon.gov.uk/equality/communities/diversity/guide/race)
• Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Race and Ethnicity (https://style.ons.gov.uk/house-style/race-and-ethnicity) 
• Please, don’t call me BAME or BME! (https://civilservice.blog.gov.uk/2019/07/08/please-dont-call-me-bame-or-bme/)
• Don’t call me BAME’: Why some people are rejecting the term – BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53194376)
• BAME: A report on the use of the term and responses to it (https://bcuassets.blob.core.windows.net/docs/csu2021325-lhc-report-bbchighres231121-1-132828299798280213.pdf)
• Use of language: race and ethnicity | Advance HE (https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/guidance/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/using-data-and-evidence/use-of-language-race-ethnicity) 
  
• A guide to race and ethnicity terminology and language | The Law Society (https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/en/topics/ethnic-minority-lawyers/a-guide-to-race-and-ethnicity-terminology-and-language) 
• BAME – UK broadcasters commit to avoiding catch-all term (https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/uk-broadcasters-bame-acronym) 
• UK broadcasting industry agree to abandon terms of BME and BAME UK broadcasters BAME acronym: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-59559834#:~:text=UK%20broadcasters%20have%20committed%20to,specific%20terms%20to%20describe%20ethnicity)