Petition to ban ‘blacking up’ at Lewes Bonfire

The petition, which asks for the immediate banning of the Zulu mimicking tradition, where white revellers wear Zulu costumes and paint their faces black, has been set up by Jamie Measure-Hughes, 26.

It is not the first time Jamie, an artist, has set up such a petition – but, he said, in light of everything going on across the world, it ‘was a good time to raise the debate again’.

“It is an ongoing debate and happens every year,” he told the Express.

“Lewes, a town that is known far and wide for hosting, what can only be described as one of the most impressive bonfire celebrations anywhere on the planet, is also a town that harbors, as many do across the country, racial inequality.

“An incredibly prominent manifestation of this racial inequality is the annual tradition of impersonating POC, through blacking up with face paint and black body stockings, and caricaturing swaithes of BAME communities and POC.

“This simply falls under ‘tradition’ and that should suffice? Surely we know in our hearts this is not good enough, when POC have vocally objected to this annual mimicking.”

He said across the globe, individuals, organisations, governments and everybody that can are standing up in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the condemning of racism in all of its evil manifestations, institutionalised or individual, indirectly or directly, unintentionally or intentionally – but now it is Lewes’ turn.

“The borough bonfire society said they would be putting an end to it and they put forward a promise that it wouldn’t happen again,” said Jamie.

“There can’t be any more promises – there has to be a policy. Something needs to be done immediately.”

He continued: “This petition is not designed to divide and upset residents of Lewes or surrounding areas, but quite the opposite.

“Many have felt that because of these traditions that they can not become involved with this immense and honestly, spectacular event that hundreds of thousands from around the world flock to see.

“As is happening around the globe, it is my assertion that bonfire societies, all seven of them, need to publicly depose and stand up against racism, and as stated earlier, this is not just claiming ‘we aren’t racist’ but proving that they are learning, growing and educating to better become anti-racist.”

Jamie has lived in Lewes for 20 years and has been going to the bonfire celebration during this time.

He said: “It was only when I got older I was aware of these issues and did some research.

“I have spoken to hundreds of people about the bonfire celebrations in Lewes, and after any brief introduction to the event, the question quickly follows, ‘dont people black up there?’ and the answer? Yes they do, it happened last year actually, even though it was promised it wouldn’t.

“It is a small minority of people that are still doing this tradition, but there is no sort of overdue momentum to put a stop to it.

“Surely, you might think, anybody would jump at the chance to passionately quash and demolish racism, in all its forms and vile embodiments that it takes? Sadly not.

“It is common opinion that, in publicly asserting this stance Lewes should become more united.

“The societies need to jump on the chance to try and stop it which isn’t really happening. I hope this year is the change.”

Jamie’s change.org petition has already been signed by more than 1,000 people.

He told the Express this demonstrated it is an issue that people feel strongly about.

Steve Brigden, town clerk at Lewes Town Council, said: “The town council has an Equality; Diversity and Inclusivity Working party that is looking at revisions to our conditions for hire of land and buildings with a view to strengthening the council’s position should it feel it necessary to cancel or terminate an event. You will appreciate that this needs to be legally robust and considered carefully, and consider all points of view.”

Lewes Bonfire Council has been approached for a response.