'Don't blame racism for your woes'

Agencies

The Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, has told young black people in the UK to stop blaming racism for their problems.

He also told them that success does not lie in guns, gangs, knives or worshiping celebrities, observing that prisons, mental health units and young offender institutions are holding up too many black people.

Dr. Sentamu made the remarks in an interview with The Daily Mail newspaper to coincide with Black History Month.

He also noted that young offenders’ units are full of young black men, many of whom under-achieved at school and thought that the only way of earning a quick buck was by committing crime. Sentamu told young people to fight prejudice and bias by challenging injustice.

The Black History Month is marked annually in October, to highlight achievements of the black community in the United Kingdom.

According to the newspaper issue of Thursday, Sentamu also criticised African nations for blaming their former colonial masters for their problems.

“Europe may have underdeveloped Africa, but I believe we have had the opportunity since then to shape our future and destiny and are in danger of squandering these opportunities,” he added.

Sentamu noted that African countries are bedeviled with corruption and lack of democracy, with several leaders amending constitutions to stay in power.

Sentamu, the only black bishop in the Church of England, is a renowned speaker against racism.