There has been an outpouring of support for Anthony Ekundayo Lennon (Letters, 17 November), and I completely agree that his story is not “black and white”. However, I find it incredible that powerful black influencers in the industry are supporting him wholeheartedly because they know him, because they trust him, because they’ve had dinner with him and met his children. He has never lied. All of this is true, but doesn’t undermine the fact that the financial support Lennon has received was ringfenced for someone of an ethnic minority. This is not to deny any discrimination he may have suffered or how hard he has worked, but should he have been offered this position (with specific funding)? In my opinion, no.
If it was a white woman who had dedicated her life to black theatre, and almost certainly would have suffered prejudice along the way, should she have been eligible?
Furthermore, those people who are coming out in support appear to be shutting down the conversation, and as a black actor I genuinely feel that I would be shunned for voicing my opinion openly. Many of those supporters a few years ago were deeply offended by Rachel Dolezal, and while of course there are differences, there are also great similarities, in terms of feeling aligned to a group you are not necessarily a part of and actively working to support that group. The difference is that they do not know Dolezal and they do know Lennon.
This is not about Lennon at all, but about an industry that feeds and praises its own and formulates a nepotistic approach to all of its processes. Self-identity is a complicated thing and I know, as a mixed-race woman, that it can be hard to find a space that fits you and society’s gaze. I also know I might not be right on this matter, but I certainly don’t appreciate being told that my opinions are wrong and the seeming attempt to close down the conversation. I would be genuinely concerned to voice my thoughts on this matter for fear it would have a negative impact on my career.
We say it so much in a wider context, but maybe time to check your privilege? If things are difficult, step towards the confusion, open up the conversation and try to understand other perspectives: why other people may have been upset about this. I imagine we are all agreed that we are underfunded, underresourced and underappreciated as artists of colour, so let’s find an inclusive foundation place where all voices can be heard.
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