Why the lack of diversity in the independence movement is a problem

Cytuno/Agree ..... but theres a big area of diversity thats not yet tapped...and its the eastern border Welsh .... independence support is lowest here....its crucial there are spokespeople from places like Brecon ..... there even used to be a few tories from East Wales who were pro self rule..but disagreed with plaid cymru's economic principles.......... In other words....there must be more geographical diversity as well as ethnic groups ..... also a few English speakers too are required consdering 25-30% of Wales is English identity

Arguing the case for Independence means this is a one issue discussion, are you for or against Independence for Wales. Are you a leaver or remainer. If I was talking to two people and they were a sort of Welsh version of Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson with wholly opposite opinions on how an Independent Wales would be run their opinion on how Wales would be governed is irrelevant. The only opinion relevant to me would be, are you for or against Independence. Likewise, if you are of a particular ethnic group or of a particular sexuality, or whatever, your opinion about how that should be addressed post Independence should be addressed post Independence. There's nothing we can do about any of it in a specifically Welsh context until Wales is Independent. So, again, the only opinion that is relevant at this moment is are you for or against Independence. There may be a thousand different priorities out there but arguing those cases now just dilutes the core message.

Completely agree. Another reason for tackling this issue right now is that Welsh Nationalists need to put clear water between them and the way the media define "Nationalist" ie fascist, right wing, white supremecist etc. Welsh Nationalism is inclusive, not exclusive. Let's lead by example

Here's the threat to the independence movement spelled out - 'Why aren't we this/that . . . why don't we have speakers from this group/that group . . . why are there so many white heterosexuals here?' Unless the independence movement is welcoming to ALL without LABELLING then it's finished. I say that because it will become a vehicle for fringe groups more interested in promoting an ideology or a minority interest and that will turn off the majority of Welsh people. The KIND of independent Wales we create must be decided AFTER independence by the DEMOCRATIC wishes of the people. Any attempt to set an agenda now risks jeopardising independence, and calls into question the true priorities of those making these demands.

Though I agree with the thrust of this article, I can't help thinking that it kind of misses the point somewhat. As the article sort of points out, and as John Young emphasises, the independence thing is just about independence, are you for it or agin it? I think most of us are aware of the many other issues facing minority groups of all kinds, and those should not be neglected, and indeed, if a policy of intersectionality is to be genuine and actually work, then it has to be a seamless operation where all considerations are given equal weight, and where no one consideration can be allowed to trump another, no matter how inconvenient, or apparently 'impractical' this might be. Don't wait to be invited, just turn up and get involved, the more the merrier, and be aware that the (white, straight, male and middle-class) organisers might be wary of sending out specific invitations because it might be interpreted as an attempt at a tokenistic inclusivity.

I agree with this, but when you have very little diversity in your area, it becomes much more difficult. You can't ask people to move into an area just so they can tick the box for you. If I said I won't do this panel because of the lack of diversity then the panel will never happen

What do you expect with a blood and soil anthem only sung in Cymraeg and that extols the DNA of our fathers? Just look at all the marches all white Anglophobes who come from areas that never see a black face? If you want to see how inclusive welsh nationalism is take a visit to Llanrwst for our 'nationa;' Eisteddfod

I totally agree with the thrust of this argument, but I think that some of the criticism of last Saturday’s march feels a little bit unfair. There were eight speakers, four of them were female, and one of them was from a BAME background. This was a march held in Gwynedd, where 99% of the population identifies as “white” (according to the census). So yes, we should continue to work towards a more diverse movement. And yes, it’d be good if the next march gave greater prominence to BAME voices, and to other marginalised groups. But let’s not create a distorted view of last Saturday’s march as being whiter and more male than it actually was.

I'm sure Ms Fee means well but if I were trying to hobble the movement for Welsh independence before it became airborne, I would try to focus it on second-order issues such as ethnic diversity. Only 5% of the population of Wales identify themselves as coming from a non-white background*, so to insist that every panel of less than twenty people must have BAME representation is to insist that BAME people be over-represented. (If, that is, one accepts that the independence movement should have exactly the same ethnic mix as the general population.) On the other hand, 22.5% of the Welsh population of working age have a disability, and they are treated as invisible here. Shouldn't they be included? Or don't they count as "diverse"? Also, I suspect that buzzwords and modish phrases such as "emotional labour", "intersectionality", "tokenistic" and "tropey" are unfamiliar to most people in Wales and may alienate them. There's no point in assembling a panel if no-one wants to hear what it has to say. Incidentally, Ms Fee's points about the sacrifice of pride and ego-less acceptance seem more religious than political. Nothing necessarily wrong with that, of course; but it does make it look as if she is looking for converts rather than supporters. What will "an independent Wales where we don’t replicate the failings of the existing British state" look like? A shining city on a hill? * https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Equality-and-Diversity/Ethnicity/ethnicity-by-area-ethnicgroup Roughly one in six people in Cardiff is from a non-white background; and about one in 120 on Anglesey.

It's a question of priorities, and the priority is the need to end Cymru's colonial status and gain independence. Any other injustices, genuine or not, have to wait their turn. It seems inappropriate, in a relatively non-multicultural society like Wales outside Cardiff, to prioritise an issue that would have little meaning or relevance throughout most of the country. Nevertheless, anyone who believes in Wales, who emotionally invests in Welsh culture, and who supports Welsh independence would be justified in staking a claim to participation in the independence movement, rather than sitting waiting for acceptance and approval from some non-existent 'exclusive' hierarchy in the movement. Our largest immigrant group, the English, now includes a number who have embraced Welsh culture and language and doubtless took part in the marches in Cardiff and Caernarfon, or gave the marches thair tacit support. Nothing to stop anyone else doing the same. As others have commented, the most important thing at stake right now is, "Do you, or do you not, want independence for Wales?" That's the only box that the author needs to give some serious thought to ticking.