With cultural diversity in the UK more prevalent than ever before new research looks at cultural diversity in the UK, and whether it’s accurately represented in UK media. Research finds that over a fifth (22%) of Brits don’t think diversity in represented in the media, and 10% wishing they knew how to immerse themselves in other cultures.
Those aged 16-24 were most likely to feel Britain’s cultural diversity is not accurately represented in the media, and they were also the group most likely to wish they knew how to immerse themselves in other cultures.
In recent years there has been a surge of multiculturalism within the UK, with rapid growth in the African/ Carribean diaspora as seen in cities such as London, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester and Ireland. 21% of people in the UK admit to already feeling the influence of other cultures in our everyday lives, with African culture being a prime example of this – from music to fashion and entertainment.
Almost a quarter (24%) have sampled African influenced food such as Jollof rice, fried plantain or pounded yam. Just under one in five (19%) listen to music of African influence and over one in ten (13%) have attended events influenced by African culture, with a further 10% admitting their fashion sense features African influences.
According to the survey, 41% recognise the importance of cultural diversity, with almost half of those surveyed (46%) believing it is important to teach children about other ways of life and over a quarter (28%) expressing an interest in learning more about other cultures around the UK.
In bid to continue celebrating Afro – Brit culture, next month Africa MediaWorks; a new African media hub based in West London will launch YANGA! The first commercial African entertainment channel, with orginal content reflecting the lives, issues and vibrant energy of the African Diaspora.
YANGA are bridging a huge gap in British television as there currently no African focused TV channels in the UK which create original content to focus and mirror afro-brit society. Over the years people have experienced African TV through low budget studios, poor quality camera’s and questionable narratives, YANGA! have recruited some of the best African talent in the UK as well as top notch producers and editors to deliver never seen, world class quality shows to our screens.
YANGA! has a range of entertaining original commission, shows which include “NUMBER 6” a free-spirited night time comedy show. Presented by the witty and charming Mansour Bellow welcoming some of the most popular Afro-brit black comedians. YANGA! will also showcase “FIZZI” a children’s programme, including singing, dancing and African nursery rhymes. Presenter, Gbemisola takes kids on an exciting and imaginative adventure through the shows ‘The Adventures of Lola and Chuchu’ and ‘Turtle Taido’. These are just two of many great shows launching on the platform.
YANGA! means “self-pride” and showing-off in West African Pidgin and is an expression of self-confidence, rather than arrogance (a crucial distinction). When the channel launches, a campaign will run featuring Afro-Brits , from all walks of life, who will express what “yanga” means to them.