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We use the term musicians who experience racism to collectively describe Black, Asian and minority ethnic musicians. Black, Asian and minority ethnic musicians face structural barriers such as racism, assumptions about capabilities based on stereotypes and a lack of representation across the music industry. These are just some of the issues musicians who experience racism face.

Guidance & resources

News & features

Explore the latest on the issues of racial discrimination in music.

Folk singer-songwriter Satnam Galsian standing in front of a tree and wearing bright clothes and jewellery.

Satnam Galsian for Women’s History Month: "My Journey Through Music as a South Asian Woman"

In our first blog for Women’s History Month 2025, British-Punjabi folk singer-songwriter Satnam Galsian shares her recent work to challenge traditional ideas about women’s roles in society, the importance of representation, and educating young people about careers in the music industry.

Published: 06 March 2025

Read more about Satnam Galsian for Women’s History Month: "My Journey Through Music as a South Asian Woman"

Have Your Say on the Value of Black British Music

Artists, creators and industry professionals working with Black British music are encouraged to take part in the survey to understand the value that the artform brings to the UK music industry.

Published: 04 December 2024

Read more about Have Your Say on the Value of Black British Music

CIISA Launches Open Consultation of Standards for Creative Industries

The MU is encouraging all members to take part in the consultation (which runs until 27 January), to help set out the minimum standards of behaviour expected across the UK’s creative industries, to enable safe and inclusive working environments.

Published: 02 December 2024

Read more about CIISA Launches Open Consultation of Standards for Creative Industries
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Representing and advocating on behalf of musicians experiencing racism

Our network for members who experience racism is a space where people with shared identities and backgrounds can connect, network and make positive change across the MU and the music industry.

Join our Member Network

The network ensures that the voices of members who experience racism are heard and that opportunities for activism and leadership are created.

Sign up if you are a musician from a Global Majority background to get your voice heard.

Sign up now

Representing and advocating on behalf of musicians experiencing racism

Allyship

What we do

Your Union

MU Equality Action Plan

The MU's action plan created in consultation with our members, as a way of implementing our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

Read more about MU Equality Action Plan
Linton Stephens

We need to educate people as to why the playing fields are so uneven in the first place, and teach everyone to understand why a lack of diversity is an issue.

Linton StephensBassoonist & Chair of the MU EDI Committee
Chi-chi Nwanoku

Chineke! aims to be a catalyst for change and increase the representation of Black and ethnically diverse musicians in British and European orchestras.

Chi-chi NwanokuThe Chineke! Foundation founder
John Shortell

At the MU we lobby on a more diverse curriculums and syllabi, Ethnicity Pay Gap reporting and a Fair and equal representation.

John ShortellMU Head of Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion

Organisations we work with