LONDON:
A memorial statue of Jamaica-born Nurse Mary Seacole, located on the grounds of the Guys and St Thomas Hospital, central London, was vandalised last week in what some have described as a racially motivated attack.
The statue in honour of the 19th-century Jamaican was unveiled in 2016, the first such memorial in London for a named black woman. It was commissioned in recognition of her work to save British soldiers during the Crimean War between 1854 and 1856.
The vandalism saw red and orange paint thrown over the statute and graffiti daubed on its plinth as well as the base of the memorial. The Met Police are investigating the vandalism but have yet to confirm whether it will be treated as racially motivated.
The vandalisation of the statue follows a series of riots up and down the country in recent weeks, which have seen minority ethnic communities targeted.
Trevor Sterling, chair of the Mary Seacole Trust, believes the attack was motivated by recent incidents and shows the need for more education in society on what it means to be British.
In a statement, he said: “This is an example of the paucity of education among those of the racially motivated and the plethora of ignorance.
“We need to improve the dialogue and understanding about what being British is and what being British means, as well as understanding the contribution of those from diverse backgrounds through time, which is what has made Britain, Britain.
“Mary Seacole is a symbol of the National Health Service (NHS), diversity and social justice and her contributions were of real value to this country. I hope that this will highlight the need to enhance education on the subject...”
Among those who have condemned the vandalism are Vauxhall and Camberwell Green MP Florence Eshalomi, who appealed to the public to help fund repairs.
She said: “This is a disgraceful act of vandalism, after so much work to ensure Mary Seacole’s legacy is honoured. I am proud to have this memorial in the heart of my constituency, with so many people visiting the gardens and statue.”
Professor Ian Abbs, chief executive of Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital, said: “It is with shock, anger and great sadness that I have to report the Mary Seacole statue in the grounds of the hospital was vandalised. This is a disgraceful act of criminal damage targeted at a beloved statue and symbol of the values that we stand for as an organisation.
“Since it’s unveiling in 2016, the statue has been at the heart of many celebrations and important moments of reflection and remembrance for us in the Guy’s and St Thomas’ community.
“The statue of Mary Seacole has also attracted national and international attention of which we are rightly proud. We know that people come from across the UK and around the world to visit the statue, some bringing their children or grandchildren to take inspiration from this incredible black woman.
“For me and so many others, this statue is a symbol of diversity and inclusion. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of how we demonstrate our values, and many of us are fortunate to be able to walk past the statue each day we come to work.
“Mary Seacole’s high-profile position, overlooking the Houses of Parliament, is a constant reminder of the contribution of our black colleagues, past and present, both to the NHS and wider society.
“I am sure this senseless act of vandalism will elicit many different emotions, and so I want to assure staff that we are working urgently with the police and the Mary Seacole Trust, which plays a key role in the management of the statue and promoting Mary’s legacy, to have her statue cleaned and restored as quickly as possible, and do all that we can to help bring those responsible to justice.”
Also responding to the incident was Professor Nicola Ranger, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
She said: “Mary Seacole is a nursing icon whose dedication to the care of others continues to inspire our profession today. This display of racism-fuelled vandalism has no place in our society.
“This act of sabotage is unacceptable, and the nursing community will not stand for it. As the first statue of a named black woman in the UK, it symbolises not only Mary’s immense contribution to nursing, but also the contribution of people from minority ethnic communities.”
Professor Ranger stressed that the RCN will support the restoration of the statue and that it was firmly committed to championing the principles the statute embodies, both in nursing and the wider society.