08/08/2024
To sit with the discomfort of viewing racism in the abstract is a privilege of white people. To be shocked at violent racism is a privilege of white people. Black and Brown people live with this reality every day of their lives. Britain is a racist country, even if you personally are not racist. Don't be shocked when it all blows up. Racists look like you and me, how do we tell them apart? Don't be fooled into thinking that racists look like or sound like the 'thugs' being portrayed by the media. This is insidious and is woven into the systems meant to protect everyone.
The level of hatred and vitriol that I am seeing is disgusting. But don't think that just because it bubbles down it isn't there. The turn around in the media today is disturbing, and feels like it is trying to soothe the white middle classes made uncomfortable by this display of aggression. Nothing has changed.
Ask yourself where your discomfort is, how easily you are soothed by the changing narrative. Because for those actually impacted nothing has changed. Yet.
Be the change.
This country is crumbling, the false catalyst for this violence, misinformation about an absolute tragedy feels to me that it could only be a catalyst if the embers were already there.
You can read the full blog on my website, link is in my bio.
I have to end this post with a thought for those families who have tragically lost precious babies. Because this has been lost because of anger and hatred. Too many babies are being killed, being killed in what should be safe places, being killed fleeing unsafe places in boats that sink, being killed in warfare, being killed by genocide.
My heart breaks for every one of them. We need more love, more compassion in this world.