No to racism

I have watched in horror as racist thugs rampaged through the UK over the past few weeks. I felt utter dread but not surprise. Our mainstream media and politicians, with some exceptions, have been stoking the fires of Islamophobia and fascism for years now. What do we expect from journalists who both-side a genocide and won’t even mention Congo or Sudan? Our media is controlled by despicable billionaires pushing their vicious agenda onto our screens daily. We only have each other, and we need to look after one another now.

We need to come together and fight this disease. Although the events of the past weeks are shocking, racism is not only defined by burning a hotel hosting refugees. Many people truly believe they are not racist because they don’t try to burn people alive. Racism is much more insidious; it starts at work when you witness microaggressions towards your colleagues. We are nothing without the help of each other. It is easy to delude yourself into thinking you are safe because you were born into a privileged situation and have a skin color that won’t get you into trouble with fascist thugs. Think again.

The easiest path is to feel hopeless and give up. However, we have immense power. For instance, when you see so-called journalists grilling a Muslim MP on TV, it takes just two minutes to lodge a complaint via OFCOM (the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications, and postal industries of the United Kingdom). Take a few minutes to sign petitions and email your MP. All these seemingly small acts, if we all do them, can have a huge impact. Educate yourself, and please don’t burden your friends who are dealing with racism daily to help you with this personal task.

It's time to invest in our neighbors, support small businesses around our homes, and make sure no one is left behind.