It was heartbreaking to see so many middle-of-the-road, ordinary men and women taken in by the UTK messaging, writes Darren Lewis. The Unite The Kingdom (UTK) rally in central London on Saturday drew thousands, many of whom were hoodwinked by divisive rhetoric.
A Champion's Achievement Marred by Abuse
Aaron Rai, a 31-year-old golfer born in the West Midlands, recently became the first Englishman in over a century to win the US PGA Championship. His achievement is magnificent, but his Indian parentage has subjected him to an avalanche of online abuse for being described as an Englishman. Lewis refrains from telling Rai's inspirational story, believing it should not make him any more English than anyone else born here. The mob would see him as the son of 'good' immigrants, while still wanting others deported or demonised.
The Contagion of Hate
Heartbreakingly, much of the country is knee-deep in this contagion. It was heartbreaking to witness the naive Black and Brown contingent joining the march, only to be mocked online by UTK supporters as not being 'one of us'. What did they expect? It was heartbreaking to see widely shared clips of humiliation and sexualisation of women of colour – by other women. It was heartbreaking to see so many ordinary men and women taken in by UTK messaging. It has been heartbreakingly predictable to see online endorsements of UTK from influential voices and individuals in positions of responsibility, including educators, cheering on participants on social media.
Media Complicity
Professional courtesy generally prevents self-examination in the industry, but it is important to understand how we got here. Sections of the mainstream media are complicit in disseminating the poison of the extreme right. Some do so in the name of so-called 'balance', even though one would never call for balance defending an abuser in a case of domestic violence. Some platforms continue to spread divisive rhetoric unashamedly, leaving families in fear, ordinary people on high alert, and the country as a tinderbox. Previously progressive broadcasters betray sections of their audience by asking what all the fuss is about, claiming they are 'just saying what everyone is thinking'.
The uneducated are influenced by incendiary, top-line, discriminatory messaging, with proponents well aware that audiences will not have the time or inclination for the detail as they get the kids ready for school or head off to work.
Silence Is Not an Option
Two years after the riots that ripped apart the UK, silence is not an option when racists and xenophobes at the UTK rally can continue whipping up hate and division across the country. Not every person attending was a racist. Many remain disillusioned by a Labour government eating itself and an utterly useless Tory party. Many will be offended at even the description of the rally as racist. Thing is, it was. No amount of indignation or pearl clutching will change that. Mass deportation on the basis of skin colour or religion is racist. UTK organisers claim the demonstration was for 'national unity, free speech and Christian values'. Actually, it was soaked in transnational far-right mobilisation and activism, with a line-up the old National Front and British National Parties would have been proud of. The irony of organiser Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and his henchmen posting themselves enjoying a curry after protesting all day against immigrants would have been lost on him. I hope a really nice one was prepared for them.
Political Complacency
Labour and the Tories should be embarrassed that the far right’s traction is based not on facts, but on making people feel seen. Their disgraceful complacency has left this country staring into the abyss. Little wonder the Greens are gaining so much ground on them.
