John (not John the Baptist), a middle-aged white man, often describes himself as someone who “is not racist.” He points to his cordial relationship with his Black neighbour, Kwame, as proof. “Kwame and I get along just fine,” he often says. “How could I be racist? We chat over the fence, and our kids play together sometimes.” John’s relationship with his Black colleague in the office, James (not related to the writer of the King James Bible), further solidifies this belief in his mind. “James and I work side by side every day. We’ve even grabbed lunch together a few times.” Apart from these, his local football team has a few black players who, according to him, he chants their names whenever they play exceptionally.
Yet, despite these assurances, John’s opinions and actions tell a different story. On social media, in family group chats, and even in conversations with friends, John expresses strong resentment toward immigrants. His rhetoric is peppered with inflammatory language, filled with fear-mongering and generalisations. He blames immigrants for what he sees as the decline of his community. “They’re walking our streets, taking our jobs, and pushing us out of our homes,” he often writes. “It’s not safe anymore with all these foreigners coming in. They don’t belong here.”
What about your immigrant neighbour or colleague at work, John? “It’s not the same,” he often argues. “Kwame and James are different. They’ve been here forever. But these newcomers don’t respect our culture, our way of life. They’re a threat.”
The truth is that John’s views are rooted in a narrow understanding of race and racism. He believes that because he has a few friendly interactions with black individuals, he is exempt from being labelled as racist. In his mind, racism is overt and blatant, such as shouting slurs and joining hate groups. But the racism that John exhibits is more insidious, manifesting in his attitudes toward those he perceives as outsiders, particularly immigrants.
This type of racism is often dismissed or minimised because it doesn’t fit the traditional, explicit definitions that people are used to. However, it is just as harmful, perpetuating stereotypes, fear, and division. John’s refusal to acknowledge the humanity of immigrants, his quickness to blame them for societal issues, and his inflammatory comments contribute to a larger culture of exclusion and xenophobia.
What John fails to see is that his views on immigrants are not separate from his overall racial attitudes. By dehumanising those who are different from him and scapegoating them for economic and social challenges, he is engaging in the very racism he claims to loathe. It’s not about having a black friend or a friendly relationship with a black colleague. Racism is not just about individual interactions; it’s about systems of power, privilege, and exclusion.
John’s story is not unique. It’s a reflection of a broader societal issue where people are quick to absolve themselves of racism based on superficial interactions while harbouring deep-seated prejudices that go unchallenged. Until John and others like him confront these contradictions, their denial will only serve to perpetuate the very racism they believe they have transcended. The continued denial is manifested in the recent nationwide far-rights protest in the UK.
In a country where everyone knows at least 47 ways to describe the weather, there has been a bit of a kerfuffle lately. The UK, never one to shy away from a good protest, witnessed a series of far-right demonstrations that left the country feeling a bit like it’s been caught in the middle of a pub brawl.
It all started when a group of individuals, fuelled by misguided patriotism and too much time spent on conspiracy websites, decided that it was high time to take back their country. From whom, you might ask? Why, from the immigrants, of course! The likes that John would rather not see on the streets. Those dastardly folks who’ve been sneakily propping up the economy, picking fruit, nursing the elderly, and, according to some particularly imaginative (or ignorant) locals, stealing teeth in the dead of night.
These protests have attracted a mixed bag of characters. Take, for instance, the 12-year-old boy who recently gained dishonour for allegedly helping to set fire to government property. It’s still unclear whether his actions were driven by discontent with current immigration policies or because his favourite YouTuber failed to upload a new video that day. Either way, he’s become a poster child for the far-right movement.
And let’s not forget the toothless woman who claims her missing pearly whites were stolen by immigrants. Funny. Now, in any other context, this would be the plot of a surreal comedy sketch, but in today’s UK, it’s just another day in life. She’s certain like many, that the newcomers are to blame for her dental woes. Forget about sugar, dental hygiene, or the simple passage of time; it’s all part of the immigrant master plan.
But the real stars of this absurd drama are the individuals who’ve taken to the podium, those tireless promoters of immigrant abuse, whose inflammatory speeches would make a Hulk Hogan blush. These orators have mastered the art of turning every societal issue into an immigration problem. Schools underfunded? Blame the immigrants. Hospitals struggling? Immigrants. Is the price of Greggs sausages going up? You guessed it, immigrants.
Never mind that the real causes of these issues might be a bit more complex. It’s far easier to infuriate a crowd by pointing a finger at the nearest foreigner than to address the years of underfunding, mismanagement, and economic missteps that have left the UK in a bit of a jam. After all, nuance has never been a strong suit of the far-right playbook.
Ah, yes, the classic argument is that immigrants are taking all the jobs. It’s been trotted out so many times you’d think it would have worn out its welcome by now. Yet, it keeps turning up, usually at the hands of someone who hasn’t looked at the job market in years. In truth, many immigrants fill roles crucial to the UK’s economy. The roles that often go unfilled by locals. They pick the crops, care for the elderly, work in hospitals, and contribute to the workforce in ways that keep the country running smoothly. But of course, admitting this would require acknowledging that immigration isn’t the threat it’s painted to be.
As the UK’s ethnic diversity grows, reactions have been mixed. Some celebrate the richness of a multicultural society, the new foods, the festivals, and the cultural exchanges that make life a bit more interesting. Others see it as a sign that the Britain they knew and loved is slipping away. The folks who glance suspiciously at their neighbours if they whisper in a language other than English, who gather in pubs to reminisce about the good old days when everyone on the street looked just like them.
This brings us to the question: who will save the UK? After 13 years of Conservative rule, Labour promises to fix everything. They’ve pledged to rebuild the NHS, invest in public services, and clean up the mess left behind. It’s a tall order, but then again, so is convincing a nation that immigrants aren’t the root of all evil. It will take more than a few well-meaning policies to right the ship. But as Labour rolls up its sleeves and gets to work, there’s a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, things will start to improve.
Of course, there’s always the chance that the 12-year-old arsonist or the toothless woman might step up to save the day. Stranger things have happened, after all. But in reality, it will be a concerted effort from all corners of society to steer the UK back on course. It’ll require people to look beyond the fear-mongering, the scapegoating, and the easy answers and start grappling with the complex issues that matter.
So, who will save the UK? Perhaps it’s the sensible majority who quietly go about their lives, contributing to their communities, welcoming their neighbours, and trying to make the world a little bit better in their own small way. Maybe it’s the politicians who, despite the odds, still believe in public service and are willing to fight for a fairer, more just society. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the immigrants themselves, those who’ve come to the UK in search of a better life and who, despite all the noise and the hatred, continue to work hard, pay their taxes, and contribute to the country’s success.
Read my 2021 piece – Let Us All Agree, Racism Is Going Nowhere.
