Stanisland Magazine

Turmoil in Britain exacerbated by those in power: A setback that will take years to reconcile.

The UK is not on the edge of a “civil war,” as Elon Musk claims from his ivory tower. These dangerous riots are symptomatic of the inherent bias prevalent in the UK. In response to the identity of the Southport attacker, Nigel Farage, a key instigator of the situation, said: “I don’t believe we’re being told the full truth yet about this person. I want to know.”

His careless comment turned anything the police announced into an automatic conspiracy theory, and that is exactly what happened. When it was revealed that Axel Rudakubana, a British Christian was responsible, nationwide riots began despite this information. Along with Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) who has fled the country to evade contempt of court charges, they have fanned the flames of civil unrest.

The Conservatives primed the disorder

This was part and parcel of baneful rhetoric, and the demonisation of immigrants that far-right figures translated into non-white communities. The Conservative Party were also key in the damaging outcome, following years of Priti Patel, Theresa May, David Cameron and other Tory figures portraying asylum seekers as undesirables. Their statements were veiled, and aimed primarily at the Muslim community.

READ MORE: Ignorance is bliss for the British – why people are angry about the monarchy

While a largely white UK society comfortably exploits its privilege, even in the face of such violence, the BBC describes these brutal pogroms as “targeting” mosques, lacking the fervour it uses when describing other incidents. A short while ago, it reported events unfolding as a “pro-British march,” a statement that legitimises the situation to a level of acceptability among those carrying out the attacks, looting and prejudice actions.

Zarah Sultana was belittled in her time of need

British MP Zarah Sultana endured being degraded on national television by four white pundits who laughed in her face and used feigned ignorance to deflect her claims that the riots were Islamophobic. Her concerns are valid, and underscore the serious brutality that many British Asian and Black Muslims experience throughout the country.

No one from the community has ever been taken seriously. We have had to fight for our existence and validation, apologise for acts not carried out in our names, and walk on eggshells among Britons on a daily basis. Our concerns are justified, but even in the face of such blatant racism exhibited by thousands of riotous individuals, we are still asking for for an atom of air, only to be vilified by sanctimonious public figures whose only goal is to boost their ratings and charm their audiences.

Keir Starmer’s lack of backbone to employ decisions that will quell the violence only communicates to rioters that it’s ok to act like this. Our communities do not feel safe, not before this and certainly not after the brutality ends.

When Boris Johnson made a joke about Burqas and letterboxes, Rowan Atkinson backed his demeaning remarks as free speech. However, there is a big difference between freedom of expression and such debasing statements. I hope he now realises that there are consequences for such rhetoric.