These riots are an ever-present reminder that racism is alive and well in our country and ‘has become a zombie stalking us’ (Miller, 2021). The abuse and mistreatment of Asian and Black people over the past few days by miscreants is fulfilment of years of political, journalistic and social commentary and rhetoric that scapegoat migrants and Asian and Black people. Racism and islamophobia have no place in our society.
The scapegoating, prejudice and destruction across our country is deeply disturbing since Britain’s workforce, especially in education and health, is propped up by migrants – many of whom are from Asian and Black heritages.
Racism in the UK is real (Miller 2021), and overcoming its mutation and reproduction demands action from every citizen irrespective of age, ethnicity, gender, class or cultural background.
We therefore call upon the political class to publicly condemn these ongoing racist riots at both constituency level and in parliament. Such a dual pronged approach will clarify their stance on racism in the UK, to the nation, and to the people who elected them to serve.
We also call upon all anti-racist people in the UK to use your power, privilege and position to be an ally with Asian and Black people, to call out racism, to resist racism and to empower other anti-racists also involved in the struggle against racist tyranny.
Furthermore, we call upon anti-racists in the UK to use every opportunity available to build bridges and not walls, to promote community and to promote social cohesion and not derision and division.
Our thoughts and good wishes are with the families and loved ones of the three children in Southport who are grieving at this time, and all those who have lost relatives and loved ones due to the ensuing violence.
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