This piece is a keeper. Words have become so flexible in meaning some have lost value at a time when clarity is of utmost importance. And your point about intention is dead on. Thank you for laying out the issues in a simple, easily understood (while hard to misunderstand) way. I pray some of your readers take this to heart and share this with others.
Very good. I think the whole categorising groups on levels of victimhood ‘woke’ (I.e. judging people on the colour of their skin), as much as it held some truth, especially in the US context, like you said, became its own kind of ideology with serious blind spots. This has done the actual anti-racism message a huge amount of harm by stoking annoyance and resentment.
What I also find interesting in myself is that as a conservative, patriotic person I was prone to downplay the existence of racism because it may reflect badly on the genuine good Britain has done (I.e. end the slave trade and force others to with naval power in the 19th century, or more modern day the Tory Party electing 2 consecutive non-white leaders). For strong personal connections I won’t detail I’ve witnessed racism in different forms against those close to me and it’s like I’ve had to re-learn what I used to know (before being political), about the presence of racism. I also now take a more balanced view of history, however there is still a tension there between being defensive over our country and acknowledging it’s role in the development of racism.
Thanks Steve for reading and sharing your honest reflections. The matter of racism is always tricky. I think the problem with a lot of the debate is how antagonistic and personal it can get. When I talk about racism (and it's not often), it's a place of calling Britain to do better rather than attacking it's history. It's always going to be a tense subject. Thus, it requires good faith as a starting point.
Brilliant piece Jide. Completely agree. I also find that people who say "I don't see colour" sometimes harbouring bigoted views. They're the ones who seem so agitated by Megan Markle, but can never explain why or say that "black people don't help themselves when it comes to being stop & search".
I think in a way that the anti racists have become the bullies, only going after the unintended bias as opposed to the full blown hate. People say that there is no smoke without fire but racism has always existed and we are in a strange position where we have lost something to be proud of as a country making us feel even more insecure and defensive. I'm not sure what the solution is maybe it will burn itself out and people will get tired of calling each other out. Religion and Christianity would definitely help but I don't know if that will take hold anytime soon. But the fragmentary nature of society is real and we had better pull ourselves together before we get a totalitarian in charge.
I don't think racism (outright hostility) is the main issue today. I think a lack of belonging and identity are driving a lot of anti-racist thinking. They want to legislate acceptance. This is not something you can force the conscience to do.
Racism will always be a sensitive matter and I believe the minimum we can do is to take a posture of radical attentiveness. Those who do not approach discourse with good faith should not be listened to. We need people with boldness and clarity to step forward otherwise the fragmentation will get worse.
This piece is a keeper. Words have become so flexible in meaning some have lost value at a time when clarity is of utmost importance. And your point about intention is dead on. Thank you for laying out the issues in a simple, easily understood (while hard to misunderstand) way. I pray some of your readers take this to heart and share this with others.
Thanks for reading Ken along with your encouraging comments!
Very good. I think the whole categorising groups on levels of victimhood ‘woke’ (I.e. judging people on the colour of their skin), as much as it held some truth, especially in the US context, like you said, became its own kind of ideology with serious blind spots. This has done the actual anti-racism message a huge amount of harm by stoking annoyance and resentment.
What I also find interesting in myself is that as a conservative, patriotic person I was prone to downplay the existence of racism because it may reflect badly on the genuine good Britain has done (I.e. end the slave trade and force others to with naval power in the 19th century, or more modern day the Tory Party electing 2 consecutive non-white leaders). For strong personal connections I won’t detail I’ve witnessed racism in different forms against those close to me and it’s like I’ve had to re-learn what I used to know (before being political), about the presence of racism. I also now take a more balanced view of history, however there is still a tension there between being defensive over our country and acknowledging it’s role in the development of racism.
Thanks Steve for reading and sharing your honest reflections. The matter of racism is always tricky. I think the problem with a lot of the debate is how antagonistic and personal it can get. When I talk about racism (and it's not often), it's a place of calling Britain to do better rather than attacking it's history. It's always going to be a tense subject. Thus, it requires good faith as a starting point.
Brilliant piece Jide. Completely agree. I also find that people who say "I don't see colour" sometimes harbouring bigoted views. They're the ones who seem so agitated by Megan Markle, but can never explain why or say that "black people don't help themselves when it comes to being stop & search".
Thanks Chido! You have point there, for sure.
I think in a way that the anti racists have become the bullies, only going after the unintended bias as opposed to the full blown hate. People say that there is no smoke without fire but racism has always existed and we are in a strange position where we have lost something to be proud of as a country making us feel even more insecure and defensive. I'm not sure what the solution is maybe it will burn itself out and people will get tired of calling each other out. Religion and Christianity would definitely help but I don't know if that will take hold anytime soon. But the fragmentary nature of society is real and we had better pull ourselves together before we get a totalitarian in charge.
I don't think racism (outright hostility) is the main issue today. I think a lack of belonging and identity are driving a lot of anti-racist thinking. They want to legislate acceptance. This is not something you can force the conscience to do.
Racism will always be a sensitive matter and I believe the minimum we can do is to take a posture of radical attentiveness. Those who do not approach discourse with good faith should not be listened to. We need people with boldness and clarity to step forward otherwise the fragmentation will get worse.