Like most who read about the horrific attack inJuly, 2024, in Southport, Britain, and the appalling riots that followed, my heart sank as I learned about the innocent lives shattered by such sickening violence.
Within one day of the attack – before any information about the attacker emerged – far-right thugs clashed with police and damaged a mosque as a result of misinformation being spread online. As it turned out, the attacker was a non-Muslim British citizen from Cardiff, but the damage caused by narrow-minded rioters continues to leave many Muslims throughout Britain justifiably cautious and deeply frightened.
But I then came across a moving and personal article by a respected Glasgow-based columnist, Euan McColm, known primarily for his political writing. He talked about how his 14-year-old son’s best friend was told to stay home due to rumours of planned racist protests in the city.
Thankfully, the protests never materialised. However, the mother of the best friend, a Muslim boy, wasn’t willing to take any chances. So frightened was she that she now “prefers not to have any white kids in the house”. McColm’s son understood why this had happened, and when his father asked if he felt excluded when other friends visited, his son gave a heartening response.
He replied, “We don’t go. If we can’t all go somewhere, we go somewhere else.” In defiance of the ignorant hate – designed to separate and divide – the group of young friends chose to stick together, realising the meaning of true friendship that will no doubt last a lifetime.
In the aftermath of the recent horrors on Britain’s streets, the best of people triumphed over knuckle-dragging haters. People of different skin colours, of all faiths and none, came together to clean up and rebuild. This is their home.
The mind-numbing nonsense spread across social media has little traction in the real world. Sadly, a twisted few will enable that hatred and division to occasionally spill over into real life.
However, most people – everyday, hardworking people – are happy to live together peacefully, celebrating and learning from differences, and enjoying the friendship and camaraderie born from sustaining the communities they built together.
The riots were about people who felt they had an excuse to unleash their bigoted hatred on people who caused harm to no one and have every right to live their lives in peace.
Thankfully, these people have been forced to confront the consequences of their actions, and to see that the vast majority of people do not share their vile worldview. And thank goodness their worldview falls at the first hurdle; otherwise, we’d all be in trouble.
Britain – as with Malaysia, and every other multicultural country – is never diminished but always enriched by its diversity. In Glas-gow, the city slogan is, “People Make Glasgow” – a reference to the many different people from all walks of life who call the city home and make it what it is.
How different the city would be – and not in a good way – if it were suddenly bereft of the various characters and cultures that breathe vibrant life into its streets and communities.
I was heartbroken to learn about the racist riots in Britain, and to read about the fears of families up and down the country. But I was heartened by the quick and unequivocal displays of solidarity from the many people who rallied round those most affected and sent a clear message: These are our people, and this country belongs to all of us.
I can’t begin to imagine the fear and the horror that comes from the sickening disease of racism, but I’ve been close enough to people who experience it firsthand to get a sense of how it affects their lives.
In every case, I’ve been awed by their resilience and refusal to be cowed by hateful bullies who masquerade as “patriots”. In this day and age, racism should be an ugly thing of the past that schoolchildren learn about in history books.
We’re a long way from that point, but the response to this nasty event – by young people in particular – should give us enough courage and hope to believe that love will always trump hate, so long as we continue to work together for our shared humanity.
Sunny Side Up columnist Sandy Clarke has long held an interest in emotions, mental health, mindfulness and meditation. He believes the more we understand ourselves and each other, the better societies we can create. If you have any questions or comments, email lifestyle@thestar.com.my. The views expressed here are entirely the writer's own.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
