Why The Growth of Racism Has Little to do With Racists

The rise of the far right, the rise of fundamentalism and terrorists networks, and the continued support for Israel, even when they too commit atrocities, have one thing in common: they are dictated almost exclusively by one version of 'truth', by unaccountable privilege and by a basic lack of human respect which form a natural breeding ground for bullies, racists, extremists and disdain for the natural rule of law. They are also a direct product of the fragile and debilitating Israeli-Palestine conflict where each side acts in a mindlessly violent way while claiming to wear the mantle of 'truth'.

However, what is the real truth in this case involving two opposing sides where it is clear that one is more powerful than the other and has used its might to ruthlessly enforce that power? There is little doubt that, had the Palestinians being similarly armed with both the right weapons and allies, this conflict would have been resolved a long time ago.

Truth in any major situation, where the stakes are high, is thus an elusive concept, governed totally by four key elements: power, privilege, money and colour. As three of those elements are changing constants, today's truth would have been yesterday's 'lies'. Nelson Mandela, Martin McGuinness, Robert Mugabe, Fidel Castro – now all respectable, politicians, though 'terrorists' of old are living testaments to that.


Loss of Moral Fibre
At the moment, the 'truth' according to Israel is the one in force and that 'truth' is being accepted, condoned and promoted by powerful allies in a world which is rapidly losing its moral fibre, its sense of values and sense of direction; a world where the rule of law, the legitimacy of it and the application of the law is being constantly flouted and ignored by those whom 'truth' favours, or who are powerful enough to disregard it. In fact, there is a kind of international lawlessness developing which is masking an enormous amount of racism and bias under the guise of 'justice', to the extent that the only real terrorists now appear to be the Al Qaeda network. No other terrorists, particularly if they are White, seem to matter at all.

The rise of the far right, and fundamentalists, is indicative of the power of the privileged to use their media and economic resources to ensure only their 'truth' is acknowledged and accepted. Such prevailing 'truths' are also strong indicators of growing personal anxieties, our changing values regarding each other and the ensuing racism in the world order caused by increasing public selfishness, apathy and a widening economic gulf between the rich and poor.

Thus racism is not limited to racists, nor is it controlled by them. Racism thrives because the political and privileged elite dictates the pace through their unassailable 'truths' while the majority do nothing, their silence and inaction fuelling the covert bias, continuing oppression and gross injustice to powerless minorities. A growing White minority across Europe feels powerless, disenfranchised and anxious about their lives and prospects, seeing scapegoats in racism and xenophobia as the answer, while a complacent majority looks on disinterestedly until they are forced to take notice to preserve both themselves and their freedom. The world also looks on uncaringly too while many atrocities are committed by both Israel and Palestine, unable to see that this conflict will engulf us all on cultural and racial, lines if it continues unabated. Additionally, Israel, of all countries, should have realised by now that one cannot destroy a people into submission. History has shown repeatedly that they will only rise again, more powerful than before.

Irrefutable 'Truths'
The only irrefutable truth is that people in Palestine and Israel are dying needlessly and a resolution is now imperative. The state of this ravaging conflict has continued so long and is now so dangerous to Middle East stability and world peace, the blame has to stop on either side for the conflict to be resolved. The historical counter accusations and carnage are well documented for all to see. What is needed now is for Israel and Palestine to cast aside continued vengeance for their dead and concentrate on the living; to nurture the environment in which as many of their people can reach adult fulfilment to ensure both country's existence. It means mutual respect accorded, not just from the powerless to the powerful, as well as an acknowledgment by the privileged White countries that power carries even more responsibilities than it does rights.

Power comes not from mere arms but from knowing how to use one's influence, position and armoury in a spirit of compassion. The truth of the powerful, White, rich and privileged nations says that the world is threatened by 'Black' countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Palestine and Iran which should be bombed out of existence, especially when the lives of their population are worthless in the face of such 'truths' which seek justification for racist acts. At the same time people from culturally diverse countries appear to have few rights. The Afghanis being held in Cuba, the thousands of Iraqi people killed without a murmur, their lives being more expendable than American ones, and Palestinian towns razed to the ground, in response to the equally obnoxious suicide bombings - regardless of the human and economic costs. These are just a few of the most obvious and disturbing examples.

Igniting the Sleeping Majority
It takes only one conflict too many to rapidly diminish a nation's resources, so talk of igniting a war against other countries like Iran might well ignite the sleeping majority into action. If the Philippines and Cory Aquino taught the world any lesson it is that, where politicians are perceived to be inactive, ineffective, biased or unjust, the people usually take the initiative in some way to correct that imbalance.

The rise of the extreme right is thus a wake-up call to every person within the decent law-abiding majority of whatever race, colour, creed or culture across the world. We can all rise with purpose, take note and act individually or collectively against the mushrooming tentacles of inequality and racism. Or we can ignore the alarm and go back to sleep, oblivious to the ominous consequences while remaining cosy in our comfortable bed in a dreamworld of false security.

The choice is entirely ours.

The Real Value of Barack Obama's Presidential Bid

The first time I heard of this man he was touring Kenya, his ancestral village, and everyone there was gushing about him, treating him like a king returning home. This was late 2006. I had never heard of Barack Obama before, didn't realise he was an American senator, also didn't realise how few African-American senators there were, but was not at all surprised at the hero-worship back there.

Black people do not have too many wholesome heroes to inspire them. Many of the latter day heroes tend to come from the music field and what a dreadful example of drugs, drinks and rock and roll many of them are setting; not to mention the distasteful words in rap music which show little respect to women, and others, for that matter. Even when there is clear genius among us, we have a way of robbing it of its effect (Michael Jackson comes to mind?). I adore that man's music yet feel so disheartened at the way he has changed himself in such a sad way, detracting from the very talent we are trying to appreciate.

Starved of Black role models, many people despair of ever being reflected significantly while clinging to people like Oprah Winfrey and Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Halle Berry for some reflected glory. Minorities everywhere live vicariously through role models because of the absence of homegrown heroes, and Blacks in the UK are no different. In fact, when Colin Powell first became a general, one letter writer to the Voice newspaper noted drily that, "Had General Powell been in Britain he would have been Corporal Powell!"



No Inspiration for Black Teenagers
I have never forgotten that because it struck a chord of relevance and recognition which, 20 years down the line, is still resonating loudly with the invisibility of minorities in public positions of power and responsibility. There just aren't any to inspire the teenagers coming up; to reinforce their presence and value. Many of those in place are 'yes' people, beholden to the political party which put them there, securing their positions while being afraid to rock the boat, without backbones to be individual and to make that real difference, as they are gradually swallowed up by both the Establishment and the 'system' and lose their voice.

You can tell a lot about the government of a country in how they seek to unite the people and be representative of them. If the people associating with Britain's government and monarchy are anything to go by, the is an all-White country! You will not see a Black person of substance or expertise around the them in Britain, unless it is a bodyguard! Yet the Queen is the head of a multicultural Commonwealth and loves to boast about that when she visits them. Obviously charity does not reach as far as our home! This is very disappointing to me because, with Britain's history, and the way it trumpets regularly about justice and fairness, one would have thought it would have led the field in recognising diversity and its own multicultural population in more visible and tangible ways. As a staunch Briton, who love this country, I find that so sad.

That's why America has always had a special place for Black people everywhere because, through the relentless advance of our African-American brothers and sisters in all walks of public life, we too can live vicariously and pretend we have similar opportunities. Our successful African-American brothers and sisters allow us to dream, to imagine, to luxuriate in what is possible. We feel as though we share that success because it looks so easy, and we have so little. However, we have always acknowledged that the supreme position of president was always closed to everyone except White males. Not any more, it isn't. Thanks to one man who dared to dream, we can share that too in believing the sky is truly our limit.


Tremendous Self-Belief
The real value of Barack Obama lies not just in the possibility of him creating history on an unimagined scale. It actually lies in what he represents to Black people everywhere; the fulfilment of the impossible. As Nelson Mandela once echoed in a speech, by his fearless action and tremendous self-belief, Barack gives permission to all of us to dream too in a way which wouldn't be understood by a White person in any number of years, because they take success and status for granted. White role models are limitless, proliferating every minute of every day to become commonplace and taken for granted. When a White person says he'll be a millionaire by the time he is 30, that is almost a fact beyond dispute. There are too many millionaires around to suggest otherwise. When a Black person says it, we wonder from what basis. How are they going to do it with the lack of role models to inspire them and the lack of precedence to motivate them? A superhuman task. It then becomes an uphill struggle as they contend with self-doubt, the scepticism of their peers and the discriminatory practices around them.

However, regardless of whether he gets into the White House or not, the presence of Barack Obama in the American presidential race has already turned a new chapter for every African-American male by showing them their own worth and power. Barack has taken the baton from Colin Powell and is proving to them that the humblest person, without wealth or whiteness, can attain the highest office. And it must begin to do something positive to their thinking and aspirations. I do hope so.

The heartfelt words from this donor, a Navy veteran, which accompanied the $5 he sent to Barrack, says it all. It was his first ever donation and his daughter inspired him to send the money: He said, "Being an African American male, to have that positive role model in Senator Obama, it's given me so much hope. To be able to look at my daughter one day and tell her, 'You can be anything you want in the world' ... In the past I might have said, 'You could be anything you want to be. But president? No' ... But now, he's given me that light. Now, I can tell her, 'You really can be anything you want in the world.'"

Amen to that, sir – and Thank You!