I’m a female. I’m in my 20s. I also happen to be a Muslim. And British. And Asian. And White. Shit, now what?
It seems we’re facing a quiet revolution and it’s taking place in our back gardens. Much like those pesky weeds that grow inbetween concrete tiling, when you don’t take care of it – it devalues your home…
I grew up in a fairly mixed, cosmopolitan area of London, so much so it was quite normal to walk down the street and see different people from various backgrounds wearing colourful clothing and conversing in different languages. Britain was tolerant…accepting. People still do that today, only it’s met with questionable looks and hushed comments.
Recently, I truly realised the extent to which we’ve regressed as a country. We can choose to cite the rise of Islamism or popular fascist groups such as: EDL, BNP as the reasoning behind the disconnect in society. Alternatively, we can actually acknowledge the true disdain to which people feel so detached by what society is offering (in my view, the former is merely smoke and mirrors there to frighten us and perpetuate hate).
Now, whilst I still believe Britain is probably the most tolerant country in the world (it’s unfortunate to say there are very few places in the world where you are free to be who you are with little or no resistance – this includes the supposed leaders of the free world) this is all set to change this week when the Conservative government will propose scrapping the Human Rights Act (HRA).
This is a bit shit if you’re British. Really shit if you’re not.
Why? Because it means the end of democracy. Essentially, one set of rules for Brits and another for Non- Brits, with the European Court of Human Rights holding limited power over our own Supreme Court decisions.
And that’s another thing – who the fuck signed up to a more American political/legal system? Not on my watch, son. I have no time whatsoever for Britain to be turning into a self-obsessed, gun-loving, hate-preaching, war-mongering nation. From changing the House of Lords to the Supreme Court in October 2009 to talks of a written constitution following the British Bill of Rights (BBoR) (set to replace HRA) and even talks of bringing back capital punishment (because that’s certainly the kind of thing a progressive country would do – cheers Gove), we’re certainly making ways in ensuring inequality resonates. I won’t even go into the healthcare and education system…
No wonder most of us can’t be fucked to educate ourselves about politics – we’re either sidelined into accepting the bs they’re coming up with and gift-wrapping as equality or we find it awfully unsettling knowing our rights are being dissolved, so much so that we choose to numb the pain by concerning ourselves with only our own immediate problems.
What I feel we’re experiencing is a quiet revolution on both sides and here’s why: the Tories want to segregate and box us in order to distinguish a “true” Britain. I can’t say I really want to be part of a Britain where we’re being stripped of our human rights – literally. Whilst they say the BBoR will act as a social cohesion tool evoking true british values and putting it at the centre of our beliefs, I can safely say I’ve never felt less British in my life.
Extremism is rife on both sides. If it’s not the Tories chipping at our human rights, it’s Brits voting in favour of Ukip or going even further to join the ranks of ISIS. Facepalm is an understatement. What the Tories are either choosing to ignore or failing to realise are why apathetic attitudes in society have led to a rise in seeking alternative means to have our voices heard. Nearly 4 million Brits voted for Ukip to run the fucking country – Is this life?
The BBoR is being pushed because hate-preachers and terrorists are taking the piss and using the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to stop us imprisoning them because it’s an “infringement of their human rights”. What a liberty!
Okay, fair enough, I see where Cameron and co. are coming from but where do we draw the line? This, coupled with the new Snoopers’ Charter means our rights to freedom of speech and privacy amongst other things will be quashed. Politicians, with the support of mass media, are using our fear and lack of knowledge against us. Whilst it is misguided, we can only blame ourselves.
Cameron will declare on Wednesday “For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying: as long as you obey the law we will leave you alone. This government will turn the page on this failed approach.”
In summary, we’re fucked. You’ll have to mind what you say and to whom, exacerbating the culture of fear we’re already in. It will prevent integration amongst communities as we become ever more suspicious of one another. Think the Gestapo (probably on a smaller scale though.)
What Can We Do?
We must tackle exactly what is at the root of this apathy rather than segregate ourselves into an Us Vs Them sub-culture. This blatent segregation we are witnessing can be prevented by one thing: educating yourself. And not from a text book/Google/Bing (if you’re edgy like that). Talk to each other, share your experiences and try to understand their views. This culture of fear needs to stop.
You’ll learn alot from it and hopefully become more accepting of people who hold those views. Clearly our foreign policy and attempts at counter terrorism thus far have been little short of abysmal, but in my opinion the answer isn’t to react in just an extreme manner and start eradicating basic human rights. None of the issues will be resolved and if anything we’re just isolating whole communities, all the while stirring the catalyst of hate – when did we become this?
Above all remember, people are just people – at the core, we do actually care about one another (N.B: Charity relief given to Nepal this month alone has helped thousands of lives.) Don’t let the current government strip you of your civil liberties and of everything that makes us proud to be British.
Final Note
And to you Mr. Cameron, I don’t want British pride unless it represents Britain. Britain is public services, Britain is foreign aid, Britain is multiculturalism. Britain is a strong working ethic and an even stronger sense of social responsibility. I don’t want to be British in a Conservative Britain if it means equality is only exclusive to those with a passport.
All-Uneesa-Know 