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We live in a racist society. Racism saturates everything: our language, landscapes, institutions and political parties
As organisations and individuals, we all play a role in reproducing racism. We’re all capable of playing a role in fighting it
Often we do both simultaneously
As organisations and individuals, we all play a role in reproducing racism. We’re all capable of playing a role in fighting it
Often we do both simultaneously
The Labour Party is a good example. Throughout its history it has sometimes been at the forefront of anti racist organising, and home to leading anti racist activists. At other times, and often the same time, it has enabled or even led efforts to racially divide the working class
Nobody is ever a saintly ‘anti racist’ - holder of a magic badge that deflects all criticism of their actions. Nothing is ever beyond the need for constant self-interrogation & ongoing education into how racism works, beyond the need to listen to those with lived experience of it
Nor can the hard, relentless work of thinking through why racism takes root & metastasises be isolated from other related structural divisions that shape our lives: the way our economic system functions, the intersection of class, gender, sexuality, physical & mental care, & more
What’s so grim about recent antisemitism coverage is how little of that has formed part of the debate. There are many Jews & allies with real concerns about rising antisemitism throughout society, inc. within all parties & across an increasingly hard-right political establishment
In response, too often they merely get on one side noisy, decontextualised ‘gotcha’-style accusations of antisemitism from people who have never previously shown any interest in the experience of Jewish people or the wider anti-racist struggle, and on the other a bunker mentality
This isn’t how we will defeat antisemitism, or the deeper structures of racism it depends on - this is how we will perpetuate it. Hysterically demonising one man is not the answer, and neither is blithely elevating him beyond reproach. We deserve better, we should demand better.
As I’ve written before, I think the Labour leadership have made woeful mistakes in its handling of antisemitism. I also think those mistakes are being rectified, and that there is a genuine desire now to listen and learn. The more of us that participate in that, the better.
Meaningfully addressing antisemitism involves not being afraid to ask ourselves uncomfortable questions. It involves an understanding of how different racisms are interlinked, & building solidarity between the communities targeted. It involves long struggle, not flashy headlines.
Most importantly, fighting antisemitism means locating it in the context of a much wider structure of racial division and violence in our society, one that starts at the very top with an explicitly racist prime minister currently sitting in Number 10.
That’s not deflection, mud-slinging or whataboutery - it’s a fact. Boris Johnson is a racist, his government’s policies and narratives are grounded in racism, and no meaningful attempt to think through & fight against antisemitism in Britain today is complete without it
There’s lots to be done in the vital and never-ending struggle against racism, both within the Labour Party and outside of it, whatever the result on December 12. But right now, for me, removing this poisonous, toxic and racist prime minister is where that struggle starts.
Which is long and rambling way of saying: THIS https://twitter.com/eleanorkpenny/status/1199241993093816321?s=21">https://twitter.com/eleanorkp... https://twitter.com/eleanorkpenny/status/1199241993093816321">https://twitter.com/eleanorkp...
Oh, and read this - from the brilliant @rachshabi https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/26/antisemitism-politics-despair-prejudice-attention-conflict">https://www.theguardian.com/commentis...
