Racists reign supreme, oh happy days

Is that an inflammatory title? As inflammatory as this picture above?

Forgive the derisory tone, I’ve had a shock in the form of the UK’s pending exit from the EU.

I cannot stress just how disappointed I am with this result not that I actually believe an exit is to follow as we’re allowed a 2 year negotiating period before the axe should fall. No I’m livid with the validation that 52% of this country has given to rampant racists and the far right.

Doreen Lawrence earlier urged voters last week to not give into hate and fear in an increasingly toxic climate of racism and the rise of the far right. This impassioned plea came in the aftermath of the brutal murder of Labour MP Jo Cox well known for her pro-immigration stance as well as her refusal to pander to Islamophobia. Her shocking murder came at the hands of a fascist thug (associated with Britain First) who declared his name to be ‘death to traitors, freedom for Britain’ in court.

This horrific attack must not be divorced from the increasingly hostile terrain the population is being acclimatised to. Where dog whistle tactics deployed by right wing politicians and their media cheerleaders point the finger at immigrants, Muslims and refugees for the decline in people’s living standards and threats to their security rather than the real culprit that is Tory austerity rolling back people’s living standards.

Immigrants are being blamed for the added strain on public services such as the NHS, the absence of jobs and clogging of traffic if you’re to believe Nigel Farage. There’s also the well trotted myth that immigrants are only here to mop up benefits when the Treasury and bodies such as the Office of National Statistics routinely rebuff this with the assertion that immigrants contribute billions to the economy. Any strains people suffer due to shortage in housing, problems accessing health care and jobs are not because of immigrants. Thanks should be awarded to the Tories. There are many immigrants now who feel rejected and alone because of the problems caused by the Tories. It was really upsetting to see low paid immigrant workers cry on the TV in the wake of the vote now very worried over their future. And it makes me so angry that we would treat vulnerable people this way.

Refugees have also been pummeled by the racist backlash with some going as far as painting them as potential rapists. These are desperate people fleeing war and climate change becoming the biggest humanitarian crisis since WW2. All memory of the outpouring grief over pictures of Aylan’s lifeless body last year have been washed away in amidst a toxic clampdown in preventing Syrian and North African refugees from reaching the UK. Thousands have died trying to cross the Mediterranean sea yet this country’s media presents them as leeching cockroaches mirrored in David Cameron’s helpful “swarms” comment. These people are here because we keep interfering in their countries.

A country steeped in history of invading other countries, using jingoistic nationalism as proof of their superiority can now still use these tactics of racism to great effect is no surprise really. Yet some argue the vote to leave is only a consequence of disenfranchisement from the ruling class. Yes this is partly true. But a large part of the pro Brexit crew was also motivated by the anti immigrant bashing led by vote leave. Prettifying this motivation ignores the very real threat posed by racism rendering us ill equipped to deal with it.

I don’t for one second believe that being in the EU is a haven for the UK population. It propagates a neoliberal economic agenda as evidenced in the roll out of austerity which has unleashed widespread resentment of the status quo. But, it’s our best defence for climate change, it enables free movement of labour (this is a very good thing!) and social protections are guaranteed — however minimal.

Now that we have voted for Brexit which has validated racists such as UKIP and the far right, we must stand up and challenge the barrage of racist attacks against marginalised communities. It is imperative for those on the left to look to the alternatives Jeremy Corbyn offers through investment in public services and education not cuts. He is now invoking Article 50 of the EU treaty citing a second vote on exact terms of leaving which will expose the lies and the hypocrisy of the vote leave camp. We must get behind campaigning for a second referendum and support Jeremy Corbyn’s alternative to the nasty Tory cuts agenda.