Right, let’s get into it. The EDL riots. As much as it's hurtful, it's essential to talk about these events, not just for awareness, but to understand the bigger picture and how it affects all of us.
So, what’s been going on? The English Defence League (EDL), a far-right group, has been holding demonstrations that have unfortunately turned into riots in several cities. These events have sparked a lot of conversations, both online and offline and it's important to explore why this is happening.
This all began after a 17 year old brutally murdered three young primary school girls at a dance class in Southport. The EDL claims to protest against what they see as the spread of extremism and a threat to British culture after this tragedy and have decided to particularly target the visibly Asian/Indian community but it has now spread to anyone who doesn't look white British. Their approach has escalated tensions rather than perhaps fostering possible constructive dialogue if they even had any (we know they absolutely did not). The recent riots have shown this with clashes between protesters and police causing disruption and concern in our communities.
Let’s be real, riots are not a way to pay tribute to the poor girls. The actions of one individual, no matter how heinous, should not be used to justify violence or hatred towards an entire community. But, as life has it, there will always be people to dismiss this and allow their prejudice to reign supreme. It makes you wonder if they were just waiting for an opportunity to do what was in their heads anyway. The person responsible for these terrible acts was a rotten egg and should not be representative of any group or culture. Instead, we need to honour the memory of the victims and their loved ones through compassion and respect.
It’s also worth remembering how incredibly beneficial culture and diversity have been for the UK. Our nation’s variety of cultures has brought us countless benefits. From delicious international cuisine to exciting innovations and vibrant arts scenes. Diversity enriches our lives, broadens our perspectives and brings life to our communities. That being said, it's important to note that the value of diversity doesn’t mean people need to bring something tangible to be respected and accepted. Every individual regardless of their background deserves to be treated with dignity and kindness. They should feel safe and welcome simply because they are human beings.
What can we do about it? As individuals, we can promote peace and understanding in our own circles. Here are a few ideas:
Stay clued up. It is imperative to fact check. Understanding the root causes of these issues is the first step toward addressing them… I mean, you wouldn't want to spread misinformation, right?
Check in! Talk to friends, family and colleagues about these events. Sharing perspectives can lead to greater understanding. Make sure you’re checking in on those affected. Kind words go a long way.
Simply have a heart. If the people targeted were replaced with pets, I’m sure everyone would look at it a lot differently. Why is that? Well, I think the injustices of life hardens the heart. Just don’t let it happen to you.
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments! Stay safe everyone! 🫶🏾
Related Posts
