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| Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman (Image: iNews) |
I am often baffled when people in Britain are critical of multiculturalism and then use racist rhetoric when describing or coming across unfamiliar cultures. There is a sense of unblissful ignorance when it comes to learning something new about others. It doesn't help that individuals in power fuel this narrative just so that they can get the backing from those who go out of their way to judge others for no reason than being close-minded when defining what 'British culture' is.
The individual in power mentioned above is Suella Braverman, the UK government's Home Secretary. She delivered a speech in Washington DC coming up with wild claims that not only multiculturalism has 'failed' but also that LGBT+ refugees shouldn't be allowed to come to Britain on the basis of their sexuality or change of gender identity. These were to argue that, therefore, the UK should prepare for life away from the reliance of ECHR - European Convention on Human Rights - which is designed to protect people in desperate need of help, regardless of where you are in the world.
Thankfully, some Conservative MPs have reacted to her speech with some horror, though many of her colleagues are depressingly encouraged by the party's direction. There is even speculation that a certain Nigel Farage could return as a member for the first time since 1992. With Braverman having a net rating of +21.6% (Conservative Home, September 2023) it certainly won't be the last time you'll hear her type of comments between now and the next general election.
There is much to disagree with Braverman's remarks. They were offensive, particularly towards LGBT+ refugees, who leave their home countries because where they're from, their sexual preference and gender identity are illegal and punishable by death in some cases. Unless they say they are gay and come with their opposite sex spouse and five children, then I'd say the vast majority of asylum applications on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation are genuine. Yet, more than offensive, Braverman's comments are also completely misguided, flippant and wrong. They're also bewildering; her personal background, and that of her husband's, embody multiculturalism at its best.
If I was to use Braverman's narrowminded mindset, I think she interprets some streets having more businesses owned by people who aren't reportedly born and raised in the UK than well-known chain stores which are closing down left, right and centre. She, I assume, probably looked at a street with internet cafes owned by people from Poland, convenience stores run by people from south east Asia, and Italian, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, French, Sri Lankan, Turkish and Iranian restaurants on our high streets. In other words, hardworking people keeping the British economy going.
And if I was also to take Braverman's narrowminded mindset even further, I feel as though she assumes crimes are mostly committed by those who aren't white. Or that people apparently move here to live on benefits. Or that they become territorial and hostile towards fellow Brits and other cultures. Or they're clogging up NHS queues. You see I'm clutching at straws here. I appreciate I shouldn't be wasting my time analysing where I think she is coming from. However, sadly, these cynical comments are heard across the country, and Braverman is encouraging them without any basis, justification nor truth. In fact, they go completely against what Britain has always been and it's hindering the country's potential.
Multiculturalism has existed on this planet from day one. You look at the DNA of someone who believes they're English through-and-through - you'll see that they're very likely to have rather significant amount of French or Scandinavian in them. They may be surprised to have a hint of even African or Middle East. 'Hurricanes' of migration - Braverman's words, certainly not mine - have been part of British history forever, whether it's the Romans or Vikings from thousands of years ago, or the Windrush generation and Jewish communities gracing the UK immediately after the Second World War, Britain has always welcomed people from around the world, which has shaped the amazing country it is today.
The 'problem', if you want to call it that, is that the 'wave' today has people coming from countries who have been unjustly demonised by hostile political commentators and news outlets who ought to know better. At the age of Brexit, where Britain needs foreign friends more than ever, the UK government cannot afford to make enemies simply because they rather be influenced by misconceptions and baseless narratives. Immigrants aren't a reflection of the dictatorships they're risking their lives to run away from. As I'll keep on saying, nobody wants to leave their abode for good unless either they were offered a golden opportunity away that they could not say no to, or that it's literally a matter of life and death - and why should we deny either scenario from being listened to and achieved?
The annoying thing about Braverman is that as Home Secretary, if she had a problem with multiculturalism, she'd do something proactive and positive about addressing any perceived challenges, as opposed to doing everything in her power to create division. The 'stop the boats' campaign hasn't deterred more than 20,000 boats with unaccounted migrants entering British shores in the first eight months of this year. The policy to deport these people to Rwanda is equally pointless considering its toxic and complicated politics and that if it was their desired destination, they could have headed that direction to begin with. I don't understand how the Home Office never made a bigger effort to convince Canada or some of the more affluent parts of South America instead - somewhere they aren't able to access by foot from the countries they've run away from. Nobody is arguably more welcoming to refugees and the LGBT+ community than Canada's Justin Trudeau, and the country is considered one of the world's safest - UK is 34th, USA is 129th.
Nothing should stop Braverman from introducing initiatives to integrate communities and encourage new arrivals to join groups where they feel included and not inclined to live in their own bubbles. If you promote immigration as a good thing, that will echo to corners of societies who have trepidations. Like anywhere else, government's words matter, they are powerful and are reflected up-and-down the country. Braverman is a product of immigration and multiculturalism. Unless she wants to ignore it, I suggest she opened her eyes, took a dose of reality and embrace those who actually want to come to this country. Openly appearing intolerant won't win friends.
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