The UK Race Riots

 

The UK erupted in racist violence. The European press refers to the incidents as riots, but fail to mention what type. Race riots are cases in which  mass violence is directed at certain race. Homes and business are destroyed by the criminals to decimate a community. Migration and economic downturn have given ammunition to far-right groups. The English Defense League has become prominent in the xenophobic nativist nationalism movement. These are not simply riots rather that have an anti-black, anti-Asian, and Islamophobic aspect. The race riots happened in areas of mostly white and working class areas. Economics can be a explanation. Immigrants are scapegoated for taking jobs. The inability to handle immigration has caused frustration. Foreign policy has resulted in a large number of refugees from war zones. The legacy of colonialism from the British Empire has played a role. Immigrants from India, Pakistan, Ghana, and Jamacia came to the UK when the British Empire dissolved. The UK never became an integrated society. Instead a myth was created of a multicultural society with liberal democratic values . This masked the de facto segregation which persists in the United Kingdom. Being part of the EU brought over more skilled workers from other countries, but did not benefit the majority of the population. Brexit was a way of trying to assert economic independence, yet that just might not be possible in a world of globalization. Nothing was learned from the riots in 2011. Anti-racist demonstrators are making attempts to stop the violence. This is not effective as long as law enforcement is on the side of the political establishment. Law enforcement is also more likely to sympathize with far-right convictions. There are attempts to place the blame on social media and disinformation coming from various platforms. The BBC and other television networks can be just as culpable for spreading disinformation and hate. The race riots have been going on since July 30th and the government appears to be losing control. As economic and geopolitical conditions get worse, the far-right will get more powerful. France or Germany could experience race riots similar to the UK.   

Remembering John Pilger

 

John Pilger ( 1939-2023)  was a journalist, reporter, and documentary filmmaker who challenged the establishment narratives. Pilger came to prominence covering the Vietnam War and the  Cambodian genocide. The Australian journalist came into reporting when media giants did not have such dominance. Based in the UK, John Pilger's career began before NewsCorp had become a monopolizing force in news. John Pilger through his reporting exposed human rights abuses in Bangladesh and Biafran War. He was an advocate for Aboriginal rights . His criticism of the US, UK, and Australia for military intervention was bold considering current sentiments. The War on Terror resulted in civilian deaths, but reporters questioning the wars were condemned. Pilger was not afraid to call the Iraq War and the invasion of Afghanistan as imperial projects. During his final years Pilger was a critic of the West's shift to an anti-Russian and anti-Chinese foreign policy. The mainstream media acts as a public relations firm to the government. John Pilger's frustration with the mainstream media was that it did not confront or challenge official foreign policy positions. The BBC has been accused of bias, but claims to be impartial. John Pilger was based in the UK for most of his life and discovered during his long decades career that one narrative is promoted. The notion that the US, UK, and Australia are promoting freedom and human rights is presented in news. Although it is fiction the message is prevalent in both liberal and conservative media outlets. John Pilger spent his life debunking this false narrative. What he leaves behind is a large body of work and a blueprint for the alternative media. John Pilger's use of documentary filmmaking was effective in persuasive argument. Documentary films are a tool in which those who seek to challenge the establishment must utilize.        

Queen Elizabeth And The Imperial Legacy

 

Queen Elizabeth has passed away. She had been a fixture of the United Kingdom for half a century. While the press in both the US and UK praise the longtime Queen, they  ignore the sordid imperial legacy during the last years of the British Empire. Although a constitutional monarchy, it virtually ruled over Hong Kong, Jamaica, and India. The British Empire was not willing to grant independence to the African and Asian colonies after World War II. Wars had to be fought for the cause of national liberation. Queen Elizabeth put a more tolerable image of empire, when it was not longer acceptable as a political entity. Malaya, Kenya, Cyprus, and Yemen people took up arms to fight the British. The Anglo-Jewish War brought an end to the British mandate in Palestine. White settlers refused to acknowledge that times had changed. The exact amount of causalities from the anti-colonial wars may never be known. While there is no evidence that the Queen was directly involved in abuses, she was complicit in them. The stance against South Africa was only taken by Queen Elizabeth when more African states gained independence in the 1960s. Rhodesia was an issue even before the Universal Declaration of Independence. She headed the Commonwealth which was designed to maintain British influence in the former colonies. It was and continues to be more paternalistic and condescending rather than a partnership of equals. Over the past five decades a  public relations campaign was designed  to make he seem like a humanitarian figure. The attempts to sanitize the history of violence by the British Empire has come under new scrutiny. It was reported 10 years ago thousands of documents related to abuses in the colonies were destroyed. Those documents related to colonial abuses remain in the Foreign Office archive. Queen Elizabeth was more so a symbol for those who believed in the myth of benevolent empire. The history exposes how nostalgia distorts  the public's understanding of events. The British Empire has a different meaning to African and Asian peoples. The negative effects are still resonating in global affairs.       

The Horniman Museum Will Return The Benin Bronzes

 

Nigeria will get back artifacts that were stolen in 1897. The British Empire took the Benin bronzes during the conquest of the Kingdom of Benin. Their display in the Horniman Museum was a painful reminder of the legacy of European colonial imperialism. It was announced that a total of 72 objects with be transferred to Nigeria. Much of the artwork was used to decorate the royal court in Benin. The British knew that they were of significant value. These artifacts date from as far back as the 16th century. Although certain artifacts are being returned, that does not mean Nigeria will not loan to the Horniman Museum. Artifacts must be acquired or displayed by legal  means. More museums in France, Germany, the US, and UK are repatriating artifacts stolen from Africa. African nations do not have an issue lending artifacts, but  European museums claiming  ownership is to legitimize  the abuses of the colonial past. The Horniman Museum can still display African artifacts, but must do it by proper ethical standards. 

How We All Became Richard Nixon By Adam Curtis (2010)

 

There has been a breakdown between the press and public. The lost of trust has become more apparent since the late 20th century. President Richard M. Nixon was notorious for his hatred of the press. He believed it was his enemy and dominated by an eastern establishment with liberal sentiments. The rage became so pronounced it gave way to paranoia. Nixon's paranoia made him think  enemies were everywhere. The public upon learning about the scandal of Watergate, became more paranoid themselves. Institutions that were thought to be keeping society stable were engaging in crime and corruption. Margaret Thatcher as the UK's prime minister like Nixon had  paranoia about enemies trying to destroy the country. The public also simultaneously became more hostile to the skilled professional  class as being agents to a powerful elite. The prevalence of corruption, economic decline, and lack of trust explains the rise of various conspiracy theories. The press also fell to this rise in paranoid thought. Headlines  began to exaggerate the level of danger in everyday life. The reason disdain is no the rise for the press and government relates to decades of institutional failure. Those who do seek to make improvements to institutions face backlash. Roy Jinkins would not be a successful Politian in the 21st century. Too much distrust  exists to fix these problems in media and government. 

Barbados Is Now A Republic

 

Dame Sandra Mason 

Barbados has removed Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state. This makes Barbados the world's newest republic. This is a significant moment considering the island's history. The legacy of enslavement and colonialism  left a horrible mark. The trans-Atlantic slave trade caused much damage across the Caribbean, while enriching the British Empire. Dame Sandra Mason will take over as president of Barbados. Mason served as Governor-General and will be taking over the role that was filled by Queen Elizabeth II. What has been done in Barbados will hopefully encourage other former ex-colonies to remove the British monarchy as serving a head of state role. A new political trend could be emerging. Prime Minister Mia Mottley will remain  in office following the change in government. There remains uncertainty about the relations between the United Kingdom and Barbados. The country will remain in the Commonwealth of Nations . Barbados has been independent since 1966,but now it looks to a new future in the Americas. Reaching out to South American nations should be a foreign policy priority. The island must continue to diversify its economy beyond sugar exports and tourism. A new patriotic enthusiasm is building and leaders should channel that energy to further development objectives. The establishment of  the  republic makes way for multiple opportunities.    

Theresa May Resigns

After failing to get an agreement on terms of EU exit, Theresa May decided to resign. She promised that she would remain until some consensus was reached, but the political conditions proved to be more challenging. Fall out from the referendum has created a UK struggling to confront both economic and social challenges. It is possible there could be another extension to the deadline for complete withdraw from the European Union once more. The UK's attempt to leave the European Union shows that Europe is becoming more divided due to the financial crisis, refugee migration, and the nature of supranationalism. There have been claims that the international markets have reached a state of recovery, but the middle class and poor still struggle. The public has little understanding of the international financial banking system and the neoliberal foundation in which it is based. Brexit is a revolt against neoliberal capitalism, immigration, and globalization. Failure of establishment politicians to recognize the frustration of a public that feels governments are not responsive has made people turn to far right xenophobic nativist  nationalism as an alternative. Theresa May became Prime Minister in a time of confusion and political transformation. A government under such strains involving the question of passports, Ireland, and tariffs was unlikely to survive. Her resignation now has caused more political factionalism as members of government seek the premiership. The Conservative Party could see a rapid decline in public support, if they cannot successfully reach an agreement on leaving the European Union. Some are even calling for another referendum. Even with a new Prime Minister an agreement being reached soon still remains out of reach. Theresa May leaves behind a UK stuck in political factionalism and an uncertain future.      

Prime Minister Theresa May Asks For Another Extension To Leaving The EU

Brexit as it has been called describes the United Kingdom's attempt to leave the European Union. Economic integration and neoliberal capitalism have been brought into question with the European debt crisis. What started as a political  miscalculation by David Cameron in a referendum has escalated into a full blown crisis in British politics. The Conservative Party and Labour Party cannot reach a consensus on terms of withdraw. Simultaneously, the EU may not want to see the UK leave, fearing that if it becomes economically successful, other countries will follow. Questions related to tariffs, immigration, and travel have become more complex in the negotiation process. Theresa May has shown she is more determined to get an agreement, by reaching out to the opposition. The fear is that the UK leaves with no agreement, which has a level of economic risk. The average citizen either way does not see improvement either being part or out of the EU. Prior to this extension, it appeared as if Theresa May was going to resign. Her government could be on the verge of collapse, if the current attempt fails. Constant votes, debate, and arguments about the UK's future show the limitations of  the parliamentary system. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn expressed his desire to meet with Prime Minister Theresa May to reach a solution to an EU exit. Whatever the result, this will have an impact on stocks and global trade.