August 2024
Psychologists for Social Change exists to speak out against injustice. We stand in solidarity with the communities and individuals who have been impacted by racism and anti-Muslim hatred across the UK and against violent extremism and violent disorder. We acknowledge the impact this will have on individuals and those who serve the public. It is a sobering reminder of the effect of racism and anti-Muslim hatred that still exists in our society and that this continues to affect the lives of people of the global majority daily.
People feel afraid to leave their homes and to attend work due to the fear of being attacked and abused. This is never OK. For the last 14 years, we have heard many, including elected officials blame people seeking asylum and who have emigrated to the UK for the rising social inequality in British society and the under-investment in public services that government policies have created. Britain has been subjected to 14 years of austerity and wide-reaching cuts to vital public services. During this time billionaire wealth has increased rapidly, and the richest 52 families in the UK now have more wealth than the bottom half of the population according to a recent Equality Trust report (2024). At the same time, the household incomes of many British families have plummeted, wages have failed to rise in line with inflation, and the cost of food and energy bills have rapidly increased. These are the result of intentional policy decisions and have not been caused by migration or people seeking asylum. The ‘stop the boats’ slogan suggest there are easy answers and appeals to our need to make sense of things and sense of control. But these issues are complex problems and have no quick or simple solutions.
When our elected representatives, and those seeking to exploit others and cause harm use misinformation, racism and anti-Muslim hatred to deflect from the impact of their decisions it harms all of us. We know from history that rising social inequality and poverty is linked with rising racism and fascism. It is during difficult times like these that we must remind ourselves that the majority of people in Britain are kind, welcoming and compassionate. We have a strong history of challenging fascism and racism and we must continue to unite to drive out harmful ideologies.
We’ve seen beautiful examples of communities coming together to clean up and to care for each other. Leaders of Mosques opening their doors and offering food and opportunities for dialogue with those who attended the protests and riots. We must ensure these acts continue and do not get silenced and sidelined.
Britain has a long history as a multi-cultural country that has been built on immigration. Let's not be defined by the misguided pain and hate of a loud minority, and instead unite to show solidarity.
Unity in Diversity.
Psychologists for Social Change exists to speak out against injustice. We stand in solidarity with the communities and individuals who have been impacted by racism and anti-Muslim hatred across the UK and against violent extremism and violent disorder. We acknowledge the impact this will have on individuals and those who serve the public. It is a sobering reminder of the effect of racism and anti-Muslim hatred that still exists in our society and that this continues to affect the lives of people of the global majority daily.
People feel afraid to leave their homes and to attend work due to the fear of being attacked and abused. This is never OK. For the last 14 years, we have heard many, including elected officials blame people seeking asylum and who have emigrated to the UK for the rising social inequality in British society and the under-investment in public services that government policies have created. Britain has been subjected to 14 years of austerity and wide-reaching cuts to vital public services. During this time billionaire wealth has increased rapidly, and the richest 52 families in the UK now have more wealth than the bottom half of the population according to a recent Equality Trust report (2024). At the same time, the household incomes of many British families have plummeted, wages have failed to rise in line with inflation, and the cost of food and energy bills have rapidly increased. These are the result of intentional policy decisions and have not been caused by migration or people seeking asylum. The ‘stop the boats’ slogan suggest there are easy answers and appeals to our need to make sense of things and sense of control. But these issues are complex problems and have no quick or simple solutions.
When our elected representatives, and those seeking to exploit others and cause harm use misinformation, racism and anti-Muslim hatred to deflect from the impact of their decisions it harms all of us. We know from history that rising social inequality and poverty is linked with rising racism and fascism. It is during difficult times like these that we must remind ourselves that the majority of people in Britain are kind, welcoming and compassionate. We have a strong history of challenging fascism and racism and we must continue to unite to drive out harmful ideologies.
We’ve seen beautiful examples of communities coming together to clean up and to care for each other. Leaders of Mosques opening their doors and offering food and opportunities for dialogue with those who attended the protests and riots. We must ensure these acts continue and do not get silenced and sidelined.
Britain has a long history as a multi-cultural country that has been built on immigration. Let's not be defined by the misguided pain and hate of a loud minority, and instead unite to show solidarity.
Unity in Diversity.
Originally written by PSC Cymru.
