The recent race riots have deeply shaken many black and brown Brits. While those of us in this field were not entirely surprised—given the media, both mainstream and social, and political narratives that have been brewing since around 2014—the events were nonetheless traumatic.
Islamophobia has been pervasive for nearly two decades, often characterised by anti-Muslim rhetoric. Some far-right leaders claimed that Islam and Muslims were the sole issues, but within 48 hours of the riots starting, it became clear that this was a tactic to further divide brown and black communities. My Sikh friend, Rav, who is not in this field but works as an electrician, captured it succinctly: “Sol, it’s the Muslims first, and then they will come after the rest of us!”
Less than a month after the riots, the emotional scars are still fresh. British-born individuals like myself and my children were labeled by the far-right as ‘migrants,’ despite our deep-rooted British identity. The fear of encountering violent, intoxicated thugs while going about our daily lives has been a terrifying reality. I found myself constantly assessing the body language and expressions of men between 18 and 50 to gauge potential threats. This heightened state of alertness was draining, but on a lighter note, it motivated me to return to the gym, lose weight, build muscle, and even take up boxing again.
On a more serious note, the experience was a bitter reminder of the warnings our parents gave us years ago about the possibility of being expelled from the country. Many white Brits dismissed these concerns as implausible, but recent events have led to a more sober realization among some that such fears might not be unfounded. This silence from many who once would have challenged these notions is telling. We’ve seen similar situations before, such as the expulsion of Asians from Uganda in the 1970s.
The psychological impact on us has been profound. Humans have a fundamental need for BISFACTS—Belonging, Inclusion, Self-Actualization, Fairness, Autonomy, Transcendence, and Safety. The riots stripped us of these elements in a matter of days. We now feel more vulnerable, which naturally leads to increased stress, fatigue, and susceptibility to illness as our natural immunity is compromised.
Our sense of belonging and inclusion was severely damaged, leading us to question our identity and our right to be here. This crisis has made many of us consider a ‘Plan B,’ a backup plan to escape to a safer country if necessary. Personally, I plan to invest in a house in Pakistan, taking advantage of the favorable exchange rate and affordable property prices. Many others are contemplating similar measures.
Despite this, support from CEOs, principals, and other C-suite leaders has been noticeably absent compared to the solidarity expressed following the murder of George Floyd. The far-right remains a persistent threat, and the country must unite as it did on that fifth night, when many came together to declare, “This is not who we are,” and “Not in our name.” That moment of unity was heartwarming and provided much-needed solace.
For those of us who have experienced similar crises before, it feels like a recurring challenge. We must continue to raise awareness about racism and combat misinformation on social and mainstream media to foster understanding and unity.
– Solat Chaudhry, National Centre for Diversity CEO and Founder
