open your eyes to blind patriotism

Approaching Albion’s Shore by David Hugh Lockett

By Dr Razia Shariff, KRAN CEO

We have had a declining 10 days. Starting on a high, with our hugely successful Kent Regional Solidarity Conference, Courage, Solidarity and Action (more on that to come). 

And then some art activism with Banksy's statue Blind Patriotism appearing in central London: a man with his face was obscured by a flag as he marched on. This stimulated commentary from all quarters through the media and social media. 

As we all enjoyed the inevitable damp May Bank Holiday weekend, how many reflected on the symbolic significance of workers and working class rights that marked the day, how it has been used to symbolise civil rights and the rights of the oppressed? 

Then, there was the announcement from a particular political party who said if they get into power, they will set up detention centres for deporting migrants and asylum seekers in areas that vote for an opposing party. 

And the final low for me: not only more avoidable deaths in the Channel (including a teenage girl), but the news that French police are forcibly taking children away from their mothers in order to stop them from crossing the Channel. Is there no hope?

As well as all of this is the “grievance” narrative of humiliation and frustration held by the vocal British populus which is being used as propaganda to externalise and target refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. This is an ever-growing cause of grave concern. 

The blind patriotism currently being displayed in the UK (an attachment to country characterised by unquestioning positive evaluation, staunch allegiance and intolerance of criticism) is becoming mainstreamed by political parties - not just on the centre right. 

What we need is constructive patriotism, still an attachment to country, but characterised by support for questioning and criticism of current group practices that are intended to result in positive change. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/3792008). 

More curious questioning, courageous conversations and defending what is just and right on the streets, in the pubs and through our social networks of influence.

The rise of the right has been suggested as being a counter to the decades of “woke culture” that disenfranchised the white working classes in deprived estates in the UK (https://erickaufmann.substack.com/p/the-woke-emotional-regime). But we cannot be held hostage by the past and be determined by that, looking backwards with resentment and then blaming “the other.”

The current real and severe socio-economic issues in the UK are hitting those on the income breadline and those who are marginalised in society, but refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are not to blame - they are potentially the solution. 

They have already proved they are resilient and hard working, they are young and keen to make a life in the UK. Given the decline in the UK birth rate and our aging population, we need a young, agile, qualified workforce to change the trajectory of economic and welfare stability in the UK. 

If there was an investment in safe and legal routes, rather than in the ever increasing securitization of UK borders the inevitable and preventable deaths, the cruelty and border violence on the french beeches would not even happen. 

A recent report by Humans for Rights Network and Project Play is calling on a public enquiry on border violence (https://www.project-play.org/stop-border-violence). A recent research briefing details the current situation regarding safe and legal routes in the UK: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9630/. 

If history is anything to go by, not only will refugees and asylum seekers continue to seek safety across the world, but smugglers and traffickers will continue to exploit and profit from people who are desperate to reach safety and rebuild their lives. Investing in - and expanding - safe and legal routes, humanitarian visas and other measures is the only way to smash the demand and the gangs and stop the cruelty on the borders. 

We cannot continue watching a people march with blind patriotism into an unimaginable repeat of history. 

We need to stand up for the rights of the oppressed, the marginalised and targeted. We need courage and we need to show solidarity through our networks and connections. We need action, not just mobilising for a counter demo, but to change hearts and minds, influence thought leaders and change the narrative to a more humane and just society.