Some like to suggest that you should keep politics out of business, but I say bugger that. And anyway, I don’t see much evidence of neutrality from the tech bros, Jim Ratcliffe, James Dyson or Michelle bloody Mone. So brace yersels, this wee wumman’s colours are about to get nailed firmly to the mast. But for the avoidance of doubt, flag shagger I ain’t.
You see, when it comes to balaclava boys and the rise of racism or general right wing bad behaviour, there are a number of reasons I want to kick up a fuss. So you might want to brace yourselves – if you are looking for balance and clear-eyed objectivity, it ain’t happening here. And for that I make NO apologies.
You see, I’ve seen this shit before. I’ve been threatened, abused and pushed around (none too gently) by boot boys. That rough stuff happened when I was a teenage skinhead in the late 70s/early 80s, a time when the British National Party and the National Front were really ramping up their vile racist vitriol across the nation – and no, Scotland was NOT exempt. Both parties got quite a bit of media coverage and they were a well organised UK-wide movement, with large groups of foot soldiers who were both visible and vocal. Their stomach churning verbals and shows of strength frequently spilled over into aggression, and believe me, when those guys were on the rampage, it was well scary. They gave not one shit who they hurt, or how badly.
Unsurprisingly (and unforgivably) black and brown people got it far, far worse than their white compatriots, but those lairy lads (and a few lassies) didn’t hesitate to put the boot in to those of us who were diametrically opposed to their bully boy beliefs. A few of us, those who presented the same visual identity (shaved head, Sta-prest trews, Fred Perry polos and Doc Marten boots) but who were firmly ensconced in the Anti Nazi League and Rock Against Racism camps, got it particularly tight. When gangs of bad lads turned up, it never ended well.
The NF and BNP’s hateful dogma spread far and wide, with the result that many people of ethnic origin were on the receiving end of abuse and violence, sometimes of the extreme variety. People DIED. It was a terrible, shameful time in our history.
So you’ll forgive me if I am really, really angry that this shit has all resurfaced, 45 odd years on. But not only am I angry, I’m AFRAID. Afraid for both new Scots and long term residents who are people of colour, afraid for their safety. Afraid that an entire hotel of migrants will be torched to the ground while the residents are still inside. Or a lifeboat slashed and sunk with all lives lost. And if any of you think it won’t come to that, FFS, WAKE UP.
But the real reason I’m so afraid is that I see very little concerted fight back against this burgeoning brutal behaviour. Where is the joined-up national movement to face down the balaclava boys and their paymasters? BTW, I don’t mean YOU, dear reader, I have already stood shoulder to shoulder on the streets with many of you who are prepared to show strength in numbers, and I applaud your commitment. No, what I want to know is where are the rock solid governmental directives? Where are the shared condemnatory statements from the public, private and voluntary sectors? Where is the largely absent collective bravery to call this dreadful stuff out for what it is? Where the bloody hell is the full force of the law?
We have simply GOT to stop this stuff before it gets completely out of control. So courage mon braves, let’s make it clear to our leaders that we’re not prepared to stand by and wait until lives are lost.
Courage mon braves
Some like to suggest that you should keep politics out of business, but I say bugger that. And anyway, I don’t see much evidence of neutrality from the tech bros, Jim Ratcliffe, James Dyson or Michelle bloody Mone. So brace yersels, this wee wumman’s colours are about to get nailed firmly to the mast. But for the avoidance of doubt, flag shagger I ain’t.
You see, when it comes to balaclava boys and the rise of racism or general right wing bad behaviour, there are a number of reasons I want to kick up a fuss. So you might want to brace yourselves – if you are looking for balance and clear-eyed objectivity, it ain’t happening here. And for that I make NO apologies.
You see, I’ve seen this shit before. I’ve been threatened, abused and pushed around (none too gently) by boot boys. That rough stuff happened when I was a teenage skinhead in the late 70s/early 80s, a time when the British National Party and the National Front were really ramping up their vile racist vitriol across the nation – and no, Scotland was NOT exempt. Both parties got quite a bit of media coverage and they were a well organised UK-wide movement, with large groups of foot soldiers who were both visible and vocal. Their stomach churning verbals and shows of strength frequently spilled over into aggression, and believe me, when those guys were on the rampage, it was well scary. They gave not one shit who they hurt, or how badly.
Unsurprisingly (and unforgivably) black and brown people got it far, far worse than their white compatriots, but those lairy lads (and a few lassies) didn’t hesitate to put the boot in to those of us who were diametrically opposed to their bully boy beliefs. A few of us, those who presented the same visual identity (shaved head, Sta-prest trews, Fred Perry polos and Doc Marten boots) but who were firmly ensconced in the Anti Nazi League and Rock Against Racism camps, got it particularly tight. When gangs of bad lads turned up, it never ended well.
The NF and BNP’s hateful dogma spread far and wide, with the result that many people of ethnic origin were on the receiving end of abuse and violence, sometimes of the extreme variety. People DIED. It was a terrible, shameful time in our history.
So you’ll forgive me if I am really, really angry that this shit has all resurfaced, 45 odd years on. But not only am I angry, I’m AFRAID. Afraid for both new Scots and long term residents who are people of colour, afraid for their safety. Afraid that an entire hotel of migrants will be torched to the ground while the residents are still inside. Or a lifeboat slashed and sunk with all lives lost. And if any of you think it won’t come to that, FFS, WAKE UP.
But the real reason I’m so afraid is that I see very little concerted fight back against this burgeoning brutal behaviour. Where is the joined-up national movement to face down the balaclava boys and their paymasters? BTW, I don’t mean YOU, dear reader, I have already stood shoulder to shoulder on the streets with many of you who are prepared to show strength in numbers, and I applaud your commitment. No, what I want to know is where are the rock solid governmental directives? Where are the shared condemnatory statements from the public, private and voluntary sectors? Where is the largely absent collective bravery to call this dreadful stuff out for what it is? Where the bloody hell is the full force of the law?
We have simply GOT to stop this stuff before it gets completely out of control. So courage mon braves, let’s make it clear to our leaders that we’re not prepared to stand by and wait until lives are lost.