Racist Riots and Resistance, Daily Brief August 12, 2024

The last two weeks in the UK have seen a whiplash mood swing from horror to hope. 

In response to racist and Islamophobic misinformation shared online, far-right riots sprung up in multiple cities. Racist mobs targeted mosques and asylum seeker accommodation, they attacked Muslims and people of color, and police were injured. 

The scenes were truly appalling: packs of thugs in the streets, spreading violence, smashing windows, and setting fires. At some points, police seemed overwhelmed, it was getting out of control, more riots were threatened.

And then, the mood in the streets flipped 180 degrees. Thousands of people joined peaceful counterprotests across the UK in support of tolerance, unity, and inclusion. The majority had spoken, and the message was straightforward: the violent thugs do not represent us. We reject their hate, and we deplore its consequences. It was great to see.

While the immediate threat needs to continue to be addressed, the government should start thinking about the lessons: what have we learned to help keep hateful violence at bay in the future?

First, politicians’ words matter. For far too long, prominent politicians like former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman and media magnet and now member of Parliament Nigel Farage have been driving dangerous anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric. They are hardly the only ones, of course. 

In recent years, far-right language has flooded mainstream politics. The political scapegoating of vulnerable groups unfortunately “works” to a degree, particularly when people see rising inequality and want someone to blame. Some folks oddly believe unscrupulous politicians who tell them all their problems are the fault of some (usually powerless) people cast as “outsiders.” 

The mainstream media has also been willing, even eager, to demonize certain communities and groups. All this only emboldens extremists, opening the door to violence.

Second, online disinformation is a serious problem. It played a significant role in the riots. Policymakers need to focus on how easily social media platforms can be harnessed to promote hate. 

It wasn’t just unknown individuals spreading lies and rumors on social media, either. The owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, Elon Musk chimed in with misguided and ignorant interventions. 

It all raises serious questions about how these platforms are managed. 

Third, people power matters. It’s true there’s a significant group of individuals who can be fueled by hatred so much they are willing to commit violence. However, they are dramatically outnumbered by those who are rightly appalled by the idea.

For years, this tolerant majority has too often been overshadowed by attention-seeking politicians and media outlets pushing hatred. The pushback we’ve seen from the public in this instance is encouraging. Going forward, we need to see it more often and sooner. And the louder, the better.