Challenge racism — defend multiculturalism

Rugayyah Collector,
NUS Black Students Officer

In an increasingly racist climate across society, students have an important role to play in ensuring that racism is actively confronted.

Over recent months, sections of the media and politicians including some government ministers have contributed to a negative climate in which racism is flourishing.

The launch of the new Commission for Integration and Cohesion in August saw the minister responsible, Ruth Kelly, questioning the very value of multiculturalism amid widespread but false claims that Britain is becoming increasingly segregated and that Black communities are responsible for isolating themselves.

In reality, as leading academics such as Professor Danny Dorling of Sheffield University have shown, Britain continues to become more integrated and not more segregated. Restricting people’s right to express their cultural identity, demonising religious expression and denying the valuable contribution that diversity makes to modern Britain today will only further fuel ignorance and intolerance.

Alarmingly, the Muslim community has been a particular focus of those calling for greater cultural assimilation in the misguided view that cultural diversity has somehow contributed to terrorism. In reality the opposite approach is needed. Terrorism threatens all of our communities and defeating terrorism requires the full cooperation of all those who have an interest in preventing further attacks indiscriminately. Measures that target entire communities and sow mistrust can only serve to hinder the cooperation and unity, which is necessary to ensure safety for all.

Against those undermining multiculturalism, we should challenge the notion that our many cultures are incompatible with one another. To address division and isolation we must tackle racism, respect diversity and reject the idea that one culture or religion is superior to another.

The growth in racism has seen record support for the fascist BNP, the driving back of asylum rights and increased racist attacks, including murders.

However, we can build an alternative. In London, racist attacks have fallen by 35% over the last five years and polls consistently show that a significant majority of Londoners value the city’s cultural diversity.

Campuses can offer a positive example of the reality of multiculturalism bringing together students from many different backgrounds. This should be celebrated and defended.