When the streets turn into playgrounds for those who hate.
Many of them do not need a reason they do not need facts.
They feed off misinformation and act on their delusions.
Spiralling down the negative axis of the Six Stages Framework1
What is happening on UK streets? Who are these people and why are they intent on destruction and thuggery?
Some blame social media whilst others blame politicians.
No doubt the killings of the little girls by the 17 yr old in Southport was wrong.
There is no place for violence.
But the violence we are seeing on the streets is also wrong
Echoes of earlier discussions and government reports to shut down those who complain about racism
This is not the UK, racism does not exist in the UK. It exists in America.
Racism exists in the minds of those who have a victim narrative.
Well take a look now at what’s happening on the streets.
Tell me that racism does not exist and only exists in my mind!
For those who deny racism exists
For those who say it’s just banter
Look around what’s happening on the streets of the UK
Look at the behaviours and actions of those far right protesters
Some say it is done in the names of three innocent little girls whose lives were cut shot and taken too soon.
But no one really believes that.
The reality seems to be it’s done by those who hate others merely because of the colour of their skin; those with other motivations and not interested in the truth
Fact, fiction or misinformation
Many no longer care or understand what’s real
Spurred on by social media and politicians
RADICALISED, Spiralling down the negative axis of the Six Stages Framework
They are driven by group delusions and a sense of entitlement
We have a right because we’re white
We have a right, they’re taking our jobs
Many of the rioters on the streets are the same people who sit in pubs chatting their racist banter.
On football fields making monkey chants when black players fail to perform
It’s just jokes it’s just banter. Nothing to worry about. Move on.
We fail to realise that these behaviours, this way of being is exactly how we fuel extremism
The conditions in which the racism virus 2 thrives
Politicians who take advantage of the fears and susceptibility of those who are looking for a reason to riot
The truth is no reason is needed, a chance to get out on the street a chance to belong to a cause, a chance to wreak havoc and act out what they see on TV.
Fact of fiction none of this matters
It doesn’t matter if their cause is built on false foundations
Rationals of SHIFTING SANDS designed in their minds
Delusions and beliefs that turn the ugly complainant, those who usually engage in pub banter into thugs of destruction.
If they were machines, it would be easy. You correct the programming- the false programming.
But how do you correct the faulty programming in human beings?
When so much is feeding these false narratives
From desperate politicians with their interests and so much to gain
To social media platforms and tycoons
Where many disillusioned with their lives look for a reason to stop others from leading theirs.
For many of these people, it’s just another day out with their friends only they’ve moved from their front rooms, the pubs to the streets. Taking their delusions and false natives carrying their entitlement and intent on destruction. looking for that chance to belong to act out to throw their toys out of the pram
To blame someone else for their problems.
Extremism does not come from nowhere. It didn’t just start a few days ago. The negative rhetoric and negative narratives about asylum seekers, immigrants, black people et cetera all fuel these behaviours and culminate in what we’re witnessing now.
This is what happens when we fail to deal with biases on the bias impact tree 3
But these views and attitudes are not just confined to the streets
Unfortunately these people walk and work amongst us
Sometimes wearing masks of tolerance
How do we eliminate masks of
tolerance 4 and foster real inclusive practice and communities
How do we foster love and empathy and compassion over hate
The only way is by standing in the light.
We certainly saw the power of united communities
Communities rallying together in peace and love
Standing up to racism and saying “No not in our name.”
Racism only thrives in dark spaces when no one is prepared to call it out 5 for what it is. Its seeds begin with those who say we don’t see colour and those who refuse to talk about racism even where it’s clear to see.
It’s time to stand in the light and call out racism and stop it from spreading. It’s time to step out from the shadows and take a stance against racism. When we do this we starve racism of oxygen and stamp it out.
Standing in the light means:
- Choosing love not hate
- Fostering empathy over hate
- Acknowledging and talking about difference.
- Speaking up and correcting false narratives.
- Holding “placards: whilst being circled by racists. Visibly shaking when surrounded by rioters. But not faltering or giving up
- Speaking up in support of those being victimised
On a scale of 1 to 6 with, 1 being in the shadows and in the dark and 6 being in the light, Where are you standing? Where do you choose to stand?
www.sixstagesframework.com
https://x.com/i/status/1820773661315354725
References cited above in article.
1. Summary of Six Stages Framework- see below
2.If Racism was a virus -available for sale
3. The Bias Impact Tree- see resources and blogs
4. Eliminating masks of tolerance – see blog and on HRzone.
Become a change maker in fighting workplace discrimination
5. 10 steps for calling out racism (see resources)
Key concepts underpinning the Six Stages Framework are:
– The Prejudice Racism Spectrum
– Building Bridges of Empathy
– Coming out of Caves of Privilege
Come and learn more about the Prejudice Racism Spectrum.
Check out my free seminars on Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-six-stages-framework-bridges-of-empathy-467339
Check out my book:
The stages are designed to support individuals and organisations to identify where they are in terms of their awareness of understanding and responding to racism. It is important that as a society we appreciate that we all at different stages in our journey towards understanding and dealing with racism and promoting a more equitable society which does not discriminate according to one’s race, colour and/or appearance.
1. SUMMARY OF THE SIX STAGES of Understanding and Dealing with Racism (+ve and -ve axis) are as follows:
Stage – 6: Extremists/leadership
Strong racist views and work to champion them to others and recruit others to join them.
Stage – 5: Entrenched views and behaviours
Exhibit strong racist views and enjoy sharing them with others.
Stage – 4: Anger and blaming of ethnic minorities
Likely to attack and reject the views of those who are different. Extreme ways of thinking and behaving.
Stage – 3: Attacking and rejecting
Resenting time spent on race, display of outrage whilst projecting one’s own racism onto others
Stage – 2: Dismissive and avoidant
Dismissive of issues of race, pretending that racial and social injustice do not exist
Stage – 1: Unaware, silence and denial
Lack of awareness, Ignorance, oblivious, silence and denial
Stage + 1: Unaware, silence and denial
Lack of awareness, Ignorance, oblivious, silence and denial
Stage + 2: Dismissive and avoidant
Dismissive of issues of race, pretending that racial and social injustice do not exist
Stage + 3: Becoming aware of issues of race
Becoming more aware of differences and racism, and questioning. Recognise inequity and racism but do not understand why or what they can do about it.
Stage + 4: Open to learning
Open to learning and having meaningful conversations- challenging one’s perceptions
Stage + 5: Ability to see the bigger picture
Ability to reflect and genuinely engage. Starting to see the bigger picture around race- paradigm shift
Stage + 6: Leadership qualities
Ability to take on a leadership role in promoting racial equity and social justice. Joining with others for the greater good and for the sake of Humanity
