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I’m not an anxious person, I try to stay calm even when things around me can feel a little fraught. But on Monday watching the news of the riots, I did feel anxious and for the first time, sent a message to two of my children who live and work in London – I just said `be careful today as you go out and about.’ And then as the day went on, some of my family who live in west Yorkshire, exchanged messages to say that there was a possibility of riots nearby. Again, the message was `just be careful everyone’. Against the backdrop of the violence in so many of Britain’s towns and cities, sometime you can find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time and in a split second, your life can change forever.
I know there are thousands of people around the country who are a little scared just now. We’ve all seen the videos, of fighting, looting and a general anarchy in some places, gangs shouting that they want their country back. Whatever that means, people want to show their story is the truth, their grievance is real. And while much has been made about how disinformation spreads on social media, I think most people simply believe what they want to believe.
Multiculturalism is neither the haven nor the hell that opposing sides make it to be – it has its stresses and strains, and these have been further compounded in recent years by issues of immigration. But the rage and resentment which has spilled out on our streets against the police and whole communities, tries to destroy everything which we cherish about our societies. Those on all sides who are holding onto their anger may feel that violence brings them a strange comfort, but in reality, rage removes all of life’s healing possibilities - I always think about the prophetic words that anger destroys faith and that real strength lies in restraint, forgiveness and the courage to reach across the divide.
And I wonder for those of us for whom Britain has always been our home, was it an audacity on our part to call ourselves British when we’re not white? A country that has given us a sense of place and security, opportunities, love and friendships, the country which is the only home we know, the only home our children know. Home doesn’t have to be perfect, but at the very least, it should be a place where you don’t feel scared.