During this election, the topic of racism and discrimination has been widespread, with accusation been thrown at both the Leader of the Conservatives and the Labour Party. Although, the topic has been discussed constantly, very little is actually being done by the establishment to actually tackle the issues being discussed. It is very much the blame game at the moment, with little constructive discussions taking place.
One man has been constantly attacked by the media, politician and the public for either being Anti-Semitic or his role in tackling the problem. Jeremy Corbyn has faced the full force of attacks by the establishment. Every interview he does, the topic of Anti-Semitism is brought up, even when the event is about something completely different. On the other hand, the media do very little to hold an actual racist to account. Boris Johnson is playing politics on easy mode. A comparison of the two will show that Johnson has been given an easy ride for this comments and track record. On top of that, the media never talk about the racism and discrimination in other parties and also the discussion very rarely looks at the problem society has with racism and discrimination.
Jeremey Corbyn is the first leader of a major party, in over 40 years, to actually attack the lives of the establishment. His proposals look to create a fair society, where those from low socio-economic backgrounds have an opportunity to improve their lives. We have been living in a society where the rich get richer, and the poor ger poorer. Those at the top will have to sacrifice a tiny bit to achieve an equal society. For that reason, he has been treated unfairly during his time as the Leader of the Labour Party. The medias, owned by the billionaires and the journalist, who go to parties with people in the Tory party, will try everything possible to keep Jeremy as far away from Number 10. Their attack on him has gone as far as calling him an Anti-Semite. These people don’t actually care about tackling Anti-Semitism, or any kind of racism and discrimination.
If the establishment actually cared about tackling Anti-Semitism, they would have looked at the Labour Party long before Jeremy became leader. None of the previous leaders were ever attacked for their lack of actions in tackling Anti-Semitism. Was Tony Blair ever called to do more? The establishment only cared about Anti-Semitism when the Labour Party became the Anti-Establishment Party. Jeremy has taken the fall for the inactivity of previous leaders. These previous leaders have no shame in attacking Jeremy on the issue, when they did absolutely nothing.
I am not trying to say the Labour party does not have a problem with Anti-Semitism. It does. One case of Anti-Semitism is a problem. That is why more needs to be done. I think Jeremy and the party should’ve done more. The only reason why I think he has failed to deal with it is because I hold him at a much higher status than other politicians. Look at this history. He has constantly tackled racism and constantly stood alongside the struggles of minorities. If any other politicians did what Jeremy did, to tackle Anti-Semitism, I would say at least they’re trying. With Jeremy I know he can do more. That is why after this election I want him to take the lead in tackling Anti-Semitism and actually try to get rid of this disease within the party. Something no one in the media or other parties would try to do.
Another reason why the establishment do not care about Anti-Semitism is that they never look at the problem in other parties and in society. A poll carried out by YouGov showed 40% of Tory supporters endorsed at least one Anti-Semitic statement. 32% of Labour supporters and 30% of Lib Dem supporters. We have also seen candidates from the Tories and Lib Dems, just in this election being suspended for Anti-Semitism. During the 2017 election, the Lib Dems ran a campaign against Alex Sobel, a Jew, where they called him ‘shifty Sobel’. A clear Anti-Semitic attack. For the establishment to act like Labour is the only party which has a problem with Anti-Semitism is an absolute fantasy. Nothing is being done to hold other parties accountable for the problems they have on the issue. All we’re seeing in finger pointing, but nothing is being done to actually tackle the issue.
The discussion has not just been about Anti-Semitism. Islamophobia, Anti-black racism, homophobia and misogyny has also been discussed, but very rarely.
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minster, has been fuelling hatred by what he has been saying, not just now, but for years. His language has hardly been challenged by the media. Johnson has called Muslim women, ‘letter boxes’ and ‘bank robbers’. He has called black children ‘picaninnies’. He once called gay men ‘tank-topped bum boys’. When talking about women, he said 'Just pat her on the bottom and send her on her way'. These a just a few of the things he has said. The list goes on and on. A man full of hatred and a disgusting mindset. Even after all this, the establishment fail to hold him accountable what he has said. They will mention it, and quickly move on.
Within the Tory party, we have seen a massive failure to tackle discrimination. Islamophobia is riffed within the party, but they fail to investigate it or take any actions. This party were responsible for the Windrush scandal, where people who arrived from the Caribbean during the mid-20th century, were wrongly detained and deported. This is the party who appointed Rees-Mogg as the leader of the House of Commons. A man who would be called backwards in the 19th century. This party, whose leaders call Steven Bannon, and alt-right fascist, their friend. However, this is the party that will continue to hold up the rich and powerful. The establishment will not suffer under their rule. So, they do not need to be attacked on their wrongdoings. They can carry on fuelling their hatred, which will lead to violence against Muslims, Jews, black people, gays and immigrants.
It is not just the two major parties that have a problem with discrimination. Other parties do as well. The Lib Dems have had candidates being suspended for Islamophobia and homophobic comments. One candidate is currently running an Islamophobic campaign against Faiza Shaheen. They have also allowed in a former Tory MP who has a homophobic past. One candidate quit after he was exposed for writing racist and homophobic tweets. They have also accepted into their party Angela Smith, who went on live tv and described ethnic minorities as ‘funny tinge’. The leader of the Green Party singled out halal meat, without mentioning any other types of slaughters as being abusive. The lack of coverage on all types of discrimination within all parties show how little these people care about tackling discrimination. They use certain incident for their own personal gains.
Politics has a big problem with racism and discrimination, which is rarely talked about in the media. If we actually want to tackle all these different forms of discrimination, we need to work together, instead of just pointing fingers. If we tackle discrimination within politics, we will see a massive effect within society. Society reflects the way politics is heading. At the moment, politics is being diverted towards hatred. A hatred that has always existed. We must shift it to a place where everyone is treated equally, regardless of their race, religion, sex and sexual orientation. We must do this by working together.
Aleha
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