Be Vigilant: EDL Presence in Leicester

For those of you that don't know the English Defense League or EDL are a group who's sole ambition is to erase Islam from England. Claiming that this is a defense of England's sovereignty, national identity and beautiful heritage.

Well I am not quite sure where I shall begin my ruthless dissection, with the level of ignorance in that statement.

I don't need to highlight to anyone reading my blog the illogical, fundamentally flawed and ignorant nature of a racist ideology. I take it for granted that for at least the few people who may come on here to read my views  do so knowing and fully understanding me. Or as a bare minimum having had me reel off my opinions on such matters after a few pints of Thatchers. Therefore the EDL to claim that these "policies" have any credibility is a farce and a monumental error. What these words are, that they flaunt under the banner of politics for a better England, is the thoughts of a few ageing middle aged men. Men who after trying to vent their aggression on Pakistani twelve year olds in the 80's, when they needed a scapegoat for their inability to find work, are now finding their sons have the same problem. Once again with unemployment on the rise, people too proud to criticise themselves, seek to demonise a minority.

Anyone else getting a bit bored with their lack of originality?

Although we have to admit that Islam was the obvious scapegoat. Al Qaeda's association with Islam made mainstream Islam a target so easy to demonise it must have made the EDL visibly salivate. But as such to claim that Al Qaeda's views are like that of mainstream Islam is similar to claiming that I am a Nazi down to some rock hard evidence...I and Adolf Hitler have both wore shoes at least once in the past...

So with the presence of the EDL now announced in Leicester for early February I am presented with the opportunity to protest. To stand for what I believe is right and just and to uphold my moral code for which I live every second of my life because I am proud to do so.

But what of my fellow protesters? Will they do the same? Will there be many? The EDL are famous for their violence as well as their quite remarkable levels of ignorance. They will arrive in great numbers, their enemy clear to them, testosterone running high, a formidable opponent. Especially to someone with my delicate frame...

So the first question to ask is do I really believe that there will be none among those that gather to appose racism on the day, that wont have their own thirst for violence. I doubt it. People are right to be angry, they can no doubt see in the brush stroke of this group the same driving force of racism that will have been present in any racial or religious discrimination they have ever received themselves. So whilst acknowledging the presence of a violent force on the side of the opposition I must also be mindful of a similar beast on my side of the chasm.

I feel that violence on the side opposing racism simply can't be present. There must not be pictures strewn across the papers of EDL fists meeting those of UAF supporters. Not that I advocate standing idle whilst you are beaten purely for exercising your right to protest. But I make this plea to those attending to let that only be the case because of failed policing, not due to someone poking the metaphorical lion with a stick through the bars of a frail wire cage.Because those doing so will be responsible for a victory for the EDL.

Secondly, in spite of the dangers, I ask protesters to be bold, be brave and proud to uphold these beliefs. There are worse times ahead for the battles against discrimination. This is not as bad as it gets. So get the thirst for activism and the deep sense of moral reward that is their for all who attend to receive, at least while the numbers are still minimal. There are patterns in history and adding that to the frequent extremes we witness as a result as of cultures crashing together on all fronts, we would be childish to assume that these ill informed and shameful 'representatives' for England are the worst that racism, as the evil and cowardly beast that it is, has to throw at Leicester.

So when the EDL step off their coaches, be there. But represent a self aware, humble, and better educated body of people that are unified by their love for a humanity we all deserve and frankly, will give all that we have to create and defend.

I hope I see you there x

Tory MP Revolt Against Gay Marriage

This morning in the 'i', it was revealed that there is a plot within the Conservative parties back benchers to revolt in one of the largest of its kind in recent history. The revolt being against same sex marriages.I immediately became enraged. Once again rendered furious at man-kind's refusal to recognise their own ignorance and to realise their own illogical discrimination towards a group of people who on this subject, only desire the facility afforded to all same sex couples, to unite themselves formally as a couple. "I must protest!", I thought instantly, my  mind reeling, searching for links in my social spectrum to London, to activism, searching for a vehicle to begin a protest and send out this message of defiance.Whilst this anger had been so quickly spread throughout me, I had to question my willingness to exert all this energy on this, instead of far more pressing infringements on the rights of gay people and the rights of people all over the world. Ugandan politicians in office still feel that homosexuals deserve death for their love. Trans gender people are forced to be sterilised in Sweden. Punks are being declared a "social cancer" before being sent to "re-education camps" in Indonesia, yet why am I ready to draw swords so quickly. Because whilst marriage for me is still a liberty granted to heterosexuals and therefore should be available to all, it is hardly as pressing a matter as the witch hunting for gays in Uganda.

This was highlighted by a close friend of mine, he himself being gay along with his keen interest in politics has given him a far more in depth understanding and familiarity with this kind of prejudice. And also its urgency with regards to other inequalities in the world. At first I felt silly, and a bit stupid for flying off the handle so quickly  on the issue of same sex marriages, given that in other countries a gay person cant leave their house without being beaten abused and in some cases tortured.

But, in a situation where there is inequality, even the smallest discrimination prevents equality. Being passionate about gay marriage doesn't deserve less of your attention just because there are worse things happening. If you believe that to be the case then Rosa Parks was just being stubborn about her bus seat. The point is there is no bad discrimination and not so bad discrimination, there is only discrimination. None of which should be tolerated. The only point to discuss after that is to what extent you can help. Because everyone can.

If there is a couple with a new born baby in London on a low income, its hard for them to drop what they are doing to d-lock themselves to the front of the UN to raise awareness for the people in Uganda. But they can very easily spend one afternoon and the evening before to paint some witty words on a bed sheet then walk it in front of the commons with any one else that is passionate about equality and freedom and against this vote. Don't be put of by the severity, obviously if you had to choose, you would aid those who may die as a result of having their human rights withheld. But if the only thing you feel you can do is to protest against this form of prejudice, then do it, and give it everything you have.

So get scribbling on those bed sheets.