Rising Racism and the Complexity of National Identity in the UK
The article discusses the increasing presence of racism in UK politics, highlighted by the use of "Go home" rhetoric and criticism faced by figures like David Lammy. It provides examples of everyday racism, such as racial slurs at a road junction, exclusion from a pub, and a health worker feeling unsafe, illustrating how people's sense of belonging is frequently questioned.
An IPPR study is cited to show a growing number of people absorbing hard-right narratives, underscoring the need to reassess the national identity and values. The legal context is outlined, referencing the 1971 Immigration Act and the 2002 Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act, under which the Home Secretary can revoke citizenship without notice if deemed in the public good. Around 9 million vulnerable dual nationals are affected, with minority citizens being 12 times more vulnerable than white citizens.
The author, Hugh Muir, a Windrush-born descendant whose parents migrated in the 1950s and later faced insecurity under the 1971 Act, shares his personal experience. His DNA ancestry results reveal mixed origins spanning Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Scotland, Iceland (from his mother), and Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Devon/Somerset, Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, Panama, Costa Rica, and the Netherlands (from his father). These findings challenge the notion of a single fixed homeland or national identity.
