Shropshire Star comment: We must speak out on racism
Bullying people because of their skin colour, religion or heritage has no place in civilised society. And yet the number of racist incidents rose astronomically following the Brexit vote.
Dark forces were unleashed as uncouth and ignorant zealots engaged in casual racism. We must put a stop to such behaviour immediately.
Brexit was a divisive and messy affair that generated strong feelings on both sides of the argument. Families found themselves at loggerheads, communities were suddenly antagonistic and friendships became strained.
At a national level and at a local level, some went too far by making pernicious and ill-judged attacks on those who were not born in Britain or whose skin colour was not white.
The Brexit vote was won by those who sought an end to our involvement in the European project. However, though we will leave the European Union, we remain European. And we are letting ourselves down if we condone the sort of unpleasant and distasteful behaviour that has bubbled to the surface in recent times.
In an increasingly small world, we rely on co-operation with other nations. Even the most powerful nations on earth do not pursue an isolationist agenda. Distancing ourselves from people who are perceived to be different is a reductive and unbalanced act.
It's a disgrace and illustrates the level of ignorance there can be found among an alarming number of people.
Those who campaigned to leave the EU must be dismayed that their considered arguments have been hijacked as an excuse to attack people. People who engage in such anti-social and racist behaviour should be held to account. Whether they are guilty of verbal assaults or online abuse, they should be reported to the authorities.
It is right that our exit from Europe should be debated but it is totally wrong that the vote should be warped by those who want to attack and belittle people for malignant reasons. We live in a tolerant society that is far removed from the unpleasant times of the 1970s, when racism was socially acceptable. We all have a duty to say speak out as we seek to make our communities safe, friendlier, more welcoming and inclusive.
