Don’t waste energy flapping at the racist wasp
So Islam4UK have decided to cal off their proposed march through Wootton Bassett. The group’s leader, Anjem Choudary, claimed that they had ‘successfully highlighted the plight of Muslims in Afghanistan’, and that ‘no more could be achieved even if a procession were to take place in Wootton Bassett’.
Islam4UK had previously said it had chosen the Wiltshire town, known for the repatriation of the UK’s war dead from Afghanistan and Iraq, to create maximum publicity. And they succeeded. A huge Facebook campaign against them, an army of tabloids and broadsheets united in disgust, MPs of all parties, even mainstream Muslims. But you have to ask: why did everyone bother with their outrage and indignant stances? Didn’t we all know that these people had no intention of marching anywhere? After all, their previous marches have been well-publicised, but badly attended if ever held. How many times as a child – and later – have we been advised not to rise to the bait? Yet along comes slogan-shouting Mr Choudary and the centre-right all ask how high they should jump. The reaction was oh so similar to that of the left and centre-left to the appearance of Nick Griffin on Question Time. Why do we let them use us in this way?
I make no apology for bracketing Nick Griffin together in this way. Both are racists, fascists even. Both peddle the politics of hate, of a master race. Both rely on anger and outrage, both to make their points. Both know that if their comments are not rabid enough to make the media froth at the mouth, then their barmy policies will not gain the oxygen of publicity needed to sustain themselves. They make their comments to stir up hate, against themselves and against those they also hate. Those of us who shout back, who express our distaste and intolerance for their distasteful and intolerant remarks are encouraging them to continue, just as those who boo Simon Cowell, Craig Revel Horwood or Jason Gardiner in their respective ‘talent show’ audiences. Some people just want to be noticed.
As many of us know to our costs, waving our arms at a buzzing insect does not make it go away – quite the opposite. So next time Messrs Choudary or Griffin start up their nasty bile, just ignore them and they’ll go away.
Related posts:
- Nick Griffin: wary of the issues and scared of the LibDems
- In which the Queen gives Nick Griffin enough rope …
- So almost no-one agreed with Nick – and he doesn’t understand why?
Comments
10 January 2010, 10:07 pm
I tend to agree with you, and this is a strong post. I think Labour suffered tremendously in the European elections through making too big a deal of the BNP.
On the other hand I don’t think they can be ignored though, they are dangerous – but not seriously about politics – they’re dangerous in the way that criminal gangs are dangerous.
You might want to see my blog on more or less the same issue : http://wp.me/pycui-fK