the far right: why we can’t be silent anymore.
2016 has certainly been an interesting year, one which will no doubt go down in history. With twists and turns from Brexit to Trump, it’s been a surprising year that contained events that perhaps not what all of us would have predicted back in 2015. One could trace this trend of sad, unexpected events back to the deaths of Bowie and Alan Rickman, or the murder of Jo Cox, or perhaps even back towards the attacks in Brussels.
And as we enter 2017, it’s easy enough to pessimistically assume that similar events will continue to occur. We can look to the 2017 French Election, for example. It is easy enough for people to look at the successes of Brexit and Trump and feel motivated to continue populist trends in voting for Marine Le Pen. She may be regarded as an outsider now, but this year’s events have taught us to expect the unexpected. France could have a far-right president, and is highly likely to at least have a fairly right-wing president given the serious unpopularity of left-wing and socialist ideas among much of the French populace at the moment.
It would be easy to look despairingly at 2016 and simply feel frustrated at what happened, or what didn’t happen. But what would that do? We must take this year as a series of lessons which we can learn from to start fighting back. And we can do this in many ways;
1. Activate the youth
If 16-17 year olds had been able to vote in the EU referendum, it is highly likely that the UK would have remained in the EU. Statistics show that predominantly older, white voters voted to leave the EU. Whilst people have argued that young people would not have voted on such a high turnout, the Scottish referendum (where 75% of 16-17 year olds voted) arguably proves otherwise. This teaches us that the youth of today are politically active and willing to take their future into their own hands. In 2017, we must further encourage young people to become activists and to stand up for what they believe in.
2. Active, not passive resistance
It is easy enough to retweet a simple tweet protesting the injustices of the system, or to sign up to an online petitions website. But this is no longer enough, even though it is useful. We must take a more active resistance if we want positive changes to be made. Sign petitions, yes, and share videos and messages. But also, protest, demonstrate, take to the streets and tell your government if they are not doing enough to protect the rights of the people. Summon resistance, in the form of creating your own petitions, starting an online blog or joining a political society. We must begin to resist actively and not passively.
3. Do not be silent anymore
If you see or hear injustice, do not silently assimilate or allow it to occur around you. Speak out against the racist comment you hear in the street. Tell your Trump-supporting friends about the culture of xenophobia that his election has legitimised, and begin to fight against it as much as possible. If this year has taught us anything, it is that we cannot be silent anymore. All liberal, centre, left-wing like-minded people must begin to take a stand if we want to create and then maintain a world in which there is no discrimination and greater justice for all. We must use our voices now to take a stand against the corruption and injustice existing around us, and only then can we ensure that our 2017 will be a year of triumph.
And so, I urge all who read this to not give up, and not to be silent! Learn the harsh lessons of 2016, and ensure that next year we take matters into our own hands and work together for equality.
