Why did so many young people take part in the English riots of 2024? | Letters
Mohammed Ali Amla says we need to understand how far-right movements are exploiting children, and Alice Flinta says racism is a systemic issue fuelled by online misinformation Young people are rarely drawn into the far right purely by racist or ideological motivations; the reality is far more complex (Hatred of police not racism motivated children in English riots, report finds, 28 January). Factors such as personal grievances, vulnerabilities, social media influence, a search for identity and a desire to belong all play a role. However, once they become involved, racism, hatred and intolerance quickly become deeply ingrained.It is important not to downplay the role of online disinformation, anti-immigrant sentiment, Islamophobia and racist views. Social media was flooded with images of children chanting racist and Islamophobic slogans, attacking those perceived to be Muslim, inciting community disorder and targeting mosques with violence. Downplaying this avoids the reality that the prevalent culture wars are feeding intolerance, hatred and prejudice towards anyone considered the other – in this case Muslims and immigrants. Continue reading...
Mohammed Ali Amla says we need to understand how far-right movements are exploiting children, and Alice Flinta says racism is a systemic issue fuelled by online misinformation
Young people are rarely drawn into the far right purely by racist or ideological motivations; the reality is far more complex (Hatred of police not racism motivated children in English riots, report finds, 28 January). Factors such as personal grievances, vulnerabilities, social media influence, a search for identity and a desire to belong all play a role. However, once they become involved, racism, hatred and intolerance quickly become deeply ingrained.
It is important not to downplay the role of online disinformation, anti-immigrant sentiment, Islamophobia and racist views. Social media was flooded with images of children chanting racist and Islamophobic slogans, attacking those perceived to be Muslim, inciting community disorder and targeting mosques with violence. Downplaying this avoids the reality that the prevalent culture wars are feeding intolerance, hatred and prejudice towards anyone considered the other – in this case Muslims and immigrants. Continue reading...
