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I asked a question about Brexit on national TV. Cue the racist backlash I asked a question about Brexit on national TV. Cue the racist backlash
(2 months later)
Last week I was in the audience for the ITV EU referendum debate with David Cameron and Nigel Farage. I asked Farage a question, and by the time I’d left the studio and switched on my phone, I had received more than a thousand tweets accusing me of promoting racism, largely from white male Ukip supporters.Last week I was in the audience for the ITV EU referendum debate with David Cameron and Nigel Farage. I asked Farage a question, and by the time I’d left the studio and switched on my phone, I had received more than a thousand tweets accusing me of promoting racism, largely from white male Ukip supporters.
Related: The ‘angry black girl’ stereotype shows just how little we are respected | Leah Sinclair
I had gone to the debate to challenge the discussion of migration and race in the EU campaign. Now I was being called the “face of racism in Britain”, accused of being a paid stooge for ITV, and subjected to a sudden and shocking stream of racism and misogyny. The experience was a window into just how much hatred and rage you can attract simply by being a black woman who raises her head above the parapet in modern Britain.I had gone to the debate to challenge the discussion of migration and race in the EU campaign. Now I was being called the “face of racism in Britain”, accused of being a paid stooge for ITV, and subjected to a sudden and shocking stream of racism and misogyny. The experience was a window into just how much hatred and rage you can attract simply by being a black woman who raises her head above the parapet in modern Britain.
I co-host the Melanin Millennials podcast, on which Satia Dias and I discuss British popular culture and socio-political issues. In May, an ITV researcher sent a generic email to us asking if we’d be interested in coming along to the debate. I was ambivalent about the EU referendum at the time, unsure whether to vote in or out. I had been speaking to black friends who are supporting the leave campaign, hopeful that African and Caribbean countries can secure better trade deals if Britain is independent of the EU. I was intrigued by this argument, and realised, of course, that the EU debate is a critical one. Satia and I discussed the invitation and emailed back to accept. What was the worst that could happen?I co-host the Melanin Millennials podcast, on which Satia Dias and I discuss British popular culture and socio-political issues. In May, an ITV researcher sent a generic email to us asking if we’d be interested in coming along to the debate. I was ambivalent about the EU referendum at the time, unsure whether to vote in or out. I had been speaking to black friends who are supporting the leave campaign, hopeful that African and Caribbean countries can secure better trade deals if Britain is independent of the EU. I was intrigued by this argument, and realised, of course, that the EU debate is a critical one. Satia and I discussed the invitation and emailed back to accept. What was the worst that could happen?
During the migration section of the debate, I asked Farage how the leavers were going to protect non-white British citizens from endless questions about their identity or nationality because of his inflammatory anti-immigration rhetoric. He told me my outlook “couldn’t be more wrong” – arrogantly dismissing me and my experiences – before adding: “I’m pro-Commonwealth … more African, Caribbean and Indian people can come here.” Well, I’m sure they can’t wait to get here. But my question was about the safety of the citizens who live in Britain already.During the migration section of the debate, I asked Farage how the leavers were going to protect non-white British citizens from endless questions about their identity or nationality because of his inflammatory anti-immigration rhetoric. He told me my outlook “couldn’t be more wrong” – arrogantly dismissing me and my experiences – before adding: “I’m pro-Commonwealth … more African, Caribbean and Indian people can come here.” Well, I’m sure they can’t wait to get here. But my question was about the safety of the citizens who live in Britain already.
The anti-immigration rhetoric at the forefront of the EU debate has become a real threat, at a time when racism generally seems to be increasing. For instance, last January British Transport Police reported that race-related hate crimes on trains had risen by 37% in the past five years; in 2015, there were over five attacks a day, on average; and the number of prosecutions for these crimes had been declining since 2013.The anti-immigration rhetoric at the forefront of the EU debate has become a real threat, at a time when racism generally seems to be increasing. For instance, last January British Transport Police reported that race-related hate crimes on trains had risen by 37% in the past five years; in 2015, there were over five attacks a day, on average; and the number of prosecutions for these crimes had been declining since 2013.
Related: Race hate crimes reported on UK railways rise 37% in five years
In this climate of fear and intimidation, what happens if I get on the wrong train? And, more broadly, what happens, for example, if I apply for a job with my ethnic-minority name?In this climate of fear and intimidation, what happens if I get on the wrong train? And, more broadly, what happens, for example, if I apply for a job with my ethnic-minority name?
I went to the debate hoping I would receive answers to my questions and some clarity on how I should vote. I never expected that voicing a valid concern would lead to such a negative backlash and blatant disregard of what I asked.I went to the debate hoping I would receive answers to my questions and some clarity on how I should vote. I never expected that voicing a valid concern would lead to such a negative backlash and blatant disregard of what I asked.
The thousands of tweets I received suggested I was “the cause of racism and not the solution”. One addressed me as “an idiot bitch”, adding that “[Farage] said the black people can come into this country”. “I really hope I meet you once in my lifetime you racist ugly bitch,” another said. And my favourite: “With an attitude change Imi is good looking & clever, she could go a long way, too much anger in her.” I suppose I should be flattered and overlook the fact that he dismissed me with the same old “angry black woman” trope.The thousands of tweets I received suggested I was “the cause of racism and not the solution”. One addressed me as “an idiot bitch”, adding that “[Farage] said the black people can come into this country”. “I really hope I meet you once in my lifetime you racist ugly bitch,” another said. And my favourite: “With an attitude change Imi is good looking & clever, she could go a long way, too much anger in her.” I suppose I should be flattered and overlook the fact that he dismissed me with the same old “angry black woman” trope.
The response was overwhelming, and at one point I did break down because of how intensely Farage’s supporters tried to distort the facts. Messages of support came privately and in person; I guess people didn’t want to associate with me publicly for fear that they too would be lambasted. I can’t blame them.The response was overwhelming, and at one point I did break down because of how intensely Farage’s supporters tried to distort the facts. Messages of support came privately and in person; I guess people didn’t want to associate with me publicly for fear that they too would be lambasted. I can’t blame them.
Was it worth it, and would I do it again? Absolutely. If I hadn’t had a point, I wouldn’t have been attacked so viciously. I did it for everyone who doesn’t have the platform that I do. Minorities need to be represented in matters that can impact on their lives. Who cares whether racists want to hear them or not? Farage didn’t answer my question directly but his response told me everything I needed to know: that he only considers me British because of my familial ties to the Commonwealth.Was it worth it, and would I do it again? Absolutely. If I hadn’t had a point, I wouldn’t have been attacked so viciously. I did it for everyone who doesn’t have the platform that I do. Minorities need to be represented in matters that can impact on their lives. Who cares whether racists want to hear them or not? Farage didn’t answer my question directly but his response told me everything I needed to know: that he only considers me British because of my familial ties to the Commonwealth.
The EU is doing a fantastic job of protecting my rights, and I can’t risk losing them in the vain hope that the Commonwealth will get better trade deals if we leave. I attended the ITV debate undecided, and in the aftermath I’m sure that I will be voting to remain.The EU is doing a fantastic job of protecting my rights, and I can’t risk losing them in the vain hope that the Commonwealth will get better trade deals if we leave. I attended the ITV debate undecided, and in the aftermath I’m sure that I will be voting to remain.