Yes, I've posted a new Substack, but I felt compelled to come here and talk a little bit about what prompted me to write that text. Even though the text centers on language, many other issues are reflected in that essay.
After days spent perusing the news and navigating testimonies from locals, immigrants, activists, and journalists about the far-right-wing riots this past week, a lingering silence has settled over here. At no point did I expect people to take a stance on what was happening - I am still grappling with how this outburst of violence, fueled by misinformation, has not only spread across England but throughout the entire UK.
It is no wonder that scrolling through social media and stumbling upon scenes of violence, such as the stabbing of three girls at a dance class in Southport [North of England], is both disheartening and heartbreaking. I was filled with consternation when I learned of this tragedy. However, my dismay only deepened when I came across a video of a middle-aged man from Liverpool broadcasting one of the earliest riots in the city. A violent mob hurled bricks and bombs at a mosque, driven by unfounded rumors that the perpetrator was Muslim. While I am extremely circumspect about what is spread through mainstream media, by the time people had joined the crowds of other rioters, BBC and other TV channels had already reported that the suspect was, in fact, born and bred in Wales.
Things took a turn for the worse when misinformation proved to be much stronger and validated than fact-checked reports. The following evening, more than a thousand people gathered in the streets, demanding more severe anti-immigration laws. Police reported that the violence was believed to have been instigated by a far-right group, fueling people's hatred against immigrants and encouraging further violent protests in other areas.
In the wake of the riots, people began joining anti-immigration groups throughout the UK, targeting and attacking immigrants from various backgrounds - from Muslims to Asians. Although the far-right movements dominated the streets during the riots, communities within anti-fascist and anti-racist organizations responded with a series of counter-protests. Much to our relief, the number of pro-immigrant supporters eventually outnumbered the racist rioters.
You might be wondering: How is this possibly connected with language? Why should I care?
This is, in essence, part of a broader inner crisis experienced by both native and non-native speakers. On one hand, I have no intention of delving into the intricate details of mass immigration movements. On the other hand, the crux of the problem lies deeply embedded in an interconnected crisis involving economics, geopolitics, history, politics, culture, language, and identity.
Whether or not speaking a second language equates with identification, engaging with this issue is part of our role as language users. Undoubtedly, sensitive topics such as identity and mass immigration are a minefield, and thoroughly examining them demands considerable effort, often turning out to be a Herculean task. Conversely, even though I acknowledge that this might be an anathema to some educators, this sensitive and heated debate should be addressed by our community, ensuring our role as disseminators and supporters of global voices.
Moments like these can be profoundly disorienting, leaving us feeling out of whack for quite some time. It belatedly occurred to me that we are not merely endorsing a global language, but rather, we are promoting a much more diverse and political space for global voices - where identities and relevant contemporary issues are genuinely seen and heard.
Advocating for a global language, particularly its multiplicity and diversity, is inextricably linked to our role as insatiably curious researchers. By deepening our understanding of language systems and geopolitics, we recognize that the languages we speak are continuously shaped and reshaped by immigrants. Their sense of belonging is also embodied in language, as it serves as a fundamental tool for identification.
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