The terrorist attack on the Christchurch mosques by a right-wing fanatic has exposed a dark network of white supremacist, islamophobic, anti-immigrant and misogynist people and movements that want to destroy all progressive aspects in the advance of humanity.
These networks openly admire US President Trump and other right-wing ideologues because their hatreds and fears are being manipulated by these same “establishment” forces. When Trump says “I think Islam hates us” and “Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in,” referring to the migrant caravan from South America to the US, and bans migrants from “Muslim countries” the message of hate and bigotry is clear.
Political “leaders” throughout the so-called Western world – the advanced capitalist countries in North America, Europe, Japan and Australasia, echo or amplify these sentiments and set loose the demons that attacked Christchurch
These are also the countries that made themselves rich by exploiting the wealth of the so-called “developing” world and looted their human and mineral resources to become the richest nations on earth.
Islamaphobic prejudice has become a dominant narrative for the right wing and racist forces, in part because it is a useful tool used by the rulers of the US and its “allies” – including New Zealand on some occasions- to provide political cover to their wars of empire across the globe in recent decades.
Millions of lives have been lost as the US and its allies waged war on Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria and supported proxy wars on Yemen, Somalia, Sudan. This slaughter has happened because this region holds most of the world’s oil supplies and for no other reason.
The recent attacks on Venezuela are because they have oil, but also because they have begun to try and talk about the socialist alternative – a 21stCentury socialism – that the world now desperately needs. Venezuela is subject to slander and lies of a different sort as well of course to justify these attacks and we should also be showing that country the solidarity it needs to survive.
Millions of more lives have been displaced as people flee these “failed states” in search of refuge only to be denied entry, detained, or simply allowed to drown in the Mediterranean Sea and off Australia’s coast, or die of dehydration crossing the Mexican border.
During this same period of never-ending wars, world capitalism suffered its deepest international economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Austerity became the order of the day throughout the advanced capitalist world as unemployment boomed while budgets for health, welfare and education were being cut. Blaming the refugee or migrant for these economic calamities became a familiar refrain for the right-wing parties and movements.
That is what makes the Islamophobia such a powerful tool. It is a weapon to serve the needs of a war-mongering profit-seeking system and way of keeping the oppressed and exploited people of the world, fighting among ourselves instead of against our common enemy – the ruling 1% in these advanced capitalist countries.
We need to do more, much more to challenge all forms of bigotry and hatred. This includes on a personal level calling out anyone and everyone who peddles the lies and hatreds. It means physically protecting where necessary any people that are being targetted for abuse for their race, religion, ethnicity, sex or gender.
But we also need to mobilise in New Zealand to repudiate this attack and tell the world we will not be divided or terrorised by this attack into despair or surrender.
The government must declare a national day of mourning for those killed. This was done after the Christchurch earthquake and these people deserve no less.
But the union movement, churches, and migrant communities should take this day as an opportunity to go onto the streets in our hundreds of thousands with actions in every town and city across New Zealand to declare our “Peace, Love and Solidarity” with our Muslim brothers and sisters, that we reject all forms of racism, Islamophobia, bigotry and hatred towards any part of our community.
Really??? You are using this horrible terrorist act to promote Socialism?
I find that risible. It is why I will continue to oppose Socialism and people like you who promote that disgusting ideology.
So Mike, what do you say to the attacks of Hamas in Gaza on protesters who want freedom? You know the group you support but should be challenged for their bigotry and hatred. Therefore on a personal level I call you out as one who peddles the lies and hatreds.
What’s worse is you politicise it to promote your warmed-up brand of socialism which people reject.
“That is what makes the Islamophobia such a powerful tool. It is a weapon to serve the needs of a war-mongering profit-seeking system and way of keeping the oppressed and exploited people of the world, fighting among ourselves instead of against our common enemy – the ruling 1% in these advanced capitalist countries.”
Man that’s a stretch.
I identify as a socialist and I think that is strong hyperbole.
Are you happy that Mike Treen is using this tragedy to push for a Socialist future?
It isn’t ‘hyperbole’. It is the overarching truth.
Consider the Western corporate media: while superficially decrying racism and islamophobia, slyly eggs it on by reporting news in a one-sided, sensationalist way, and without any historical context or nuance.
Awesome essay Mr Treen, you are 1000% right, the only possible way forward is a socialist future, we have learned the lessons of unbridled capitalist greed and the mistakes and excesses of the soviet Union and China. Socialism can and must do better next time, and it is the only way forward if humanity is to have any future.
Agree Mike, only socialism will make society fair. Objections by nasties doesn’t alter that, rather, they prove it. Important blog, and good post Mark.
Comments are closed.