England remains unwavering, resolute in its continuation
Last weekend witnessed the largest nationalist demonstration in the country's history, drawing over 110,000 people under the banner 'Unite the Kingdom'. The event, led by far-right extremist Tommy Robinson, echoed sentiments reminiscent of the disaffected working class depicted in the film 'This Is England'.
The demonstrators, who identified themselves as realists and nationalists, expressed feelings of hate, fear, and a sense of injustice. They blamed foreigners for their struggles, a sentiment mirroring the narrative in 'This Is England'. The film follows a 12-year-old boy named Shaun who, due to lack of guidance, bullying, and unhandled anger, slides into the far-right scene.
Shaun's story, as depicted in 'This Is England', illustrates the vulnerability of individual individuals who seek belonging and are susceptible to indoctrination. His father figure becomes a twentysomething named Combo, just out of prison. Influenced by Combo, Shaun ends up at a National Front politician's event, preaching that 'England' is now a forbidden word.
Robinson's speech during the 'Unite the Kingdom' demonstration did not contain overt signs of neo-Nazism. However, his words, such as 'They've attacked the family, they've attacked Christianity, they've flooded our nations', resemble those spoken by a neo-Nazi politician in 'This Is England'.
The film's director, Shane Meadows, masterfully portrays the exploitation of anger to promote repugnant ideas. The words spoken and cheered during the demonstration suggest that the sentiments and attitudes portrayed in 'This Is England' continue to exist in modern England.
Interestingly, the majority of the demonstration's attendees appeared to be ordinary individuals, not labeled as racists, Islamophobes, or far-right in their speeches. This raises questions about the underlying motivations and the extent to which these individuals are genuinely radicalised or simply voicing their discontent.
Robinson's rhetoric resembles that of the 1980s in England, specifically Thatcher's England. This parallel underscores the persistence of these divisive sentiments over the decades. The demonstration served as a stark reminder of the need for open dialogue and understanding in addressing the complex issues facing our society today.
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