Race – Page 2 – Mike Marqusee

Nov 1, 2006

Veiled threats

Red Pepper, November 2006 Open hostility to multi-culturalism used to be the preserve of the nationalist right, but since 9/11, it’s flooded the mainstream and bamboozled more than a few who proudly declare themselves liberals. In recent months, it’s been noisily blamed for homegrown terrorism and the alleged “self-segregation” of minority groups, damned as a… Read more

Oct 6, 2006

Double Jack’s standards

Comment is free, The Guardian, October 6 It has become routine in this country for those who wish to give vent to prejudice to insist that they only wish to start a “debate”. How could anyone object? Debate is always a good thing. But when the premises informing the putative debate are riddled with double… Read more

Oct 1, 2006

Multi-culturalism and the politics of white identity

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD The Hindu, 1st October FOR many years, attacks on “multi-culturalism” in Britain were confined to the far Right, which argued, like its counterparts in other countries, that the nation could only survive if it was homogeneous, welded together by a single racial, religious or cultural identity. However, since 9/11, “multi-culturalism” has come… Read more

Aug 6, 2006

Imperial whitewash

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD The Hindu, 6 August As of November last year, anyone applying for British citizenship has to pass a test demonstrating both proficiency in English and “sufficient knowledge of life in the United Kingdom”. In preparation for the test, applicants are asked to study a booklet that begins with a brief history of Britain…. Read more

Jun 27, 2006

In Thrall to St George

The Guardian, 27 June [NB. Postscript below] As has been widely noted, this World Cup has witnessed an unprecedented display of England flags. Less noted is the fact that this display is far more extensive than in other countries. There’s no parallel, for example, in Holland and Italy, though both boast fanatical football cultures. We’re… Read more

Jun 13, 2006

Branding the nation

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD The Hindu, 11 June In London at the moment you can’t get away from it. The red cross flag of St George is fluttering from cars and balconies, plastered on windows and billboards, inscribed on chocolate bars, pizza boxes and soft drink bottles. And in case anyone was not aware that England… Read more

Jun 6, 2006

Anyone but Ingerland?

A dialogue between Mark Perryman and Mike Marqusee Red Pepper, June 2006 Mark Perryman puts the case for flying the St George cross at the World Cup, while Mike Marqusee explains why he’ll be rooting for anyone but England to win it. Mark Perryman kicks off the discussion: The beginning of June must be a… Read more

Apr 12, 2006

Who needs to fit in?

The clash between multiculturalists and integrationists hides the hard issues of injustice The Guardian, April 12 The punch line goes like this: “Because he worked in the family business, lived at home till he was 30 and thought his mother was a virgin.” When I first heard it, that was the answer to the question:… Read more

Feb 19, 2006

The cartoon and the commentators

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD The Hindu, 19 February It’s impossible not to be dismayed by the spiral of events. A witless racist cartoon is elevated into a totem of western democracy and holocaust denial becomes a symbol of resistance to imperialism. The message contained in the Danish cartoon was blunt: it drew an equation between Muslims… Read more

Jul 24, 2005

Atrocity and introspection

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD The Hindu, 24 July The mid-afternoon queue in my high street bank is long and sluggish. It’s a hot day, by London standards, and everyone looks a little sleepy. There’s a woman in hijab and full length dark cloak, who seems cooler than most of us, standing in front of a middle… Read more