Published on 18th Aug, 2017
‘I’m not racist, but. . .’ – how often is this heard in local communities on both sides of the Atlantic? And it’s true; people are not necessarily racist when they express anxieties and uncertainties about the pace of change and how it is seen to be impacting on their local area.
This is the reality that community organisers are facing whether in Oregon (USA) or in Hull (UK). It is the challenge that encouraged Unbound Philanthropy, The Atlantic Philanthropies and The Social Change Initiative to support a Migration Learning Exchange (MLE) in July 2017. Hope not Hate (hopenothate.org.uk) hosted the trans-Atlantic exchange in London. The topic was set as ‘Engaging with Marginalized Communities: Challenging Comfort Zones’.
Hope not Hate CEO, Nick Lowles describes the organization as established to offer a positive antidote to the politics of hate. Its objective is to identify a ‘more positive and engaged way of doing anti-Fascism’.
In this context community organizing is a natural fit, ably supported by first class research and intelligence. Hope not Hate doesn’t hesitate to name individuals and political groups that seek to expand their influence through peddling fear. Right-wing Fascism and Islamist extremism are equally fair game to be called out; however, the objective of ‘making the community feel different about themselves’ remains a priority.
