The massacre of at least 49 people – in and just outside two mosques in Christchurch – this afternoon (Friday, March 15) is a horror that has shocked much of the country. People are saying ‘not here’. Ok, that’s understandable. However we will only make progress where we’re like ‘not anywhere’.
It was the rhetoric and warmongering against Islamic countries waged by the Western powers for the past two decades that created the ideological backdrop for far-right attacks on Muslim communities. When the cold war came to an end the old communist bogeyman was replaced by the Muslim bogeyman.
On top of this, all the parliamentary parties favour immigration controls which demonise particular sets of immigrants, especially those from East Asia and the Middle East, setting up the idea that people from these region are less legitimate as NZ citizens. In recent years, Labour has a particularly atrocious record in relation to demonising immigrants, thereby contributing to the anti-immigrant poison which people like the white racists behind this attack draw from ideologically. Labour in opposition kept banging the anti-immigration drum. Andrew Little in 2017 claimed that migrants were clogging up the roads, filling the houses and taking jobs. It’s time for a breather on immigration he said. Phil Twyford, announced a “tsunami of Chinese money” was heading to our shores. He claimed 60% of house sales in Auckland were to Chinese buyers – a false and xenophobic statement.
The people who administer the NZ imperialist state can wring their hands and issue their moral condemnations, but a good deal of responsibility for this bloodshed lies with them. And while issuing their moral condemnations, they will continue to wreak carnage in the Third World and maintain immigration control that delegitimise the presence in New Zealand of the victim of these attacks. And the state will continue to tool up. That, of course, won’t even help public safety. The state has increased ‘anti-terrorism’ laws since 2001 and intensified its spying capabilities. Its monitoring has been directed at Islamic communities and the far left, but it is the far right that is more likely to carry out acts of mass terror.
Redline stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and friends of the victims. And we stand in solidarity with the peoples of the Third World who are on the receiving end of the bombs and bullets delivered by order of people like Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern.
“...When the cold war came to an end the old communist bogeyman was replaced by the Muslim bogeyman...”
ReplyDeleteWell if your history books start from 1945 you could jump to that conclusion. How did a place like Arabia turn 100% Muslim absent of any European influence? Did Turkey turn 99% Muslim by peaceful persuasion alone ? Is the modern manifestation a departure from, or continuation of, this legacy?
What was bigger btw, Arab slave trade (which of course was nothing to do with Islam ,and shouldn’t be blamed on anyone today) or the European slave trade (which was solely to do with innate white racism for which we must all atone today)?
Ps If Baltimore (Cork) had any inhabitants left after it was raided and its people taken to North African slavery by the Barbary Pirates, they might indeed have conceived of a Muslim bogeyman.
ReplyDeleteAnybody who lives here, or has visted NZ or Australia would have to be blind not to notice the huge waves of immigration coming to these shores. Both countries are addicted to Asian Capital. Not entirely sure how this marries with keeping them out.
ReplyDeleteWhat type of immigration wave does Oz/NZ face? Are there too many Irish men after jet setting South East Asia deciding to settle in Oz/NZ with their families, too many taliban, brothers..What ethnic wave is your part of this rock you live on facing?..Probably much the same as every where I guess..
DeleteStrategy of tension.
ReplyDelete