On Thursday 3rd October, Migrant Voice hosted a crucial event, bringing together community leaders and activists from all around London, to discuss how we can stand up to hate and division in this country. The event provided a space to reflect on the recent far-right racist riots, which exposed the intersection between migration rhetoric and racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and broader societal issues.
As someone who has personally navigated some of these challenges, both through my academic background and lived experiences, this event resonated deeply with me.
I was born in Bangladesh and have lived in several countries before coming to the UK. And although I have been very privileged compared to many who migrate from one country to another, I’ve come to understand that racism, migration, and women’s rights are not isolated issues; they are deeply interconnected.
During my studies, I explored how these overlapping systems of discrimination and marginalisation shape people’s lives. This understanding has been reinforced by what I’ve noticed in the UK—where migrants are viewed as the “other” and policies surrounding immigration have been influenced by racial and class biases.
The event was not just about discussing the recent violence; it was about understanding the deeper causes that have been brewing for years. As Mustafa Field from Faiths Forum for London rightly pointed out, the riots were not surprising. He said:
It was not a surprise for me as some of the politicians in this country had been scapegoating immigrants and Muslims, which led to this circumstance. And if we don’t stop this or address this issue, they will be talking about another group like they talk about Muslims.”
His words reflected the broader concern we all shared: the hostile narratives about migrants, perpetuated by some media outlets and politicians, fuel racism and normalise discrimination. And such narratives can be extremely dangerous because they not only encourage acts of hate, but they also entrench systemic inequalities.
The Interconnectedness of Racism, Migration, and Women’s Rights
The event highlighted that racism, migration, and women’s rights are inseparable issues. You can’t address one without considering the others. For instance, Diana Nammi, CEO of IKWRO – Women’s Rights Organisation, informed us about the struggles women face as migrants in the country. Her words highlighted the ways in which migrants—particularly women—are made vulnerable not only by their migrant status but also by their gender, race, and socio-economic position.
Similarly, Jacobo Belilty from CLAUK (Coalition of Latin Americans in the UK) emphasised the compounded difficulties faced by Latin American migrants, in the aftermath of the riots, services and information were largely inaccessible to them due to language barriers.
This is a stark example of how intersecting factors like race, language, and immigration status make certain communities even more vulnerable during crises.
From my own perspective, being a migrant is not just about moving from one country to another. It’s about navigating systems that weren’t designed to protect or include us—systems shaped by class, race, and gender biases. In the UK, migrants are often viewed through a lens of suspicion. This hostile view doesn’t just affect migrants—it shapes how the entire society understands race, class, and who “belongs”.
Key Reflections and Action Points from the Event
At the event, we broke into groups to discuss actionable strategies for addressing these intertwined issues. Several key points emerged:
1. Correcting the Narrative: The stories we hear about migrants in the media are often misleading or dehumanising. There was agreement that we need to actively work on reshaping the public discourse around migration by promoting positive, real stories that challenge harmful stereotypes.
2. Harnessing Social Media for Change: We discussed the potential for using social media platforms as tools for education and activism. There was strong support for the idea of developing online learning materials and apps that could help shift public perception and challenge racist and xenophobic rhetoric.
3. Pushing for Policy Change: Change needs to happen at the policy level. We talked about the importance of working with the government to push for more inclusive, human-centred policies that protect migrants rather than criminalising them.
4. Using Music and Culture as Tools for Social Change: Culture has always played a powerful role in challenging societal norms. By using music, art, and cultural expression, we can reach more people, especially those who might not be engaged in traditional forms of activism.
5. Building Broad Coalitions: To tackle the complexities of racism, migration, and women’s rights, we need to build broad coalitions that span anti-racist, pro-immigration, and women’s rights movements. Only by working together can we create the momentum for real, systemic change.
Final thoughts
Reflecting on the event, I was struck by how unified everyone was in their commitment to stand up against the hate that is brewing in the UK. Jeremy Crook, CEO of Action for Race Equality, put it powerfully: “We need to work together to address racist rhetoric.”
His call to action echoed the sentiment in the room—that we cannot afford to sit idly by while harmful narratives continue to spread.
As someone who has personally lived through the experiences of being a migrant and a person of colour, I know the importance of not letting these conversations fade away once the headlines move on. We must continue to challenge the harmful narratives, support one another, and push for the kind of society where everyone—regardless of their race, gender, or immigration status—is treated with dignity and respect.
Author: Zarin Tasnim, Executive Assistant
