Anti-Racism Movement Revived in 2024 Amidst Historical Echoes

“It is unacceptable that discussions regarding racism and racially motivated assaults persist nearly five decades later,” stated Lynval Golding, a co-founder of The Specials. He expressed his indignation that recent summer disturbances evoked “flashbacks” of his personal encounters in Coventry during the 1970s and 80s. Nevertheless, following widespread unrest throughout the UK, exacerbated by digital disinformation and anti-immigrant views, the Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) campaign is undergoing a revival. This relaunch occurs over 40 years after its precursor, Rock Against Racism (RAR), initially merged popular music with political activism. Organisers anticipate that a Coventry event scheduled for Saturday, featuring a performance by local musical groups, will carry particular emotional weight due to the city’s past marked by severe racist homicides and aggressive attacks. In the wake of this summer’s nationwide violence, British Asians reflected on the 1970s and 1980s, a period characterized by prevalent racist aggression and the growing influence of the National Front. During the era when the National Front was most prominent, individuals contended with daily harassment, instances of police brutality, and subsequent riots. Guitarist and vocalist Golding questioned, “How can people get into the state where they would want to go and burn down a hotel with other human beings in it?” The Specials, alongside numerous other groups such as Birmingham reggae icons Steel Pulse, Aswad, and The Clash, performed at RAR concerts. The movement originated in 1976 as a response to an increase in racist assaults, prior to LMHR’s establishment in 2002, when it assumed the role of its forerunner. Clive Dixon, representing Coventry LMHR, stated that it is currently essential to adapt the movement to combat “a frightening expansion of the far-right across Europe.” “We mustn’t be afraid to confront it again.” In the late 1970s and early 80s, various regions of Britain observed escalating racial intolerance and aggression. Within a mere five-month span, Coventry alone recorded two racially motivated homicides, one attempted murder, multiple petrol bomb incidents, and a multitude of assaults. This period of violence served as the context for Jerry Dammers’ establishment of the 2 Tone movement. In April 1981, Satnam Singh Gill, a 20-year-old student, was fatally stabbed in the city centre during daylight hours, reportedly because he was walking with his white girlfriend. This incident occurred after the death of Dr Amal Dharry, who was also stabbed outside a chip shop in Coventry’s Earlsdon district. Court proceedings at the time indicated that a 17-year-old had committed the killing of the professional as part of a wager. Both fatalities deeply affected the city. Local organizations, including the Indian Workers’ Association and the Anti Nazi League, united to establish the Coventry Committee Against Racism (CCAR) in reaction to the violence. The events also motivated The Specials to arrange a charity concert within the city. Dr Nirmal Puwar, from Goldsmiths University in London, noted that Coventry, once a thriving city, had been “particularly hard” impacted by the economic downturn. She recounted that during her upbringing there, constant vigilance was necessary. She stated, “[Racism] affected the activities you did, the time of day you went out, who you went out with,” adding, “The hostility became part of your membrane.” She clarified that Asians were singled out as they represented otherness. Dr Puwar, co-author of the book Racist Tones, which chronicles accounts of racism from portions of the 1970s and 80s, recalled that football spectators were especially intimidating. She remembered, “Match day was almost a day when curfew would encircle the family and you had to make sure everyone was home, because there was such a lot of anger and violence.” Jitey Samra, a co-author whose family operated a business in Coventry’s Foleshill district, mentioned that she had “almost normalised” the racist occurrences she observed. A specific “terrifying” incident involved a driving instructor who uttered racist remarks during a lesson. She recounted, “I actually ran from the car, but it was the racism and the hate in the guy’s face that really frightened me.” She further described the city’s atmosphere after the racist killings as if “like a cloud” had settled. She elaborated, “You know when you have this horrible gut feeling and a feeling of fear for children as well.” Even though Golding utilized music with The Specials to disseminate anti-racism messages, he recounted personally enduring horrific racial violence. He suffered an assault in a park after intervening in a racist incident and was forced to flee for his “dear life” through the city centre, pursued by assailants. Additionally, in early 1982, he sustained a neck stabbing at a city centre nightclub, an event that left him traumatized. He stated that reflecting on the assault was “very painful, emotionally.” He clarified, “It took years to get over being in a club without having my back against the wall.” He added, “The stabbing and racial attacks – it lives on with those who’ve had to go through the trauma for years.” These experiences subsequently inspired Golding to compose The Specials’ song Why?, featured as the B-side to their renowned 1981 track Ghost Town. Following the attacks, the CCAR arranged a march for racial harmony in the city, which thousands of individuals joined. Mr Dixon, a participant, noted that the demonstration extended for a mile and drew groups from various parts of the nation. He recalled that upon departing from Edgwick Park in Foleshill, “it all got a bit tense” as marchers reached the city centre. He stated, “The National Front were waiting for us, and the police were attempting to keep us apart,” adding, “And there were justifiably angry young Asians, determined to show that they were not going to be too intimidated.” Contemporary reports indicate that numerous skinheads had formed a line along the route, performing Nazi-style salutes and chanting “Sieg Heil.” Upon the rally’s arrival at Cathedral Square, mounted police were deployed into the assembly, who responded by throwing rocks, sticks, and bottles. Eleven police officers sustained minor injuries, and 74 demonstrators were apprehended. The concert at the city’s Butts Park Stadium proved more tranquil, an event Golding expressed pride in participating in. Mr Dixon attended this and many other events in the vicinity. He recounted, “I remember seeing Tom Robinson, John Cooper Clarke, Stiff Little Fingers, all at Warwick University at a Rock Against Racism gig.” He also participated in the RAR march and concert held at Victoria Park in London during the same year, which an estimated 100,000 demonstrators joined. He remarked, “And now we’ve got to do it all again.” He noted that organizations such as RAR had, during the 1980s, “pushed racism into the background, so that it became unfashionable, it wasn’t cool.” He further commented, “And this is as much about allowing artists to take a position on it, and allow them to sing on behalf of something.” Ace Ambrose, a musician from Coventry, conveyed her enthusiasm for participating in the re-launch concert and emphasized the significance of musicians opposing racism. She stated, “It’s now become engrained that music is a universal language, it’s one of those things that binds us together regardless of what type of human being you are,” and added, “This event is to remind people of that.” Duke Keats, another artist scheduled to perform, commented that the movement additionally highlighted the city’s “diverse and rich” character. He expressed, “It’s absolutely incredible to think I have been born in a city with such a culture of cultures banding together.” “Everybody loves music and everybody deep down should hate racism.” The movement strengthens the existing culture, encompassing the 2 Tone era, and enables individuals to reflect and feel acknowledged. Golding affirmed, “I’m proud of what we did with The Specials, Fun Boy Three, Steel Pulse, Aswad – all of those bands who got out to support Rock Against Racism.” He then posed, “Is there something wrong with us because we want to deal in love and unity? I don’t think so”. The Love Music Hate Racism re-launch event will take place at LTB, Littern Tree Building Showrooms, 1 Warwick Road, Coventry, commencing at 17:00 GMT on Saturday 9 November. For updates, follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.