As recent events across the UK have sparked widespread concern over racial tensions, Franstine Jones, former President of the National Black Police Association and Co-Director of Aspire Black Suffolk, was featured on BBC to share her thoughts on the unrest. Reflecting on the rise in right-wing violence and racial attacks, Franstine spoke passionately about the need to address the root causes of these tensions.
A Response to the Unrest
During the interview, Franstine expressed her disbelief and concern at the growing violence against Black and Brown communities across the country. She highlighted how tragic events, such as the deaths of three girls in Southport, have been exploited by far-right groups to fuel hate crimes and division.
Franstine remarked, "I never thought in my lifetime that I would see the likes of what's been shown on TV the last few days... It was quite disturbing and quite frightening actually. It did make you start to wonder, you know, how safe am I going to be? How safe are my family going to be?"
Her reflections captured the fear and uncertainty that many Black and Brown individuals are experiencing in light of the riots and attacks, and she urged the public to consider the real harm being done by right-wing groups who are using immigration and asylum as scapegoats.
The Legacy of Political Division
Franstine went on to connect the current tensions to the broader political context, tracing back to the 2016 Brexit referendum. She criticised the way immigration was used as a political tool, fueling division and hatred. According to Franstine, "Everything leading up to Brexit... it built and built and built until the previous government that's just been ousted. Thank God."
She argued that this environment of division was cultivated over time and has continued to manifest in violence and unrest. The responsibility, she suggested, lies not just with current leaders but with the legacy of past political decisions.
Tackling the Root Causes
When asked about what needs to happen moving forward, Franstine was clear that it is essential to address the root causes of these tensions—namely, access to services, economic instability, and the cost of living. She emphasised that these challenges are often used as excuses to blame minority groups for the country's struggles.
"The country needs to actually look at what the actual reasons are for causing people to be struggling," Franstine stated. "Talk about immigration if you need to, but don't blame people for the reason why the country is in the state that it's in."
A Call for Long-Term Solutions
Franstine's call to action is clear: the root causes of division must be addressed with real solutions rather than scapegoating and blaming minority communities. As the UK moves forward, the importance of addressing these systemic issues becomes ever more urgent.
At Aspire Black Suffolk, we are committed to tackling these challenges head-on by promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of society. If you're passionate about supporting this mission or want to learn more, please reach out to us here.
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