100 years of Anti-racism: a not-so-new rally in Europe

Authors legacies are not just their contributions to literature but also their enduring influence on how we understand the complexities of the human experience. Many lives, marked by war, success, and sometimes solitude, serve as a testament to the profound impact that personal experiences have on creativity and the ongoing quest for meaning in an often chaotic world. For example, J.D. Salinger, the enigmatic author of The Catcher in the Rye, remains one of the most compelling figures in American literature. His personal life, shrouded in mystery and marked by a deep aversion to the public eye, is as fascinating as the characters he created.

Time Magazine September 15 1961 Vol. 78 No. 11 Author J.D. Salinger

Salinger’s withdrawal from the public eye has often been interpreted as a desire to protect his privacy and maintain control over his work. However, it can also be seen as a continuation of his struggle to reconcile the traumatic experiences of his past with the expectations of the world around him. The man who emerged from World War II was profoundly changed, seeking solace in solitude and finding expression through his writing.

Drawing parallels to today, Salinger’s life and work offer a poignant reminder of the long-lasting effects of trauma and the importance of mental health. In a world that is increasingly interconnected and where the line between public and private life is often blurred, Salinger’s retreat into isolation highlights the need for space to process and heal. It is not far-fetched to argue that his -even during those early times after WWII - disdain for societal “phoniness” resonates in today’s era of social media, where the pressure to curate a perfect life can feel overwhelming.

So yes, literature and free education is vital for societal healing, especially for those colorful hopes that our? children (many of them as refugees everywhere) place in their New World.

But also for anyone else, they still constitute an indispensible tool for breaking down the barriers of fear and ignorance, and for building a more inclusive and harmonious society. Yet negative tendencies or race for technology do make more headlines than global social progress. But haven't we seen this before?

Following a week of violent disorder, including attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers and the looting of shops, London and many other cities in the UK like Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, even Glasgow  has witnessed a surge in street protests, reflecting the growing tension between rising ultra-right political movements and the broader societal fight for human rights, tolerance, and universal values.

As meanwhile the struggle to shape the world order remains heated, not only renown authors keep asking critical questions over and over again: Are We doomed? Or can we learn from the past to confront other-minded through universal solidarity, which we must pursue because it is the only way to avoid the peril?

The latest book of Amin Maalouf, the Lebanese author and Permanent Secretary of the French Academy, shows us how. “The Labyrinth of the Lost: The West and Its Enemies” is timely and surely an indispensable source as it examines the current manifestation of the struggle between the West and its opponents throughout history. Rich with historical and cultural references, it makes the reader delve into the complexities of human nature and the challenges of fostering respect, tolerance, and empathy in a world fraught with fear and egoism fuelled by perils of nationalism, militarism, and imperialism.

Maalouf, known for his deep understanding of the intersection between East and West, uses the protagonist's experiences to highlight how easy it is for individuals and societies to fall into the trap of blaming others for their problems. This inclination to cast blame is portrayed as a defense mechanism, a way to avoid confronting one's own shortcomings and the deeper issues within society.

While families are still mourning in Southport, where Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, asking those questions again and again shall never be enough.

The King family pictured in a photo released by Merseyside Police. Source BBC.

Looking at the unrest in the UK through the lens of the book, the message becomes clear: This wave of activism and unrest is not new. In fact it has been an ongoing battle within a framework rooted in a complex interplay of social, economic, and political factors. Yet recently they reached a level which has created such a polarized environment, challenging the nation's reputation for stability and inclusivity.

Sir Keir Starmer said he believed an increased police presence and fast-moving cases have had an impact, but his message was to stay on "high alert" to "make sure communities are safe and secure and feel safe and secure".

As discussed in debt in Many Many Beginnings, I believe that any extra tool at our disposal to help keep the public and its mental health safe beyond government action shall also focus on the human soul and spirit, especially of the children, and therefore must include the exploration of the intricate and often perilous journey of identity, belonging, and the human tendency to blame others for personal and societal failings.

When inequalities in education and levels of socioeconomic gap come into play, the blame culture becomes a labyrinth as we distance ourselves from universalism.

On the one hand it is true that the rise of ultra-right politicians in the UK mirrors unfortunately a broader global trend. In many countries populist and nationalist ideologies have gained traction. These movements often capitalize on fears surrounding immigration, economic uncertainty, and cultural change, presenting themselves as defenders of national identity and traditional values.

In the UK, public figures such as Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), and more recently, politicians within the Conservative Party, have played pivotal roles in mainstreaming right-wing narrative, particularly around issues such as Brexit, immigration, and law and order.

Give me one Brexit, I give you many unrests...

The heated social media use plus political shifts especially after the 2008 crisis, pandemics and Brexit have shaped an environment where xenophobic, racist, and intolerant attitudes are more openly expressed. Consequently, there has been a rise in hate crimes, as well as an increase in far-right demonstrations. Groups like the English Defence League (EDL) and Britain First have capitalized on this sentiment, organizing protests that often target minority communities, refugees, and asylum seekers.

One of the most significant moments in this ongoing struggle was the widespread protests in response to the murder of George Floyd in the United States in 2020, which sparked a global movement against racism and police brutality. In the UK, these protests, organized under the Black Lives Matter banner, brought tens of thousands of people to the streets, demanding justice for victims of racial violence and calling for systemic change to address inequality and discrimination.

These demonstrations have often been met with heavy-handed responses from law enforcement, reflecting the tense and sometimes confrontational nature of these encounters. The government's introduction of the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Bill in 2021, which sought to impose stricter controls on protests, further intensified the debate over civil liberties in the UK.

Critics argued that the bill was an attempt to stifle dissent and curtail the right to peaceful assembly, while proponents claimed it was necessary to maintain public order.

Despite these challenges, the movement for human rights and tolerance has remained resilient. Protests have continued, driven by a diverse coalition of activists committed to defending the values of equality, justice, and inclusivity.

The recent rise in protests is not just a reaction to the immediate threats posed by ultra-right politics but can also be interpreted as a proactive effort to shape the future of the UK as a more socioeconomically just and tolerant society. As the political landscape continues to evolve, these street protests serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing battle for the soul of the nation.

In such an attempt to train oneself into empathy and steer for healing, we cannot surely be credible enough avoiding mentioning and understanding the perils of the same patterns witnessed long time ago.

In 1932, the Academia di Roma hosted a pivotal lecture in Rome, Italy, that addressed the moral healing of Europe, a continent still reeling from the profound impact of World War I. This lecture was delivered in a similar period of extraordinary social, political, and economic upheaval, and it sought to explore the moral and ethical dimensions of Europe's recovery from the devastation of the war. The speaker was no other than Stephan Zweig, a bold  author about the ‘first' conscious European', and a prominent intellectual of the time, who called for a deep reflection on the values and principles that should guide Europe's future.

"This man is one of us. Why have we not known him before?" Stephan Zweig

The central themes of Zweig's lecture were the future of our children, education, and the long-term perspective. Its core was the concept of "moral healing" as an essential component of Europe's reconstruction. He argued that while the physical and economic rebuilding of Europe was critical, it was equally important to address the moral wounds inflicted by the war. The war had not only destroyed cities and economies but had also deeply scarred the collective conscience of Europe, leading to widespread disillusionment, cynicism, and a sense of moral crisis.

The lecture in Rome emphasized that the root causes of the war—such as nationalism, militarism, and imperialism—had eroded the moral foundations of European society. To prevent a recurrence of such a catastrophe, he called for a reexamination of the ethical principles that had guided European civilization. Zweig highlighted the need for a refurbished commitment to the values of human dignity, justice, and solidarity, which were seen as essential for the moral renewal of the continent.

A significant portion of the lecture was devoted to the role of ideology and education in moral healing. Zweig argued that Europe's moral decay had been accelerated by a decline in spiritual and ethical values, which had been replaced by a materialistic and utilitarian worldview. To counter this trend, he urged a revival of spiritual educational, and philosophical traditions that emphasized the inherent worth of every individual, the importance of community, and the need for ethical responsibility in both personal and public life - not only within a nation but among nations by a system of consensus.

He also addressed the role of political leadership in Europe's moral recovery. The lecture was critical of the emerging authoritarian regimes, particularly in Italy and Germany, which were seen as symptoms of the moral crisis rather than solutions to it. He warned that these regimes, with their emphasis on power and control, would only deepen Europe's moral wounds unless there was a concerted effort to promote ethical governance based on the principles of justice, democracy, and respect for human rights.

Zweig’s Erasmus was so to say his veiled attempt to address a ‘moment of collective madness.’ His appeal to common historical experience was in itself an expression of faith in the European collective, but he realized too, only too clearly, the hopelessness of such an appeal.

Fastforward 9 decades, Amin Maalouf highlights the same path for healing without putting clear lines. In his book, rich with historical and cultural references, 'Labyrinth' delves into the complexities of human nature and the challenges of fostering respect, tolerance, and empathy in a world fraught with fear and egoism.

'The Labyrinth of the Lost' by Amin Maalouf: "Humanity is going through one of the most dangerous periods in its history. In some respects, what is happening is unprecedented; but in others, it is a direct legacy of earlier conflicts that pitted the West against its adversaries. This book is about these confrontations of the distant and near past.

He, too, claims that we are caught in a twisted monster and explains that the notion that humanity must be led by a hegemonic power, a lesser evil that should not subjugate others, is misguided.

So Maalouf, no one deserves to occupy this position, not China, the US, Russia, India, England, Germany, France, or even a unified Europe. Any of these powers, without exception, would become arrogant, predatory, tyrannical, and despised if they found themselves capable of anything, regardless of the righteousness of their principles.

This is the great challange that our history has put on our shoulders, and accepting it would be the foundation for dropping this luggage - sooner or later - for more satisfactory outcomes because without a strong foundation in universal education that emphasizes critical thinking, cultural understanding, and empathy, societies are more likely to fall into the traps of blaming others and fostering even more divisions and fading hopes that millions of refugees has worldwide trustfully placed in our New World.