As a half Dutch, half Algerian, my experience has been almost identical. Oh, and just with one parent from another part of the world, I am called "second generation immigrant" as well.
The Dutch even have a word for people like me: "allochtoon" - which literally means "introduced from a different environment, habitat, or geographical area."
I tried to emigrate to the Netherlands post Brexit (but before the laws changed) to escape this bigoted racist country (also due to the sweeping illegalisation of protest taking place) and was quickly disillutioned to find it just as racist and bigoted. To quote Sven Lindquist's 'Exterminate All the Brutes': "The idea of extermination lies no farther from the heart of humanism than Buchenwald lies from the Goethehaus in Wiemar."
This daytime, transmitted genocide that I can watch and almost touch has changed everything for me. The evil on show is too much. The arrogance, the daring. The ease with which my neighbours and friends don’t mention it. The WhatsApp groups are as silent as churches and occasionally you get support from outside via my number - I thank them but ask them to put it on the group. And now they’ve flown their jackals into Cote D’Voire for an attack on Ibrahim Traore’s Burkina Faso.
Your piece powerfully deconstructs the myth of British benevolence and exposes the harsh realities of colonialism and modern-day policies. It's a stark reminder that nationalism often masks deeper injustices.
Wow, strong stuff , truths that need to be heard 🙏
As a half Dutch, half Algerian, my experience has been almost identical. Oh, and just with one parent from another part of the world, I am called "second generation immigrant" as well.
The Dutch even have a word for people like me: "allochtoon" - which literally means "introduced from a different environment, habitat, or geographical area."
I tried to emigrate to the Netherlands post Brexit (but before the laws changed) to escape this bigoted racist country (also due to the sweeping illegalisation of protest taking place) and was quickly disillutioned to find it just as racist and bigoted. To quote Sven Lindquist's 'Exterminate All the Brutes': "The idea of extermination lies no farther from the heart of humanism than Buchenwald lies from the Goethehaus in Wiemar."
Karim, am I able to message you? Or could you send me a message and I'll reply? Really loved this piece: https://bettbeat.substack.com/p/only-total-collapse-will-rouse-humanity
Sure, pm me
The whole western world is like this, Aya. How can we not see through the eyes of genocide?
Yes, it's a totally depraved shit hole.
Powerful, astute.
This daytime, transmitted genocide that I can watch and almost touch has changed everything for me. The evil on show is too much. The arrogance, the daring. The ease with which my neighbours and friends don’t mention it. The WhatsApp groups are as silent as churches and occasionally you get support from outside via my number - I thank them but ask them to put it on the group. And now they’ve flown their jackals into Cote D’Voire for an attack on Ibrahim Traore’s Burkina Faso.
Your piece powerfully deconstructs the myth of British benevolence and exposes the harsh realities of colonialism and modern-day policies. It's a stark reminder that nationalism often masks deeper injustices.