As a Black parent raising children in the UK, the recent surge in far-right riots has struck a deep, painful chord. The fear and anxiety I feel don’t just rest with my own family—they extend to every black child growing up in this environment of rising hostility and division. The societal shifts we’re witnessing today speak to a deeper erosion of the values of decency, equality, and humanity that many of us strive to instill in our children.
What makes this all the more heartbreaking is how extremist narratives have hijacked the conversation around these riots, overshadowing the real tragedy: the loss of innocent lives – Southport stabbings. The focus should be on grieving families and communities, yet it has shifted to those using these tragedies to stoke hatred and divisiveness. It’s as if the actual pain of these families is being erased, drowned out by political agendas that prioritise fear-mongering over empathy and justice. This is a disservice not just to those who have been lost but to all our children who are left to grow up in the aftermath of this fractured society.
For black children in the UK, these riots and the media’s portrayal of them create an even more challenging world to navigate. From an early age, many black children are confronted with the harsh realities of how they are perceived in society—through the lens of suspicion, negativity, and bias. These riots amplify that narrative, reinforcing harmful stereotypes that can affect their self-worth and their view of their place in the world.
The role of the media in all of this cannot be understated. Major outlets like BBC, Sky News, and the Daily Mail have frequently been guilty of presenting these events in ways that fuel division. Sensationalised and often one-sided reporting has painted black and brown people in a dangerous light, overshadowing their humanity with fear-based narratives. When the media consistently portrays people of colour as threats or outsiders, it creates an environment where young black children question their value and feel marginalised in a country they call home.
As black parents, we are often forced to have conversations with our children that white parents rarely have to consider. We explain why they may be treated differently at school, why certain media portrayals do not reflect who they are, and why they may face challenges simply because of the colour of their skin. These far-right riots, and the discourse around them, only make these conversations more urgent, as we work to shield our children from the psychological toll of growing up in an increasingly hostile environment.
But this is not a task for black families alone. The burden of dismantling racism cannot rest solely on those who suffer from its effects. To our white allies in the UK, the time has come for more than just solidarity in words. Being an ally to black communities, particularly now, means taking concrete steps to challenge the structures and attitudes that allow these kinds of riots to happen in the first place. It means actively speaking out against injustice in your homes, your workplaces, and your social circles. Silence in moments like these is not neutrality—it’s complicity.
For the media, the challenge is even greater. You wield immense power in shaping public perception, and with that power comes responsibility. Balanced reporting is not just an ethical obligation; it is essential for a fair and just society. We need more diverse newsrooms that reflect the range of voices in the UK, especially when those voices are so often silenced. Positive stories from minority communities deserve just as much attention as negative ones, and the language used in your reporting should reflect the humanity of all people, not just those who fit the majority narrative.
The fight for justice and equality, especially for our children, requires everyone’s participation. Black children in the UK should not have to grow up in a country where they are seen as outsiders or threats. They deserve to be seen, valued, and given the space to thrive in a society that truly honors diversity. As parents, we want to raise our children with the belief that their future will be better than our past—but that can only happen if we all take responsibility for making real, lasting change.
To all who read this, let this be a call to action. The future we are building right now will determine whether black children grow up in a world defined by equality and opportunity, or one overshadowed by prejudice and fear. It’s time for each of us to step up, to be more than bystanders, and to work actively toward a fairer and more inclusive society.
For black children in the UK, and for every child, the time for change is now. Let our actions, not just our words, reflect the world we want to build—a world where our children are free to live, thrive, and dream without the weight of discrimination on their shoulders. The future depends on what we do today. Let’s make it count.
