We all know the adage that history is written by the victors. But it’s equally true that today’s reality is written by those with privilege.
This week, British prime minister David Cameron demonstrated exactly how, from his position of power and privilege, he simply does not see the reality of life for those who are not such beneficiaries, such as Muslims and other minorities, when he delivered a speech laying the foundations for an updated anti-extremism strategy.
Mr Cameron – understandably for a national leader – paints a picture of a society that is open, warm, welcoming and meritocratic, where diversity helps minorities and where we bask in the glow of talent. But this is an aspirational picture of a nation, not an actual reality for most. It is conjured up from his vantage point, and the limited spectrum of voices he chooses to listen to. His portrayal creates a false starting point, and means the very listeners he is attempting to reach simply switch off, hearing nothing of their own reality in the picture he conjures up.
He said: “We have built something extraordinary in Britain – a successful multiracial, multi-faith democracy.” Except that the experience of young black people is of disproportionate scrutiny by police and higher levels of incarceration. We see Muslims who attempt to enter the political system accused of entryism. We see a rise in anti-Semitic attacks, side by side with growing physical assaults on Muslims.
He says Britain is "open, diverse, welcoming". But for those on the receiving end of constant negative media and political hostility this is not how it feels; not when high-profile figures openly say that life should be made harder for Muslims in the UK, and a leading newspaper, The Sun, publishes an article that calls immigrants "cockroaches".
Mr Cameron adds: “It is here in Britain where in one or two generations people can come with nothing and rise as high as their talent allows.” But the British Cabinet is made up of people who came from the same school and university background, and social mobility is at an all-time low.
Part of the challenge is that mainstream publications don’t tell these stories. I looked at contemporary autobiographies of British Muslims, and there are few that stand outside the “reformed extremist” or “escaped-from-Islam” genres. Many good writers and influencers I spoke to said that they had written texts that had been rejected by publishers.
Getting stories into the mainstream serves to give those who do not see their reality in descriptions made by leaders a reflection of themselves in society. This brings a sense of inclusion and a stake in society.
We need better, more realistic stories in the mainstream, stories that reflect a range of experiences and allow the protagonists to voice their reality. Instead, the stories we hear are those from limited perspectives. Far too common are “how I became an extremist and then changed my mind” or “how I left Islam and became free” or “I wasn’t held back by my race so what is everyone else complaining about?”
Of course we must be visionary. But we must have a realistic assessment of what young people, alienated people, those whom we seek to include and change, actually experience.
Shelina Zahra Janmohamed is the author of Love in a Headscarf and blogs at www.spirit21.co.uk
