Events with diversity, be they ethnic, cultural, or life choices, must be welcomed, encouraged and viewed positively as assets offering variety in our local calendar of activities. Rather I find many social media posts promoting such hijacked by a vocal minority hoping to spread their hatred and prejudices to the easily influenced. Don’t jump on bandwagons, you are not sheep. Besides, it makes you look like a Muppet, and a very misinformed one at that….
It is, quite frankly, shameful and embarrassing. Find this plentiful during Pride month, but aside this, I’m also shocked to scroll through hoards of disgraceful comments on a post advertising a free African Festival, ardently welcoming “everyone,” to be held in Swindon on the 5th July.
I held my tongue, concerned any appeal might backfire, and attract more objectifying, but I trust our readers have compassion and understanding. And since the same thing happened again last week, this time for a Refugee Festival at Fairfield House in Bath, happening this Sunday, 15th June, something must be said outside the confines of those groups affected, and I’m going to; deal with it if you’re one to post such offensive dribble.
Deal with the reality you’ve either absolutely no idea or care to know the historical and religious implications of Fairfield House, and while any number of events they hold there are possibilities for your vile attacks, you’ve simply been triggered by the word ‘refugee’ on this particular occasion. To illustrate this and prove your selfishness, let’s backtrack the narrative to build a summarised timeline, please try to digest it and reflect. I don’t write emoji.
Before we embark on our brief history field trip, note this isn’t anything to do with opinions on the current immigration system, as we’d be opening an unnecessary Pandora’s box. Though it’s worthy noting the same politicians who convinced enough of the public to vote for the financial suicide we call Brexit, are the same ones convincing you it’s immigration causing the problem; coincidental? Hummm…..
While gammons chew on that fat, for the more awake, let’s go back seven-hundred years, when tyrannical European slave ships began packing African captives on board like cargo, of which Britain was a major player. Oh, and the consequent 400 years this industry infested into the Atlantic slave trade, profiting on repression and persecution, resulting in millions of deaths, the redistribution of the African population, and forevermore confining a majority to poverty and subjects for institutionalised racism, so Europeans could sprimkle sugar on their acquired wealth.
Or maybe just eighty years ago, when racist fascist forces caused a world war, where De Bono’s Italian invasion of Ethiopia drove Emperor Haile Selassie into exile, settling at Fairfield House in Bath, for that’s the historic significance of the festival’s venue many gathered to unfairly criticise and condemn on social media this week. It’s also relevant to add at this point, descendants of the Africans unwilfully redistributed throughout the Caribbean and with no education of their origin began to look to Haile Selassie as a deity, after prophecies from scholars like Marcus Garvey advocated, and the religion of Rastafari developed, hence Fairfield House’s religious significance too.
Let’s go back post war, seventy-seven years ago, when the British government encouraged mass immigration, inviting Afro-Caribbean folk to fill shortages in the post-war labour market. Or trek a few decades back, when they were living under hostile conditions due to the country’s financial downturn, in which the National Front waged war and police did little to prevent it; use the New Cross house fire as an example, and consider by the very nature of these online taunts, if we’ve ever really progressed nearly enough on racial equality since.
Or let’s just go back just seven years, when the Home Office either detained, denied legal rights, or threatened deportation to British subjects of Caribbean origin, the very people they invited here, the Windrush generation. They even wrongly deported many, had their passports confiscated and were refused re-entry to the UK, or were denied benefits or medical care.
Let’s calculate all these misjustices despite there being many more we’ve not mentioned and from many other nationalities and races, roll them into one fat conclusion, and tell me again; you want to deny folk from such backgrounds from organising a community event open to all, least sound your grievances against it because you’re powerless to prevent it?!
Really?! Pathetic, and, not to mention, totally unjustified. Collect the toys you’ve thrown from your pram and try your best to think, just for a second, for even if you’ve not considered everything I’ve said, and still don’t like it, no one is forcing you to go! It makes absolutely no difference to your life if they do or do not host an event. Have you ever heard the idiom live and let live?!
Here at Devizine we will gladly mention those events, respectfully.
The first Bath Refugee Festival is Sunday 15th June from 12pm – 7pm at Fairford House, 2 Kelston Road, Bath BA1 3QJ. The event is organised by Bristol-based Sudafest, which showcases the vibrant essence of Sudanese cultures and arts, forging connections with diverse communities worldwide. Through dynamic events, they bridge gaps, promote understanding and ignite a profound sense of global unity.
The Bath Refugee Festival is an initiative celebrating the contributions, cultures, and voices of refugees and migrants in Bath. Taking place in June, the festival will align with this year’s national Refugee Week theme: Community as a Superpower, featuring a diverse programme of events, performances, and discussions. Tickets are £15 with concessions, from HERE.
There are many other events at Fairford House, including tours, Rastafari Monthly Sabbath Observance, and The 133rd Birthday Celebrations of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I on Saturday 19th July and Wednesday 23rd July. See HERE.
The African Festival is a vibrant day full of colour, rhythm, and culture on Saturday, 5th July 2025 at St Marks Recreation Ground, Whitehouse Road, Swindon. SN2 1DB, from 1 PM to 8 PM. It is FREE and everyone is welcome, everyone!
Expect: Spectacular Acrobatic Dancers, Live Reggae, Calypso, and Afrobeats Music, African Festive Dancers, Traditional Storytelling, Fun Children’s Rides, and A Taste of Africa with a variety of mouth-watering cuisines. The African Festival asks you to bring friends and family, to celebrate the rich culture and joyful spirit of Africa in Swindon. Find more info HERE.
To me, this sounds fabulous. This is an opinion piece, I reserve the right to express it, if you disagree that’s your prerogative, but I cannot and will not entertain negative comments which incite prejudices, because we believe, and always will believe, in One Love.
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