Why we need to take the politics out of racism – and how to do it

Let's be honest: racism has been hijacked.

What should be straightforward conversations about human dignity and fairness have been dragged into the political arena — weaponised by campaigns, amplified by online rhetoric, and turned into a culture war battleground. The result? People are afraid to name it, challenge it, or even talk about it in any meaningful way.

And that's a problem — especially if you're trying to build cohesive teams, inclusive communities, or trustworthy stakeholder and community relationships.

Racist language and ideas have been repackaged as 'just asking questions' or 'protecting our culture' to avoid accountability, while doing enormous damage.

We saw this during the riots that swept across England in the summer of 2024. And in other numerous historic incidents. And here we are — again.

Misinformation spreads at speed, communities of colour are targetted, mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers are attacked. People — including those who were born and grew up here —are afraid to leave their homes. I'm looking over my shoulder more often these days despite living in a relatively safe town.

Years of community relationship-building are being destroyed. That's not politics. That's the direct, violent consequence of unchecked racist rhetoric finding a willing, loud audience.

The damage doesn't stop at physical violence.

When racist narratives go mainstream (it's not just name calling — it's also insidious and indirect, and often makes its way into headlines) — when they're repeated by politicians, platformed by media outlets, and shared millions of times on social media — they normalise harm.

What concerns me is seeing the U-turn by many influencers, who during BLM in 2020, couldn't wait to be anti-racist.

They tell people from racialised communities that they don't fully belong. They make workplaces, educational and healthcare settings and public spaces feel hostile and unsafe.

They erode the trust that organisations spend years trying to build with culturally diverse communities. The long-term psychological toll — on individuals, families, and whole communities — is well-documented and devastating.

Here's what I know from my work in communications and culturally inclusive engagement: when racism becomes 'politics', real conversations shut down. People disengage. Bridges are burnt. And the people most affected by racism are left to carry the weight of it alone, again.

Racism is a behaviour often rooted in vulnerability, poverty and fear. Treating it as a matter of 'political debate' gives it a legitimacy it doesn't deserve, and allows those who perpetuate it off the hook.

So what can we actually do about it?

How to call it out — practically and safely

You don't have to be confrontational to be effective. In fact, the quieter, calmer approaches tend to land better — and protect you in the process.

Focus on the behaviour, not the person. Say "that comment was harmful because…" rather than "you're racist". It keeps the door open for learning rather than triggering defensiveness.

Use questions. "What did you mean by that?" invites reflection without accusation. People often haven't thought through what they've said.

Pick your moment. A one-to-one conversation after the fact is often safer and more productive than a public challenge — particularly in professional settings.

Know your limits. You're not obligated to educate everyone, every time. Protecting your own wellbeing matters, and walk away if you're not feeling strong enough.

When we strip racism back to what it actually is — am absolute cruelty and a barrier to building healthy communities — we can start having the conversations that move communities and organisations forward.

That's where the real work happens. Contact me to explore how you can tackle culturally diverse conversations: hello@elmaglasgowconsulting.com.