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Americans are worried that their agencies are institutionally unable to even conceive of white terrorism.
I’m concerned for them, but I’m also concerned for us.
And if I am, it’s because of my experience with PREVENT training.
I’m concerned for them, but I’m also concerned for us.
And if I am, it’s because of my experience with PREVENT training.
The last (and only) time I had PREVENT training was at a school in Southend-On-Sea, circa 2017. I have no idea how typical the experience is or whether the training looks different now.
All the new staff at the school were brought to the hall, where a projector was set up with a DVD player.
The PREVENT lead delivered a script during which, at intervals, she played segments from the DVD.
The PREVENT lead delivered a script during which, at intervals, she played segments from the DVD.
These video segments included interviews with police, victims and people who had been radicalised in the past and - now de-radicalised - could talk about their experiences to help others learn how to prevent others falling into the trap.
So far, so PREVENTative.
So far, so PREVENTative.
But here’s the problem.
The DVD was set up so that at each juncture, there was a choice between Islamic and far-right extremism.
I can only assume to lead’s script thereafter was subtly modulated to reflect the segment that had been played.
The DVD was set up so that at each juncture, there was a choice between Islamic and far-right extremism.
I can only assume to lead’s script thereafter was subtly modulated to reflect the segment that had been played.
At every such juncture, our lead chose Islamic extremism.
But why? Was she racist?
No. No she wasn’t. But neither was she a ‘PREVENT lead’.
That’s no insult to a valued colleague. It’s a fact. The title was nominal. And just another thing someone had to do. It just fell on her shoulders.
No. No she wasn’t. But neither was she a ‘PREVENT lead’.
That’s no insult to a valued colleague. It’s a fact. The title was nominal. And just another thing someone had to do. It just fell on her shoulders.
And not only did she have a script, but it was very likely the same script that had been read to her when she was ‘trained’ for this important civic duty.
And possibly the same that had been read to her trainer all the way up - however many rungs up to the agency responsible.
And possibly the same that had been read to her trainer all the way up - however many rungs up to the agency responsible.
Someone somewhere along the chain had gone full Islam-focused and every new sequence of links from that one on had just followed the lead.
There are multiple reasons for that.
First, it’s what everyone was concerned about at the time. We were still experiencing fever pitch about Islamic terrorism.
First, it’s what everyone was concerned about at the time. We were still experiencing fever pitch about Islamic terrorism.
Second, so much is already asked of schools. This was just another among so, so many. No time to question, review, relearn, develop the confidence to diverge, respond, adapt.
And putting those two things together - something flagged as an important priority but given little concordant time - what you end up is policy delivered as unerring script.
The result? My personal bugbear: unintended consequences. https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/the-impact-of-the-prevent-duty-on-schools-what-does-the-evidence-tell-us
The result? My personal bugbear: unintended consequences. https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/the-impact-of-the-prevent-duty-on-schools-what-does-the-evidence-tell-us
I wonder to myself: What’s the ratio of PREVENT sessions focused solely on Islamic extremism to those focused solely on far-right extremism?
Among those sessions that are mixed, what’s the ratio there?
Among those sessions that are mixed, what’s the ratio there?
But more worryingly, I wonder to myself how the hell I’m supposed to talk to someone I suspect of getting indoctrinated by the far right. Who do I turn to for help? I should have some idea. I have none.
Looking at this platform, neither does anyone else.
Looking at this platform, neither does anyone else.
And more worrying still, are we even able to recognise it as a potential threat? Those video segments were made. At least at some point balance was intended and planned for.
But if my experience is anything like standard, then it’s no wonder so few seem as concerned as I am.
But if my experience is anything like standard, then it’s no wonder so few seem as concerned as I am.
We look to Washington and we’re shocked, but our far right we’re brawling with police in the streets outside the Commons not so long ago.
And their cause célèbre is about to hit the skids.
(Were you shocked by the DC gallows?
) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-protests-london-riots-unrest-far-right-boris-johnson-no-deal-a9095161.html
And their cause célèbre is about to hit the skids.
(Were you shocked by the DC gallows?
) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-protests-london-riots-unrest-far-right-boris-johnson-no-deal-a9095161.html
Local authorities, schools, the health sector, prisons and probation, the police...
All of our key institutions have been trained to recognise and deal with extremism, but do any of the examples they’ve seen contain a white person?
All of our key institutions have been trained to recognise and deal with extremism, but do any of the examples they’ve seen contain a white person?
The problem isn’t that we can’t spot an extremist, white or non-white.
Of course we can.
But if we haven’t seen examples of white extremists being effectively challenged, eventually repenting from their violence, the do we even believe it’s possible?
Of course we can.
But if we haven’t seen examples of white extremists being effectively challenged, eventually repenting from their violence, the do we even believe it’s possible?
Or do we end up in the position US liberals end up in today - able only to repeat the mantra that ‘they are not us‘ and powerless to explain how they came to be and how to stop them from committing more acts of carnage?
But... Trump!
Well yeah. But just Trump? Just 4 years?
But... Trump!
Well yeah. But just Trump? Just 4 years?
Anyway, if you read along and were hoping for answers, I’m sorry to disappoint. All I’ve got is that we first need to accept we have a problem.
I don’t think we’re there yet.
Meanwhile it spreads.
I don’t think we’re there yet.
Meanwhile it spreads.
