Each year in Bristol there are around 1600 incidents of hate crime. That is; crime motivated by prejudice towards an aspect of someone’s identity on the grounds of disability, race, religion, sexuality or gender identity. Those 1600 are only the incidents that get reported, how many more actually take place we’ll never know but it’s probably safe to assume many more go unreported than reported.
We still live in a world where some people fear and hate difference (usually it has to be said those people least exposed to or living it). In a world where fear and hatred turn so easily into clenched fists and violence it’s important that those of us who aren’t scared of difference, who don’t presume to know or judge the experience and lives of others, stand together. And say we stand together.
OTR doesn’t exist solely to provide services to be consumed; our whole charitable movement is to mobilise young people to seek social justice in the name of making the world a better place to grow up and live for this and future generations. And if making the world a fairer, kinder and more accepting place isn’t about mental health then I don’t know what is. Because when people say ‘poor mental health’ doesn’t discriminate, they are denying the fact that actually, it really does. People from minorities are exposed to both a structural and a personal assault on their identities by our society and the way it’s organised. And in that basic injustice are the seeds of anxiety, depression, lack of self worth, anger and so on. I would argue these feelings are the healthy, humane response to injustice – not a sign of weakness.
OTR is a big family filled with people signed up to and working towards the same basic vision; a world that is accepting, compassionate and more equal. So I was angry and dismayed to hear violence of this hate filled kind was inflicted on ‘one of us’ recently. The very great Dr King once said “let no man pull you low enough to hate him” – and in that simple sentiment is an important truth I think. Because ours is a movement where our individual and collective anger at injustice (however justified!) must not equally turn to feelings of hatred for others. We must be angry together, on behalf of each other, in solidarity and common cause. I have written this simply to say that OTR does not accept or tolerate violence and hatred towards anyone who is a part of the OTR family. And for those of you unfortunate enough to experience such hatred first hand in the past, now, or in the future – please know that I and the whole organisation stands with you, and is ready to offer whatever to takes to support you and to pursue justice; both personally and through our wider work for a better world than this one.
Dr Simon Newitt
Chief Executive
Off the Record (Bristol)