Stand Up Against Racism
For a few years now, I have watched in horror the rise of the far right: the normalisation of racist ideas, the return of so-called traditional values—patriotism, the nuclear family—values that would make old-school fascists like Pétain or Mussolini proud.
With even greater horror, I’ve seen these fascist forces infiltrate every part of society, including the so-called Terf movement. I’ve watched the normalisation of figures like Tommy Robinson—“he’s not really racist, let’s support his demos”—as if this was anything other than fascism dressed up as patriotism.
The scapegoating and harassment of poor people—mainly Black and Brown people fleeing war and persecution, arriving by boat—has been repackaged as nothing more than “love for our country.” This “love” is carried out by violent thugs with convictions for domestic abuse and links to racist organisations. And it has consequences for women and girls, particularly for black, minoritised and migrant women and girls.
The weaponising of feminist arguments against violence against women and girls to promote a racist agenda is sickening. Rapists come in every skin colour and from every background. Promoting the lie that only Black men offend is nothing more than a way to shield white offenders. It gives white men a free pass. It encourages women to view white men as harmless, as protectors—when we know that women are primarily attacked by men they know. Men from their own intimate circles, who are overwhelmingly of the same origin, social, and ethnic background as themselves. Comparatively, white men offend more than Black men.
So I ask you: who exactly do you protect with your flag?
And I am equally sickened to see former Terf colleagues—people I once collaborated with—now gleefully cashing in on hatred by selling the flag.
Your flag, the one you are so proud of, is not a neutral symbol. To the rest of the world, it stands for colonialism and imperialism. It is the flag used to bully, harass, and terrorise refugees—people seeking safety because they are persecuted in their own countries. It is the flag of hatred, division, and racism. There is no other honest way to see it.
But of course—denying racism and waving an imperialist flag is so punk! The anti-woke brigade has been busy hiding their racism behind “free speech absolutism” for years, when really what they missed most was the ability to hurl racist insults at anyone they didn’t like. That freedom is now being re-established in the US, where Trump—supported by so many famous British Terfs—has been wrecking women’s rights, dismantling anti-discrimination laws, deporting and kidnapping migrants, and generally dismantling democracy. I hope you’re happy with your man.
And if Elon Musk agrees with you, then truly, that says it all.
We’ve reached the point where harassing refugees is no longer “hatred,” where a Nazi salute is dismissed as “not really” a Nazi salute. The circle is complete.
This shop is run by a white migrant, the granddaughter of migrants—some of whom fled Franco’s fascist Spain because they were anarchists. The other side of my family is Armenian. You know what happened to the Armenians?
I know what diaspora means. I know what it feels like to be unwelcome in a country. I know the meaning of the word “genocide. I know discrimination because of a name, a face, an accent. I know xenophobia—mine and my family’s stories are my reference point.
And I will never, ever bow down to fascism.
Art is my main and most immediate form of expression, and I create best when I am enraged. Here is my latest piece: Stand Up Against Racism. I miss the days when racists were shamed for their hatred. Racism is despicable. I want nothing to do with it.
Many customers and followers fled when I made it clear I wasn’t right-wing. Good riddance. Truly sorry you didn’t notice I was a feminist—it’s not as if I’ve kept it a secret. And yes, feminism is utterly incompatible with right-wing and far-right ideas. Because those ideas are built on the belief that some people are innately better and worthier than others. They insist that inequality is not only natural but desirable. And the entire right-wing agenda is about keeping those inequalities intact.
I’m sure this will be enough to clear out whatever racist, far-right apologists and flag-wavers remain among my followers.
To the rest of you—those who stand for justice, equality, and dignity—welcome. ♥ You are my people, my community, and my reason to keep creating. Let’s keep fighting, let’s keep standing up against racism, and let’s make sure fascism never wins.
👉 I encourage all of you who agree to sign this open letter:
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/e8071ba8ff4cd376d0b94b0246ff83acb7b117df