‘I’m fighting for equality and diversity’
RIGHT-WING COMMENTATOR HITS BACK AT ‘PATRONISING RACISTS’
A RIGHT-WING political commentator from Mansfield has spoken out about racism he has experienced from people with differing political views after appearing on a BBC debate show.
Calvin Robinson, a former teacher who grew up in the town, says he has been described as a “Bounty” or a “coconut”, often by people with BAME heritage, over his views on race.
The slur describes a black person who, as he describes it, is “brown on the outside but white on the inside”.
The insult, which is also accompanied by various other slurs against his ethnicity, came after he appeared on the BBC show The Big Question, discussing race and identity, earlier this month.
On the programme, he spoke about how he feels the country has made progress on some race issues but noted that there was still a lot of work to do.
And he was also vocal about how he refuses to believe suggestions that the colour of his skin means he is “automatically a victim of white oppression”.
His opinions have led to backlash from left-leaning activists and charities, with one tweeting that someone should “deal with” him.
However, Mr Robinson hit out at what he describes as “self-righteous” people who speak out against racism, but feel it is “fair game” to use racial slurs against him.
And he says the racism is a “common occurrence”, with people allegedly justifying their slurs against him because of his political views.
He said: “These racists are so emboldened now, in that they are so self-righteous and because they think they’re the ‘good guys,’ hurling abuse at people they perceive to be the ‘bad guys.’
“Apparently me having rightwing views makes me a bad guy, and therefore I’m fair game.
“I don’t think people like that realise the hypocrisy and double standards from that.”
Other slurs used against Mr Robinson include “race traitor”, and “puppet” and he believes it stems from out of control “identity politics”.
“There’s this assumption that having right-wing views means I must somehow be being controlled or manipulated by someone else because I couldn’t possibly hold these views myself, being brown,” he adds.
“It’s so patronising.
“It stems from identity politics and this divisive idea that people belong in sub-groups based on their immutable characteristics.
“Me being black, I apparently have to identify as black first and foremost and that is the core of my identity, according to them.
“Therefore we all have to think the same, vote the same, talk the same and it’s just not true.
“I’m fighting for equality and diversity, and I think everyone is their own individual, should be treated equally and have the right to voice their different opinions.”
Mr Robinson, who attended High Oakham Primary School, The Brunts Academy and West Nottinghamshire College before moving to London, adds that he has privilege in being able to speak out on these issues.
He says it allows him, as a person of colour, to be able to speak out without automatically being branded a racist.
But he does think there is “real racism” in the country which should be tackled – discrimination he has experienced first-hand.
“In Mansfield I think we were one of the black families in town and I experienced genuine racism growing up,” he said.
“This was quite often, which is why it frustrates me these days when people say ‘this is racist, that’s racist,’ and, while they’re welcome to their experiences, I don’t think things always are racist.
“I think people look for it everywhere and they see it where it doesn’t exist.
“Real racism does exist in this country and it needs to be worked on, but looking for racism when it isn’t there is counterproductive and it puts people off the fight.”
Mr Robinson recently wrote about his views in a column for Mailonline, leading to praise from local leaders including Ashfield MP Lee Anderson who described him as a “local lad done good”. Mr Anderson added: “The overwhelming vast majority of this country do not give a toss about the colour of someones skin, their race, background, religion or how they speak.
“Yet a tiny minority, usually on the hard left, seem to promote division to justify their existence.”
(They say) we all have to think the same, vote the same, talk the same and it’s just not true Calvin Robinson