Christopher Eccleston is absolutely right that the Anti-Nazi League “changed lives and minds” (Letters, 17 August), and one of the ways it did it was through those familiar yellow, red and black lapel badges, along with those of Rock Against Racism. I was working in BBC Education in the late 1970s and early 80s, and it was remarkable to see the mushroom spread of ANL badges and many others among BBC staff at that time, mainly among younger producers and directors.
The use of badges with amusing slogans, such as “Gay Whales Against Racism”, promoted radical and “subversive” ideas in ways that were hard for senior management to object to. How could our bosses speak up in favour of racism? These badges thus helped effect an enormous cultural shift, especially in relation to feminism, which was popularised through badges such as the immortal “Don’t Do It Di” badge at the time of the royal wedding in 1981, which was worn by both men and women.
Giles Oakley
East Sheen, London
• The problem with fighting racism (Anti-Nazi League calls for national campaign to fight racism, 16 August) is that it’s like fighting cancer. It sounds good, but perhaps fighting is not what’s needed. Research suggests that racism is a modern twist on an ancient, now redundant, anti-stranger instinct (evolved to avoid transmittable disease). We can choose to live above that instinct – but it can be provoked in the less aware by social circumstances. Imposed postwar Commonwealth immigration disturbed the host population, but was largely accepted. Imposed EU free-movement immigration stirred the pot. The referendum was the first consultation, in effect, on mass immigration. The result unleashed racism. The far right tries to benefit, but has little support in the UK. Rather than “fighting” this, might it not be best to acknowledge it, and address the provocation?
Chris Hughes
Leicester
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