Chatter #334 – Dr Rakib Ehsan: What The Left Gets Wrong About Ethnic Minorities

Dr. Rakib Ehsan’s book “Beyond Grievance: What the Left Gets Wrong About Ethnic Minorities” highlights the growing tensions between the liberal cosmopolitanism of the British political Left and the patriotic faith-based conservatism that runs deep in many of Britain’s ethnic-minority communities. Ehsan argues that Britain needs a robust civic patriotism that understands that a stable family unit is the finest form of social security known to humankind, and a cultural arrangement that appreciates that faith is a vital source of strength and optimism across a diversity of communities.

The book highlights how the Left is complacent in assuming they can depend upon a traditional support base among ethnic minorities. With American-style racial identity politics taking root in the UK, the book also argues that many liberal-leftists are disregarding the attachments to the traditional triad of faith, family and flag in historically Labour-voting, ethnic-minority communities. Dr. Ehsan discussed the ideas underpinning his book, including his personal experience growing up in Luton and the Left’s lack of representation for traditionalist views of ethnic minority families.

Tweets by rakibehsan