Woolwich murder: This ‘Bloody Hell’ won’t divide us!

The barbaric image of a blood dripping sadistic killer who is both Black and Muslim is beamed around the world this morning. For some, white society’s worst nightmare. The simplistic imagery couldn’t be worse for the Black and Muslim community. The atrocity is truly shocking, the unbearable pain for the victim’s family, friends and colleagues. To call this man a Muslim is an insult to the religion of Islam. Sadly, he and his murderous accomplice proclaimed the heinous crime in the name of Islam.

What happens now? A nation is angry: the Prime Minister and the security forces will see if the murderous are part of the wider group of extremist cells or are ‘lone wolves’. The radio station callers want action; the electric chair or the hang man’s noose for the perpetrators; the right wing fascist, racist and bigots will seize the moment to divide a nation. Black against white, Muslim against Christian, something, incidentally which the killers wanted to.

When the dust and initial outrage begin to settle mainstream political parties, particularly UKIP will be banging on the immigration drum louder than ever.

The Black and Muslim Communities must be resolute in both our condemnation of this murderous act, but also be clearly focused on the agenda of confronting and tackling race and social inequality. In part, if politicians want to help ensure we never have these types of atrocities again we must ask the question what is the journey of young Caribbean and African Christians who turn to radicals and in this case violent Muslims. In the recent past, this conversation has only manifested itself into gang warfare with the infamous: 'The Brixton Boys' or the 'SMS crew'. Now it’s different; they are not killing each other, but rather a cold-blooded executions of a British soldier.

There have been many such as Lee Jasper, who has long since talked about the chronic alienation of these young men who are susceptible to the ideologues of hate. Now we’ll be forced to confront it, but let’s hope in a thoughtful measured way, not the salivating 'sledge hammer to crack a nut' panic that can be heard on our airwaves or on the blogosphere.

Much like the aftermath of the 2011 August riots, the Black community must brace itself for the onslaught which will surely follow.

Let’s pray for the young victim’s family and keep strong and not the extremists divide us.

Simon Woolley