An inconspicuous sentence you might say born out of a left wing response to hard line and often down right barmy radical right wing politics. However as is often seen in the cases of public outcry the response is so extreme it legitimises the position that becomes the less extreme option. The result--lending legitimacy to the opinions you sought to fight. Here's how.
Remember Mark Duggan? The name may ring a bell he was the Black gangster shot by armed police back in 2011. His gang affiliated friend Jermaine Baker recently met a similar fate. While some remember the man--I'm sure most of us remember the aftermath. Nothing shows discontent with the judicial system or the racism that the demonstrators felt inherent in the system than open rioting and destruction of normal people's property. By doing this suddenly people who were wondering if there was any cause for concern with policing in the UK suddenly realised they would need to rely on the police to handle the depraved mob of maniacs now on London streets. Mission accomplished. Not even a propaganda campaign could turn things round that quick.
Take another example where a Jewish professor is confronted by a Muslim student.(1) Whatever argument she thought she had about the Professors link between Muslim societies and Jihad Terrorist Networks (which is a fair point to make at length in discussion); quickly became obsolete when she openly admitted supporting the view that "[she] hope that...[Jews] will gather in Israel to avoid having to hunt them down". So arguing with a highly intelligent Jewish man with the stance that all Jews must be killed. Who do you think won that debate. The professor barely had to say anything as the woman radicalised her own opinions beyond any sensible structure.
If Donald Trump came to the UK with no resistance and was met with the usual calm disdain Britain has for the radical he would be laughed out of any position of influence very quickly. What if we instead replied in kind by banning or protesting or even worse rioting and attempts to attack him. The community would suddenly be justifying Donald Trump's policies and legitimise his campaign.
You want Donald Trump to go away? Don't pander to reactive opinionated activism. Stay objective--would you attack a clown that got into parliament? (Provided you noticed amongst the camouflage)
Take a moment to remember the greatest political figure of the last century--Gandhi. Then take a deep breath. I'm sick of people lending legitimacy to unpalatable ideas.
~Fraser
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yGN8SlIEZ8
