I endured an English public school. But that’s not the only reason I’m unsurprised about the Farage allegations | Musa Okwonga
In a recent examination of Nigel Farage’s character and the allegations of racism stemming from his schooldays, the article delves into the broader implications of his actions and persona as the leader of Reform UK. Farage, who attended Dulwich College from 1975 to 1982, has been accused by former classmates of using racist slurs and singing songs with deeply offensive lyrics, including one that referenced gas chambers. This context raises questions about the development of his political persona, which many believe has been crafted to resonate with working-class voters, particularly those in the so-called “red wall” constituencies. The author draws parallels between Farage’s behavior and the attitudes observed in elite educational institutions, suggesting that such sentiments are not isolated incidents but rather reflective of a wider culture among young men in privileged settings.
The article also highlights the author’s personal experiences at Eton, where similar attitudes were prevalent among peers. This comparison underscores a troubling continuity in the culture of elite schools, where derogatory language and racist stereotypes were commonplace. The author recalls specific incidents, including a classmate boasting about a lineage tied to slavery and the casual use of anti-Semitic language. These reflections serve to illustrate how the norms within these institutions can shape individuals like Farage, who later emerge as influential political figures. The piece invites readers to consider how these early experiences may inform the ideologies and rhetoric of leaders in contemporary politics, ultimately raising critical questions about accountability and the legacy of such attitudes in shaping public discourse.
By situating Farage’s alleged school behavior within a broader context of systemic racism and elitism, the article challenges readers to reflect on the implications of such attitudes in today’s political landscape. It encourages an examination of not only Farage’s past but also the cultural structures that enable and perpetuate these views, suggesting that understanding the roots of such behavior is crucial in addressing the ongoing issues of racism and discrimination in society.
Let’s put aside the schooldays accusations and look, instead, at the Reform leader’s path since then. I think a pretty clear picture of the man emerges
When I see the
allegations of racism
against Nigel Farage from his schooldays, I can’t say I am greatly surprised. There are those who believe that the Reform UK leader’s persona must have been developed to win over working-class voters, or the “red wall”. I know that it is quite in keeping with the sentiments expressed by plenty of young men in elite institutions like English public schools – the kind of men who run the world.
Farage was educated at Dulwich college from 1975 to 1982; there, fellow students have told the Guardian, he allegedly used racist insults about fellow pupils and sang a song with the lyrics “Gas ’em all”. I attended Eton a couple of decades later, but the attitudes of some of the people I encountered there were not very different. One pupil, having fallen out with me over some perceived slight, boasted that
his great-grandfather was a slave driver
. A Jewish friend who was there with me at the same time told me how common it was to hear “Jew” or “rabbi” being used to describe anyone who was thought to be mean with their money. When I later saw Old Etonian Boris Johnson
referring to black people
as “piccaninnies” with “watermelon smiles”, I thought back to the peers of mine who would erupt into rants filled with racist stereotypes whenever they saw the West Indies cricket team on the TV.
Musa Okwonga is an author and football podcaster based in Berlin
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