White Riot (2020)

‘White Riot’, directed by Rubika Shah, charts the rise of Rock Against Racism (RAR) and Temporary Hoarding magazine during the 1970s. The match was lit in 1976, after Eric Clapton voiced his support of the controversial MP Enoch Powell. Echoing racist sentiments masquerading as immigration policy, Clapton disappointed fans all over Britain by promoting division and hate through music. Immigration policy was hotly contested at the time, but on the streets it was more a matter of aesthetics than any reasoned agenda. Protesters announced their desire to “keep our country free from invaders, when the invaders have black, brown and yellow faces”. Rebellion quickly ensued. While the National Front gained popularity across London and neo-Nazis attacked non-white people with alarming frequency, RAR’s gatherings and gigs brought together different nationalities and music genres as simultaneous protest and distraction.

The documentary, named in homage of The Clash song, shines a light on the power of protest: both for use of suppression and liberation. In only 80 minutes, the piece profiles the varying scenes of music, writing, anarchy, protests and policing. Most relevant is the ‘sus law’ that allowed police to arrest (usually Black people) on suspicion of loitering with intent to steal. An overactive police force and underactive monitoring is only remedied by an active press and interested public, and this documentary itself is a shining example of accountability and great reporting. The insight into the world of alternative publishing, through Temporary Hoarding magazine, is heady and intoxicating. The glimpse into the minds of young school children is pure and sweet: “we are Black, we are white, we are dynamic; schoolkids against the nazis”. Finally, the voices of music critics and writers are bold and classically British: “PS. Who shot the sheriff, Eric? It sure as hell wasn’t you, mate”.

Buzzing with the spirit of anarchy, ‘White Riot’ utilises a commendable sourcing of original footage from the music and magazine industries mixed with newly filmed interview pieces. The result is, perhaps accidentally, incredibly relevant and hard-hitting. We are watching clips and discussing stories from fifty years ago, reflecting on protests that thought they would change the world. We should be shocked at what we’re seeing, and grateful that we are in a better climate. But we’re not. Protest footage could be mistaken for modern day (okay, besides the vintage police uniforms and hairstyles), and sadly so could the sentiments of the far-right neo-Nazi agenda.

‘White Riot’ makes you wish that you were there to join the rebellion. We can’t forget that we currently have the same choice that we would have had then: to join together and fight the violence towards minority groups, or to continue to allow their suppression. The film discusses “all-round family British racism” and “the idea that we are still living, consciously or unconsciously, with the legend of colonialism” as unfortunate staples of our culture. ‘White Riot’ is not just great filmmaking, it’s truly educational. As the film says, racism “isn’t a problem you can forget about so it goes away – it’s like cancer”. I encourage you to not only watch this brilliant piece of art, but to actively engage with it and try your best to continue its legacy.