Let’s discuss Brexit.
To do that we must break down Brexit, and all things in life can be looked at from the formula we learn in the classroom.
The five W’s and one H. What. Who. Where. When. Why. How.
What is Brexit?
Brexit refers to the U.K.’s historic referendum on whether or not to leave the European Union which was democratically decided by the people of Britain on June 23, 2016 in favor of “Leaving.”
Who and Where is the European Union?
The European Union is a politically and economically connected system of 28 states located mostly in geographical Europe. The basic concept of the EU is that people work together for the good of all within an area defined by partly geography and culture.
When?
The EU hailed from coal, steel and economic communities of various European countries coming together as a social economic force in 1951. Britain joined the EU on Jan. 1, 1973 but has subsequently voted to leave.
Why?
Why did the one of the largest and ever expanding system of cooperation ever seen on the European continent begin to fray?
One word: Immigration.
How?
In 2015, a tweet was sent out from an office in Germany welcoming refugees from war-torn countries into Germany for asylum. This tweet sparked the largest migration crisis into Europe since World War 2.
Instantly, thousands of refugees, a number that since then increased to millions, were crossing the Mediterranean from Turkey into Greece. Then from Greek islands, masses of desperate people began a long and dangerous march towards Germany.
As Germany is a member of the EU, soon calls came for other member states to help absorb what seems to be never-ending masses.
The EU is based upon a premise that the wealthy will take care of the wealthy. The EU is designed by wealthy white people for wealthy white people. The EU is just not designed to handle large numbers of people who strain the welfare and safety net of society. Add a population influx of strangers in a strange land practicing different beliefs, while many being on welfare, and we have Brexit.
Britain has been experiencing an upwelling of anti-Islamic sentiment towards an ever-growing immigrant population that was strained before the current refugee crisis. The thought of even more immigrants coming into Britain, to help clean Germany’s mess, has caused unease among the native Anglo-Saxon population.
Immigrant workers are one thing to bear, poor beggars even more. Poor beggars who are brown and smell of turmeric wearing Hijab, well, that’s a whole other formula altogether.
The overriding argument of those wishing to stay in the EU is the threat of economic hardship. Shouts of “Back of the Queue” meant to convey the idea that economically the people of Britain would suffer from exiting the EU.
In the end, the threat of losing the native culture of Britain overrode calls for economic prosperity.
The popular vote of Brexit reflects the idea that the desires of the establishment for economic prosperity did not resonate with the voice of the populace who clearly sent a mandate that, “Britain is for the British.”
I believe this anti-establishment sentiment can be seen in American politics under the Donald Trump philosophy of, “America for Americans.” Time will tell if the American voters also follows the spirit of Brexit which is an anti-establishment movement at its core.
The questions remain. Did Brexit stave off Islamization and for how long? Will the Brexit vote be a respite enough from an ever-growing cultural shift in Europe? How will the markets adjust? How many more EU states will opt out? How long until the EU disintegrates as we know it?
Time will only tell with all of those questions, but one thing is certain. A cultural shift can begin with one tweet and bring down the world as we know it.
Welcome to the future.
Maryiam Yisrael Khalaf is an empathic adviser in film, business and politics who has operated Shiksa’s Wellness House in Utah for over a decade. It’s a safe space for wellness. Maryiam has a passion for teaching empathy and inclusivity through gardening and American cultural assimilation, and has been honored to do so as a community teacher at Broadview University. Maryiam’s work has been adopted by the Baligham Royal Family of Cameroon and will be used in conjunction with their work-to-prosperity charitable programs.
Maryiam is currently running for State/County Delegate (R) and is the first female Muslim politician in Northern Utah. She recently overcame cancer and is happily working after a two-year medical leave. She is a mother of four and happily married to the love of her life Atheer Khalaf.
Maryiam’s core belief is “When we understand each other than we are more likely to love each other.” She directs her life’s work from this view. You can reach her on Twitter at MaryiamKhalaf.
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