Rock Against Racism

RAR flyer from 2018

The colorful pseudoscience Race & Racialism

Hating thy neighbour

Racism Racial pride Nationalism

Divide and conquer

I'm not prejudiced, but... Fort Pillow Massacre Ustaše Christchurch terrorist attacks Conservative Party (UK)

Dog-whistlers

Gary North Carolyn Emerick E. Michael Jones Pat Boone John Tyler v - t - e

Rock Against Racism was a British anti-racist campaign that raised awareness for its cause by staging rock concerts.

RAR was originally conceived by Red Saunders and Roger Huddle as a one-off concert, but nothing came of the idea until August 1976 when Eric Clapton drunkenly praised Enoch Powell. Saunders, Huddle and two members of Kartoon Klowns^{[note 1]} responded with a letter to New Musical Express announcing the launch of the Rock Against Racism movement and calling for collaborators; Huddle since claimed that they received hundreds of letters in reply. RAR was ultimately part of a broader anti-racism movement (its frequent partner, the Anti-Nazi League, was founded in 1977) that grew up in response to the National Front.^[1]

The first RAR carnival was held in 1978.^[2] The campaign prompted a backlash from the white power music scene, which launched Rock Against Communism in response.

At the time, Roger Huddle was working for the Socialist Workers Party as a graphic designer. The SWP was closely involved with RAR, allowing its PO box and print shop to be used by the campaign.^[3]

The original incarnation of RAR gradually faded away during the eighties, although an arguable successor — Love Music Hate Racism — was set up in 2002 following the elections of BNP councillers in Burnley.^[2]

See also[edit]

• Stop Murder Music

Notes[edit]

References[edit]