Ep 5. Britain's Everyday Extremism

In season 1, episode 5 of Hate Thy Neighbour, titled "Britain's Everyday Extremism," comedian Jamali Maddix seeks to explore the common and pervasive forms of extremism that exist in his home country of Britain. Maddix, who himself is of mixed race and has experienced discrimination, is a natural fit to investigate the insidious ways in which racism, xenophobia, and other forms of bigotry manifest and are propagated in modern-day Britain.

Maddix's first stop on his journey of exploration takes him to a pro-Brexit demonstration in Birmingham, one of the UK's most multi-cultural cities. Here, he finds himself in the midst of a sea of Union Jacks and is surrounded by people chanting harsh anti-immigrant slogans. By talking with those in the crowd, Maddix comes to understand the anger that many of them feel towards the establishment and their desire for their voices to be heard. However, he also witnesses how easy it is for this energy to be hijacked by personal agendas and extremist messaging.

Maddix then travels to Luton, a town known for its high Muslim population and its association with radicalism. By speaking with members of both the Muslim and white communities, Maddix gains insight into the complex and often polarizing dynamics that exist in Luton. He learns about the anger and frustration that many Muslim residents feel at being unfairly targeted by the media and the government, and the fear and unease that this leads to among their non-Muslim neighbors.

In Wales, Maddix visits a group of white nationalists who describe themselves as "patriots." Here, Maddix confronts head-on the extreme views that some people hold and sees firsthand how dangerous these attitudes can be. Despite their radical beliefs, Maddix is able to speak with the group members and gain a better understanding of why they believe what they do.

Finally, Maddix travels back to his hometown, Dagenham, to explore the rise of far-right groups there. He speaks with a former National Front member who explains how the group manipulated vulnerable young people to join their cause. Maddix also attends an anti-fascist demonstration and witnesses the passionate and sometimes violent clashes between the two sides.

Throughout the episode, Maddix works to uncover the motivations behind these different forms of extremism and to highlight the ways in which they can be combated. He reveals how the personal hurt and feeling of powerlessness that many individuals experience can be harnessed by extremist groups to create a sense of belonging and power, and how easy it can be for people to be swept up in these messages without fully understanding or necessarily agreeing with them.

Overall, "Britain's Everyday Extremism" is a thought-provoking exploration of the subtle and often overlooked ways in which extremist ideas are propagated in modern-day Britain. Through personal interviews, on-the-ground explorations, and candid conversations, Maddix is able to bring attention to this important issue and shed light on what can be done to combat it.