u/Brave_Assumption6

I was inspired to write this after reading this article.

Morrissey is an outspoken person and naturally that attracts attention/criticism but I really want people to look at him differently. I myself am a visible person of colour plus I'm a practicing Muslim and the child of immigrants in England. I don't buy for one second the comments and opinions from people that Morrissey is a "racist", let alone far-right or whatever.

I've been a fan since teenagehood after hearing The Smiths on the radio (2008-ish) and their music spoke out strongly to me based on how I was like as a lonely sad teen and my difficulty at school (including having been the victim of racist 'paki' jokes). But some of the labels he's received by other people are very short sighted and don't tell the full story.

The idea of Morrissey being far-right is absolutely foolish. This is the same man who was staunchily anti-capitalist, criticised George Bush for Iraqi civilians, wanted Thatcher to die in the IRA bombing, dislikes Trump yet praised Sanders, campaigned against police brutality, and for pete's sake he's an animal rights activist (something that that the rightists would literally laugh at!). How anyone could call him far-right knowing that is beyond me.

I am also not convinced that he is racist - because there is no evidence. If anything, he is what I would call a "nationalist". He cares about Britain and British culture and wants to preserve that - there's nothing wrong with that, in fact it is quite the right thing. That's why he has flirted with the likes of the National Front and UKIP. He is not a fan of immigration, but he is not racist in the context of actively hating a non-British race. There's a BIG distinction between those two. And one that even I can understand because I am a POC but have grown up around and appreciate local values and culture, and I believe anyone who lives here must adhere to it.

People look at it too black & white. You can be two things at the same time. And Morrissey clearly is a complex person with strong personal values. I salute the man and I don't like seeing short sighted critics give him negative labels. And I hope people take it from me as a British Pakistani bloke.

Obviously my personal views don't meet eye to eye with him - for starters I do love some meat. And Morrissey is a flawed person as evident from the comment about Chinese people (which sounded knee-jerk) or his liking of Farage (who is a total charlatan). But then again aren't we all flawed in one way or another? Anyone who claims they have no flaws is a liar. To me Morrissey is an authentic realist who simply cares about life and a fair society. And that to me is enough to know who he really is. Morrissey: you got me through insanely tough times during age 15-20 and I thank you for that. I know you're well meaning inside - God bless you.

Information sourced from Wikipedia

Pretty crazy but interesting fact to me