A small group of hardcore racists were legitimized by media and politicians, and it's unleashed previously hidden hate and cruelty in others. Not everyone, and it's still a small group. But racist sentiments that even 3 months ago would have got you fired, are now normal to hear nightly on the TV
Ironically, in 2015, the Conservative govt created 4 Fundamental British Values. Schools are required by law to display and promote them. They are: democracy, rule of law, individual liberties, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs www.nga.org.uk/knowledge-ce...
Maddening. This is all those small groups look for, permission from the wider society to let that racism out and to be proud about it, and then others who are more than happy to follow that lead come out too, especially as the wider authorities are permissive and then outright in agreement.
This was part of the huge attraction of Trump in 2016. He not only gave the racists permission to be racists, but to do so publicly and not be held accountable for it.
Sounds exactly like the anti-trans "panic."