Twitter responds hilariously to Fox News' Islamophobic Birmingham comments
- Text by Shelley Jones
Xenophobia is not funny. But the best way to beat a bully is to laugh at them. Such is the genius of #foxnewsfacts a satirical hashtag, trending on Twitter at the moment, in reaction to Fox News’ claims yesterday that Birmingham is a no-go zone for non-Muslims.
Capturing the height of the anti-Islam hysteria sweeping the world after the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris, the Fox News’ report – which features ‘terrorism expert’ Steven Emerson – seems to suggest that Birmingham is some sort of Islamic state and you’re constantly under threat in London if you don’t wear a burka.
The claims are, of course, absolutely, laughably ridiculous – although terrifying when you consider Fox News is a legitimate news organisation that many Americans will rely on for information. In fact, the comments exemplify a common problem in public rhetoric at the moment where people confound Islam, in all its varied factions, with extremism. There is no ‘evil empire’ guys. C’mon, wake up.
Thankfully, Twitter has showed that not everyone is buying into the propaganda. Inspired by the humorous responses, we’ve curated some of our favourites. Check them out below.
Steven Emerson has since apologised for the comments, calling them a ‘terrible error’.
Latest on Huck
Redefining street photography in the 21st Century
A new exhibition celebrates the transformative art of street photography.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Exploring the impact of colonialism on Australia’s Indigenous communities
New exhibition, ‘Under a Southern Star: Identity and Environment in Australian Photography’ interrogates the use of photography as a tool of objectification and subjugation.
Written by: Miss Rosen
My sister disappeared when we were children. Years later, I retraced her footsteps
After a car crash that saw Magnum photographer Lindokuhle Sobekwa hospitalised, his sister ran away from their home in South Africa. His new photobook, I Carry Her Photo With Me, documents his journey in search of her.
Written by: Lindokuhle Sobekwa
Inside New York City’s hedonistic 2000s skateboarding scene
New photobook, ‘Epicly Later’d’ is a lucid survey of the early naughties New York skate scene and its party culture.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Did we create a generation of prudes?
Has the crushing of ‘teen’ entertainment and our failure to represent the full breadth of adolescent experience produced generation Zzz? Emma Garland investigates.
Written by: Emma Garland
How to shoot the world’s most gruelling race
Photographer R. Perry Flowers documented the 2023 edition of the Winter Death Race and talked through the experience in Huck 81.
Written by: Josh Jones