Have you ever been caught in a rip current? That invisible pull of water, dragging you further from the safety of the shore? It's a force you don't see coming until you're in it, panicking and flailing, unsure of how to escape.
It’s a perfect metaphor for the challenges we’ve faced over the past year: those invisible, dangerous undercurrents of division, intolerance, and hate.
Last summer, it felt like we were collectively pulled into one of these rip tides. Racism reared its ugly head, loud and brazen. Then, as quickly as it seemed to peak, it disappeared from the headlines. The waves calmed, and some even thought the storm had passed. But here’s the thing about rip currents-they don’t vanish. They linger beneath the surface, hidden but just as powerful.
I’ve been reflecting on this undercurrent as I watch the world around me. Divisiveness seems to be growing. Whether it’s the toxic narratives taking root in the US or the increasingly vocal and emboldened voices of offence and exclusion, it’s as if the rip current is gaining strength, threatening to pull us all further apart.
For the record, I am-and always will be-a staunch advocate for free speech. I believe in everyone’s right to have a voice, no matter their background, identity, or circumstance. For most of my life, I’ve championed causes that some might find surprising: the empowerment of white men and boys, alongside my lifelong commitment to advocating for underrepresented and minority groups and in particular women. Inclusion isn’t a zero-sum game-it’s about lifting everyone up, not pitting one group against another.
But lately, I’m troubled by the ways these freedoms are being weaponised. Words that could build bridges are now being used to deepen divides. There’s an undercurrent of hostility, a sense that it’s not just okay to offend but almost encouraged. Free speech isn’t about the freedom to harm; it’s about creating understanding, dialogue, and progress.
I draw strength from stories of resilience, like my late mother’s incredible example. She worked 18-hour days to support her family and still found time to help others in her community. Her generosity and determination taught me the value of perseverance in the face of adversity. And there’s my youngest daughter, who reminds me daily of the joy in simple things, her laughter cutting through even the most challenging of days. These moments remind me why I do what I do: because the fight for inclusion, understanding, and unity is always worth it.
But we can’t ignore the rip currents pulling us apart. We need to steer a clear, collaborative path. That means standing up for one another, challenging hate wherever it surfaces, and refusing to be dragged under by the currents of division.
A rising tide raises all ships. But a rip tide? That will sink us if we’re not careful. Let’s not just stay afloat-let’s come together, build bridges, and navigate these waters with compassion, understanding, and strength. Because the only way to overcome a rip tide is to swim together, not apart.
Ammar Mirza CBE is Chair & Founder of Asian Business Connexions, Executive Chair of the AmmarM Group, Honorary Colonel of 101 Regiment RA and holds various positions across the public and private sectors with a deep interest in Inclusion, Innovation and Internationalisation.