What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel EP 165 with Ash Sarkar (Part 1)
Sep 8, 2025
Ash Sarkar, a journalist and the author of 'Minority Rule', joins Mark Steel to discuss the nuances of anti-racist activism and her politically active family background. They explore the importance of solidarity in struggles, critique Labour under Starmer, and reflect on the pitfalls of language obsession in activism. With humor, they touch on quirky neighborhood interactions and the chaotic spirit of football culture, revealing the layers behind public discourse and genuine engagement.
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Thrown Into Financial TV Debate
- Ash Sarkar describes being put on TV about GameStop the same day she learned what a short position was.
- She leaned into political explanation rather than technical finance and challenged a hedge fund guest directly.
Identity Politics vs Strategic Anti-Racism
- Ash argues identity-politics obsession with language replaced strategic anti-racism in many left spaces.
- That focus rewarded cultural capital and punished movement-building priorities.
Solidarity Beats Purity For Movements
- Ash contrasts identity politics with organising that builds solidarity across differences.
- She cites Fred Hampton's Rainbow Coalition as a model of strategic alliance-building that changed hearts over time.
