Through the SSF Lens: Nigel Farage, Denial, and the Spectrum of Racism
“Have I ever misspoken? Probably… but never in a hurtful or insulting way… not with intent.”
These were Nigel Farage’s recent words when asked about allegations of racist abuse during his school years. He added:
“I’ve never directly racially abused anybody… not in a way that took it out on an individual because of who they are.”
But what does “directly” mean? And why is intent positioned as the measure of whether something is racist?
Through the Six Stages Framework, we can see what is being said - and what is being avoided.
The Politics of Denial
Farage’s wording distances him from the impact of past behaviour by emphasising intent. This aligns with Stage -2: Denial and Deflection, where individuals minimise harm, rewrite history, or reframe actions as harmless misunderstandings.
At these stages, the conversation shifts from impact to self‑image - from “How did this affect others?” to “What did I mean?”
What the SSF Teaches Us
Racism is harmful whether subtle or overt.
Intent does not erase impact.
Accountability begins with acknowledging harm -even from the past.
When public figures minimise racism, they create permission structures that allow others to do the same.
Moving Forward
The Six Stages Framework asks us to recognise and name these subtle forms of denial and move toward reflection, responsibility, and growth.
A Question for All of Us
What does real accountability look like for public figures today - and how do we shift the focus from intent to impact?
🎧 From the “Through the SSF Lens” series by Dr. Shungu M’gadzah.
Learn more at www.sixstagesframework.com
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