We live in exceptional circumstances: in a post-pandemic, inflationary environment where megalomaniac men dominate our news: Putin, who is hellbent on burning the world, and Musk, who, for the wealthiest man today, has a questionable, non-existent moral compass.
Some developed nations are suffering more than others – the UK, with the lowest forecast GDP, is beginning to feel the whiplash of its decision to retract from a global economy and become more xenophobic (Rule 101 of how not to run a country Brexiters)
Against this backdrop, the significance of Rishi Sunak’s appointment has been lost or sidelined. Brits are simply ignoring the colour of skin and throwing his achievements under the bus.
And I am writing to celebrate what he represents.
PS I’ve only ever known of three rishis: Maharishi Vishamitra, Rishi, the bane of my childhood existence, and Rishi Sunak.
The later Rishi, gives me much to celebrate.
Son of immigrants
Like Rishi’s parents, I too came from Africa to the UK, with my parents having left India as teenagers. I have lived in five countries, speak English with an upper-middle-class “London” accent, and my career has benefitted from globalization as Rishi Sunak has.
I have many Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi friends who are in the same boat and have excelled in everything they have done.
Not Boris Johnson
Rishi Sunak is a clear winner of globalization and has outclassed any other PM with similar credentials. …And there are many: Tony Blair, Boris Johnson, and David Cameron went to elite private colleges. The latter went to Eton and then Oxford. Blair went to Fettes (as I did for a time).
Rishi Sunak has outperformed in many ways:
- He has an MBA from Stanford, which is not only a top-tier global business school but has an average acceptance rate of 5%-6%
- He is a Fullbright scholar. Currently, 40 heads of state/government, 62 Nobel Prize winners and 86 Pulitzer Prize winners are Fullbright scholars.
- He has worked for Goldman Sachs and hedge fund managers in the City of London and has made a killing out of it.
The spoils of globalisation
He is rich. And so what?
His wealth is Western societies tactical acknowledgment of his hard work, indisputable intelligence, and ambition. When did all of these things become terrible? If you want firemen and teachers to be paid the same wage, then fix your broken society. And yes, he has brown skin, as I do. Many Brits are choosing to ignore his skin colour – I probably would have done the same thing.
But it’s important to point out that India gained independence from the British Empire just 75 years ago, and in Zimbabwe, that was 1984 (less than 40 years ago).
Many of our parents and grandparents in Africa recall seeing signs like these: “Dogs and Indians are not allowed.”
For a man of Indian origin to reside this night in 10 Downing Street is nothing short of momentous. It is a testament that the results can be incredible when globalization and upper social mobility work.