To ask black mumsnetters a question.

I fear the BLM (not the concept but how the arguments are often expressed) has caused more division. I was discussing this with a black friend recently and we both shared the same worries. It seems to go both ways. There seem to be many black people who are ready to express how much they don't like white people. Two wrongs have never made a right.

I see the BLM movement standing for equality and equality only. I don't think that's too much to ask for and that's why I support it.

I want to add what I really hate. I'm black, and if a black person commits a terrible crime, no I am not going to stand up for him just because he's black.

On the other side, of this is my local FB crime group. Most of the criminals caught are white, for all sorts of crimes ranging from awful to minor. You do get comments, and likes on them. But as soon as there's a black man (usually weed/theft related) caught by the police, then the flood gates open and the comments are so awful to read as a black person. And of course, silly me went through the group's history to see if I was being unreasonable. I'm not.

Aren't* just black people.

There is more of a conversation about it, which of course invites racist opinions.

But also, I'm less tolerant of things I'd have given a pass before I realised there is strength in numbers, and those numbers are just black people.

My eyes have opened wider to injustices faced by people of other races too.

The OP is asking for lived experiences from a section of society.

The whole of MN is split into sections which allows posters to do that with other issues but not on black only issues.

I suspect you don't accuse MN of being sexist, ableist etc for having those sections?

I think maybe it appears people are racist because they state they don’t agree with a lot of what BLM stand for, or they don’t take the knee or refuse to raise their fist for Black power. People who fall into these groups are automatically branded as racist, which obviously isn’t the case.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

Perhaps this is that last fight stage before they lose.

To ask black mumsnetters a question.

QuoteSexnotgender
Do you think there’s more racism since the BLM movement?

I was discussing this with my husband this morning and I think misogyny is worse since ‘me too’ happened and I was wondering if you’re seeing the same.

This thread is racist. Why only ask black mumsnetters?

@nutellafortea I feel the same about BLM. I can't and don't support that group but as a white woman not supporting BLM obviously makes me racist. A while ago my neighbour was talking about taking his kids to the protests and asked if i would be attending, the absolute bollocking i got when i told him that i didn't support the group was a bit of a shock.
I think some white people are afraid to admit that they don't support BLM as it could be seen as racism rather than just not supporting a group with rather questionable views.

BLM has raised the bigotry louder again but it's a rising tide of arseholes from long before. Nineteen years of anti Muslim bigotry suddenly becoming casually socially acceptable, then the last six+ years of fucking Farage and anti-European, anti-immigrant rhetoric, our current darling government's overt racism with Windrush and Grenfell, Trump's vile shit being all over the socials, white supremacists raising platforms everywhere... COVID blaming "oh those people with their large families" always meaning BAME. The racists are emboldened and think it's acceptable now, and it's accelerated this year with BLM.

It's horrible.

The kids seem to be mostly non-racist still, at least in towns. There's hope.

I saw a very interesting study discussed in a BBC 4 documentary on women which really stayed with me. It was about whether sexist language on social media made people sexist. The conclusion was that if you were not sexist, it would not change that. But if you were sexist, seeing it from other people would you the confidence to become sexist, to act in a sexist way. You felt empowered to do so because you could see other people felt like you. I think it’s the same with racism and Brexit. Not everyone voted for Brexit because they didn’t like foreigners / black people - but for those who did, winning the referendum has empowered them.

'Likely affecting people's views' I meant.

I've certainly heard people say some pretty bigoted things about Indians/Asians in regard to covid, but truthfully speaking I've also noticed much less social distancing in these communities which might account for the resurge in majority Asian areas up north, quickly affects people's views.

I'm basing my comment on the last few weeks spent working in places like Alum Rock, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Handsworth, Yardley Wood, Chelmsley Wood, etc. We service a lot of large ethnic supermarkets and during compliance visits I've noticed much less social distancing that going to say a Tesco or Sainsburys.

There is a particular wave towards us black woman, mysongynoir bloody spell checker 😒

It seems people are so rigid in their thinking now, when someone admits not supporting BLM they are automatically labelled as "racist". Why? I'm black and I dont support this organization. Why do white decent folks feel obliged to support so much crap? End of nuclear family? Marxism? Any organization that refers to woman as c is can get lost. BLM (and Covid19) made me rethink my politics during 2020. Gave up reading the Guardian this year in disgust with their reporting of these issues.

As for racism: as a black woman I'm observing a lot of people being extra careful to 'validate' me and such crap. Wish random white people could just act normal (*) and leave the condescending ways behind.

(*) I know you are not racist, dont need to go out of your way to prove it.

I am not black but I've noticed some of my all white family have started spouting racist views that I never knew they held. It's been an eye opener and I think it's because BLM has opened the doors to debate

This. I'm horrified by what some people have said/posted and it's almost that they think just because I am white too that I'll obviously agree with their racist bile. It's been very eye opening and amazing how we think we know people and we really don't. Oh and the generation /age excuse makes me feel murderous.

Racism is being discussed more and for some racist the mask sometimes slips. In real life, covid and social distancing has blurred some lines. Have you been asked by fellow customers to move further away from them compared to white customers yet? Because it happened with me and Dh and we can’t agree if it was coming from a racist angle or concern as COVID-19 effects BAME people more.