Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Wondering how we can all stand behind & support minorities in this climate.

181 replies

Agn · 06/08/2024 06:12

It is horrendous that there is a climate of fear and that all this far right terrorism is taking place.

are there ways for the general public to give support to minorities who are being targetted?

OP posts:
Auvergne63 · 06/08/2024 20:44

Mickeymouseisinnocent · 06/08/2024 18:19

Pro Palestinian protesters harrassed the audience at the Regents Park open air theatre yesterday - at a prodiction of Fiddler on the Roof. They say their agenda is just against Israel not Jews but why protest at a show which has nothing to do with Israel and no evidence the audience was Israeli? Most of the audience WAS Jewish though. And the show has a Jewish theme. Regents Park is denying the video was at that location which is a lie. I was there....and I was scared and intimidated.

Edited

Please don't lump all pro Palestinians protesters together. What happened at the Regents Park open air theatre is wrong and indefensible.
I am also not one of those who conflates Jewish people with the Israeli government's actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

TooBigForMyBoots · 06/08/2024 20:35

stronglatte · 06/08/2024 18:44

What is evident a few days in that thugs are being outnumbered by decent, kind, informed British citizens with big hearts and minds informed by more than anything Tommy ten names has to churn out from his sunbed . There seems to be a clear divide between rioters and decent people

This. I've just come home past a crowd of people protecting our local middle Eastern supermarket. They came out when it was attacked by a dozen or so wee scrotes.

Some people going to get a knock on the door tonight and tomorrow from the police and community workers.

ATenShun · 06/08/2024 20:33

ElatedShark · 06/08/2024 18:01

This whole situation is awful but not surprising. England has always been racist.
Not sure what can be done to support apart from things suggested already.

Maybe all the people of colour should just not go to work etc as it's not safe. My neighbour is born and raised here, second gen black British works for NHS, I won't say as what to avoid outing info.

We live where there were/are riots.
She is terrified, she was crying the other day when I popped round to check on her. I've offered to drive her to work and back as we finish similar times and will save her public transport.

Ironically I am not British but as I'm white, I've had no hassle, been fine going wherever.

I personally think the above, all people of colour should just stop helping prop up this country that treats them like trash.
Take a two week break, the mental stress this must be causing is horrible to imagine.

Speaking with and seeing this usually friendly smiling women turn into.this scared shell has made me rethink and evaluate my own views on immigration.
I am still very much is favour of brits being deported out of my home country (Spain) but I would hate for my country to treat them the way this country is treating minorities.

You don't see the hypocrisy in your statement? You want the settled Brits to leave Spain while you are living in the UK.

As it happens I believe Countries should only be accepting people who bring something to the table, eg fill necesarry jobs.
We really do not need more barista's, gents hairdressers, nail bars, tanning salons.

Brits retiring abroad shouldn't just be accepted, as this does diminish local housing stock and uses resources Spaniards are more deserving of. However this same approach should be used with the many economic migrants we now have. Especially from Eastern Europe & Central Asian Countries.

macaroniandcheeze · 06/08/2024 19:50

Milkyway1213 · 06/08/2024 17:41

I've reported your post, what is it you don't get? I shall spell it out for you, a TINY minority of people are the troublemakers, most people have tried to protest peacefully.
I have also said many a time that the troublemakers should be locked up and that I don't condone violence.

What are they protesting?

Wishitwasstraightforward · 06/08/2024 19:34

Let's call a spade a spade (with the admission that I am a white middle aged woman, and so can only speak from my white middle aged female perspective)- there are an amount of people who judge others, and have bias towards them based on the colour of their skin. This is the core of the issue. It is hideous and absolutely nonsensical.

I think anyone who wants to try to address the OP's query needs to prioritise listening to the voices of non white people. Really listening. Listening to how they feel, how they are treated, what they feel may make a difference, what is helpful and unhelpful. You will get a variety of perspectives and these perspectives are what is important.

From my white perspective the following also needs to happen:
Zero tolerance of racial slurs, racism being passed off as a joke etc.. This needs to be robustly called out for what it is every single time.

Better ways to report and deal with racism within social media including what some regard as 'minor' issues.

Doing whatever we can to show that the colour of someone's skin says nothing more about them than the size of their ears, whether they are left or right handed, whether they have a full head of hair or a bald. It does not say a single thing about where they are from right now.

Better education around asylum, historical immigration, slavery, the empire etc in schools. Not just for students studying certain subjects- for every student. We as a nation have too many incorrect assumptions about how and why the ancestors of POC arrived here in the past and the difference between an asylum seeker and an illegal immigrant.

More responsible reporting and language used in the media, for example journalists should not be using terms like illegal immigrants for asylum seekers.

Facts being openly shared by governments and other officials in some sort of round-table discussion resulting in formal agreement of the correct terms, facts etc.. Giving a universally agreed consensus on matters which gives less wriggle room for people spreading misinformation. For example, what are the official rules wrt asylum seekers / illegal immigrants claiming benefits etc.. There are so many opinions which are stated as facts and so much misinformation that it can become very hard for people to see the wood for the trees, and to call out misinformation when they hear it because no one can agree the correct facts.

Awareness of how many POC are feeling now, and once this has died down. Asking anyone who may need it how you can support them. Letting them know that you care. Allowing them to vent at your white face.

Perplexed20 · 06/08/2024 19:18

Milkyway1213 · 06/08/2024 07:34

But they are not ALL thugs!
Did you not see footage of the 73 year old who was arrested for just being present at a protest?

It's not a protest, irs a riot.
My 71 ex teacher sister, is now what I would considered far right.

She was recently banned from somewhere for fighting apparently. She's an ex teacher. Age has nothing to do with it.

Given how things were unfolding, that person could of left. Being there is implied support of thuggery and rioting. The police don't just arrest people for being there - or do you think just stop oil people shouldn't have been arrested?

BigAnne · 06/08/2024 19:08

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain What is it exactly you're expecting from people of different cultures other than being law abiding?

notbelieved · 06/08/2024 19:07

OP - I am running a summer school right now. I have today had to.support a 6 year old crying because he witnessed his family restaurant having it's windows put in over the weekend. The family is English. South Asian. Hindu. By all means let's have a sensible conversation about immigration, not a demand for the repatriation of law abiding, contributing, British citizens whilst putting their windows in.

In my experience, people angry about immigration are not prepared to listen to facts. They're not prepared to recognise, let alone research something simple like the main religion in Rwanda (because to have to think about that means they can't put the windows of the local curry house through. For fun). Until those critical of immigration are prepared to see the bigger picture, more children are going to experience what that innocent little boy saw this weekend. The lasting impact that has had on him, a British citizen, is not acceptable.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 06/08/2024 19:07

To me, it's very simple. You either make excuses for thug's bullying innocent people or you condemn it. Anyone who claims to have a grievance can take it up, not go looting in the streets, terrifying children and stamping on people's heads. They are the worst low life, as are those who excuse them.

Wishitwasstraightforward · 06/08/2024 19:03

LlynTegid · 06/08/2024 07:08

Start with being courteous, say remembering to say please and thank you in a shop. Or continue to do so if you do it already.

WTAF! Is this an actual answer to OP's question? I really hoping that you posted on the wrong thread @LlynTegid.

Just incase you did deliberately post it then please consider whether common courtesy and manners should be a given from everyone and is missing the point of the thread!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 06/08/2024 18:46

BigAnne · 06/08/2024 18:33

@Milkyway1213 what do you mean by "integrate with us"

I see from where my brother and his family live (moving soon) that there’s not much integration eg with the local muslims who go to mosque there but also jewish and other other faiths and cultures don’t seem to integrate at all. The Ukrainian community one of whom I met by chance did integrate and some other Eastern European cultures do make an effort.

stronglatte · 06/08/2024 18:44

What is evident a few days in that thugs are being outnumbered by decent, kind, informed British citizens with big hearts and minds informed by more than anything Tommy ten names has to churn out from his sunbed . There seems to be a clear divide between rioters and decent people

stronglatte · 06/08/2024 18:42

Agn · 06/08/2024 06:12

It is horrendous that there is a climate of fear and that all this far right terrorism is taking place.

are there ways for the general public to give support to minorities who are being targetted?

Lovely thread - so glad you've started this - you're right this is where our focus should be xx

scatterolight · 06/08/2024 18:41

RoseUnder · 06/08/2024 07:39

I recommend highly checking out the organisation Hope Not Hate. They do brilliant community led work and have had many successes in recent years.

https://hopenothate.org.uk/

HNH also co-organise peaceful solidarity counter-events. I’m hoping to attend one this weekend. They will have other suggestions for ways you can help even from home.

Edited

Oh yes, is that the same Hope Not Hate who invented a far right acide attack on a Muslim woman and posted it on Twitter the other day?

2dogsandabudgie · 06/08/2024 18:39

DoubleCoatedDogs · 06/08/2024 18:17

@Milkyway1213 If I was afraid of being attacked when I left the house I might arm myself, too. There are people on other threads who are terrified for their children, scared to leave the house for work, and you've jumped on a thread where people are looking to show support for their friends and neighbours of colour with a defence of the "protests".

That is not right to say that, no one should be carrying an offensive weapon. That's why there's so much knife crime, because young teens carry knives and use the excuse "it's for protection".

BigAnne · 06/08/2024 18:33

@Milkyway1213 what do you mean by "integrate with us"

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 06/08/2024 18:28

Not sure about this in general but do notice some people bring understanding and some not.

It is also tricky also if you live in a multicultural like I do (London) where some people gel and some don’t.

Then you get an increase of far right followers and Nigel Farage as an MP.

It doesn’t take an idiot to work out that if we had addressed tar right issues sensibly (economic migrants over refugees) then this could have been sorted out sooner rather than later and with far less drama.

I was going to suggest Margaret Thatcher and other female MPs/
iministers. But thought a bit useless really as they’re just as bad as the men. I haven’t seen the new labour MP females in action yet so cannot comment there but am sure there will be drama there with them
too.

YellowphantGrey · 06/08/2024 18:22

Agn · 06/08/2024 06:12

It is horrendous that there is a climate of fear and that all this far right terrorism is taking place.

are there ways for the general public to give support to minorities who are being targetted?

How do you act towards these "minorities" the rest of the year?

Why has it taken these latest riots for you to decide to be supportive and stand behind them? Surely if you genuinely that concerned, this wouldn't even be a question.

They dont need any white saviours, try being decent, accepting and integrate with them all year round, every year, not just when it's riots and you want to be seen to be productive.

2dogsandabudgie · 06/08/2024 18:19

LlynTegid · 06/08/2024 07:08

Start with being courteous, say remembering to say please and thank you in a shop. Or continue to do so if you do it already.

Bloody hell! Shouldn't we all be doing this anyway. I thought good manners was one of the first things that parents taught their children.

We should all be saying please, thank you, hello etc to everyone regardless of age, sex, skin colour, ethnicity etc.

It should come automatically, we shouldn't even need to think about it.

Mickeymouseisinnocent · 06/08/2024 18:19

Auvergne63 · 06/08/2024 17:50

Being pro Palestine and being pro Hamas are two different things.
Having said that calls for violence are never acceptable.

Pro Palestinian protesters harrassed the audience at the Regents Park open air theatre yesterday - at a prodiction of Fiddler on the Roof. They say their agenda is just against Israel not Jews but why protest at a show which has nothing to do with Israel and no evidence the audience was Israeli? Most of the audience WAS Jewish though. And the show has a Jewish theme. Regents Park is denying the video was at that location which is a lie. I was there....and I was scared and intimidated.

DoubleCoatedDogs · 06/08/2024 18:17

@Milkyway1213 If I was afraid of being attacked when I left the house I might arm myself, too. There are people on other threads who are terrified for their children, scared to leave the house for work, and you've jumped on a thread where people are looking to show support for their friends and neighbours of colour with a defence of the "protests".

Milkyway1213 · 06/08/2024 18:13

Anonym00se · 06/08/2024 18:05

The thread is about reassuring people of colour who are scared of going out and getting beaten up by racist, far-right thugs. You jumped in with the ‘people like me’ comment. It’s not a stretch to interpret that was you identifying as a rioter.

You see, my mixed-race dd isn’t scared of being stabbed or beaten by people with concerns about illegal immigration. She’s scared to leave the house because of violent, racist thugs.

This isn’t about you, unless you’re draped in a St George’s cross and lobbing bricks at police officers.

FFS I'm not a bloody rioter!
What the fuck is it with some of you? You're quick to jump on me, even though I've constantly condemned the rioting, yet strangely enough, no one will gasp in horror at the Birmingham riot last night, where people were running amok with swords and machetes!
It's unbelievable.

I'm definitely off, some of you are trying to get a rise on here. It's crazy making.

Milkyway1213 · 06/08/2024 18:09

Auvergne63 · 06/08/2024 17:59

Well why the majority of "protesters" stood watching the thugs, filming them? They could have overcome the "tiny" minority fairly easily and made sure that these thugs wouldn't harm innocent people.

How could they stop the thugs? There were riot Police there too.

Milkyway1213 · 06/08/2024 18:07

DoubleCoatedDogs · 06/08/2024 17:59

@Milkyway1213 Report away. It doesn't erase the fact that the vast majority of rioters are beating up anyone they see who's a different colour to them, burning buildings and looting shops. Did you see the footage of the black man dragged from a car at some traffic lights? Or the woman kicked in the head on the street in Liverpool?

The ones who aren't actively doing that are frothing at the mouth about the country sinking under the weight of immigrants.

They're not all aged people concerned about the country. They're violent fascists looking to start a war.

The Empire's dead love. Get over it.

I've seen lots of footage and I'm sickened by it.
I'm also sickened by the riot in Birmingham last night where a white man was severely beaten.
Why don't any of you mention the Birmingham riot too?

Anonym00se · 06/08/2024 18:05

Milkyway1213 · 06/08/2024 09:02

Thank you, I'd better leave this thread though as I can't believe the amount of ignorance shown by others on here, it amazes me that some just point blank refuse to debate without making false accusations, it's shameful.

The thread is about reassuring people of colour who are scared of going out and getting beaten up by racist, far-right thugs. You jumped in with the ‘people like me’ comment. It’s not a stretch to interpret that was you identifying as a rioter.

You see, my mixed-race dd isn’t scared of being stabbed or beaten by people with concerns about illegal immigration. She’s scared to leave the house because of violent, racist thugs.

This isn’t about you, unless you’re draped in a St George’s cross and lobbing bricks at police officers.

Swipe left for the next trending thread