AIBU to agree with Diane Abbott

No one has said all forms of racism are equal, but another poster tried to suggest that those rapes weren’t based upon racism and they were. Accepting that doesn’t mean that suddenly other forms of racism don’t matter. The fact that so many people didn’t accept that is was racism originally is why it was allowed to con tie for so damned long.

Accepting that doesn’t take away how anyone else has suffered and still suffers. It doesn’t work like that.

Ph and by the way, those rapes happens due to historical beliefs and power.

I had a tunisian friend who was like “yeah we were slavers”. She definitely didn’t approve but she was pretty bewildered about people not noticing the arab slave trade.

No one’s denying those men held racialised, misogynistic views. Choosing victims based on race is vile—and yes, that's racism. But acknowledging that doesn't erase the reality that racism isn’t just about individual attitudes - it’s about structures, history, and power.

So yes, let’s condemn all prejudice. But pretending all forms of racism are equal flattens context and erases impact. A slur, a hate crime, and generations of systemic oppression aren’t all playing on the same field. Let’s not pretend they are.

Oh my Lord in heaven.

You're entitled to disagree - but mistaking racial slurs for systemic racism is like confusing a punchline with the entire plot.

Just because race was mentioned doesn’t mean power structures were reversed.

It's not all it's cracked up to be, being a Jew who doesn't look 'obviously Jewish'. There's always a constant balancing act between revealing my real self and keeping my family safe, especially now. It feels similar to 'coming out' as gay - if you don't, it erases an important part of you, if you do it can lay you open to cruelty and sadly reveal that friendly neighbours, acquaintances, work colleagues etc only wanted to befriend a false, partial version of you.

I know lots of people don't get it. Thank you sincerely to those on this thread that do seem to. Maybe it's because others really do see it like a costume I can take on and off? Eg when expressing concerns to friends about my young child possibly encountering antisemitism at school I was given the well meaning suggestion that we "just don't have to tell anyone we're Jewish". Which would effectively be asking a five year old to tell a lie I doubt an adult could sustain. What are you doing for christmas? (Going to Limmud!) Why did you get presents at a different time? (We celebrate Hanukkah actually!) You're out of school on a weekday in September where did you go? (To synagogue for Rosh Hashana with my family!) It's impossible. But that is what a dear old friend genuinely suggested before I pointed out the obvious flaws.

They would never have suggested that eg if I had a same sex partner I should just never hold hands with them or put up wedding pictures on Facebook in case I invited homophobia on myself. That line of thinking has rightly died a death in this country. Gone are the days where you were expected not to 'do what you liked in the house but not do it in the street and frighten the horses'. We have Pride now. The same is not really true if you're Jewish.

We rightly don't compare racism and homophobia. (Hey, which one is worse?! What if you're affected by both, which stings more, what a pointless question?) I'd bloody love it if antisemitism was actually taken seriously by the left in this country, as seriously as homophobia. Being Jewish is not a costume, it is not comparable to having red hair and there is a deep, deep history of atrocities against our people to show that. Travellers are being put into a very similar position by this harmful and polarising rhetoric. It needs to stop

So we've not only got antisemitism being minimised but the targetted rape of white girls - all in the name of battling to see who is oppressed the most. Yuck. I'm not engaging with certain posters, any further.

So you won’t admit that those men held racist views? They chose white girls for a reason - due to the colour of their skin. Due to deep rooted views on white girls. That’s racism.

Why are we comparing levels of racism? We don’t have to. We can accept that all prejudice is wrong on all levels and we need to do everything to stamp all of it out. And that includes men seeing white girls as rape targets due to the colour of their skin.

No monopoly, yeah - more like some folks own the whole damn casino, rig the slot machines, and still act surprised when everyone else keeps losing.

I politely disagree.

I (and I think a lot of people) truly believe there was a race angle. It they’d have been a different race (say black?) I’m not sure you’d stick to your current reasoning.

The reports I’ve read have many exerts from victims who were called white whores, white slags etc. White was mentioned a lot by victims.

Back to the original topic. Have a nice evening.

That quote is absolutely vile, no question. And the men who said it held deeply racialised and misogynistic views. Not one person here is excusing that. But one group of predators expressing hateful views doesn't rewrite the definition of racism as a systemic force. Individual prejudice, even when racialised, isn't the same as structural oppression. If it were, then every hateful comment would carry the same weight as centuries of institutionalised inequality—and I think we both know that's not how power works.

In fact, I'm starting to think DA has made an appearance.

The monopoly on racism isn't owned by one group.

Ah yes, the classic move - when all else fails, summon Jewish suffering as a rhetorical shield. Because acknowledging anti-Black racism apparently requires a full detour through every other oppression first. Impressive footwork, honestly.

‘White girls are for rape’ was one particular quote that stood out to me regarding Rotheram. That will be due to deep rooted views on white girls. That’s racism.

And you’re right, one doesn’t negate the other. So we need to accept that Rotheram was also related to aspects of racism.

Isn’t this from a couple of years ago?

I think there are going to be differences in different kinds of racism - inevitably- but it’s probably not worth pointing out, as they’re all equally awful.

And tbh I think most people can tell quite quickly when someone is from a different racial/ ethnic background, especially those who are disposed to be prejudiced against them.

What about when it knocks on Jews' doors? That's the whole point of this thread.

Plenty of antisemitism on this thread as well.

Right—because racism only counts once it knocks on your front door. Got it.

I stand by what I said. Abbot was almost annoyed that Jewish people were claiming racism, as if only Black people were allowed to feel that way. Ironically by trying to stand up to racism against one group of people, she was then minimising another group of people’s experiences. The antisemitism she has displayed previously was there, just beneath the surface….

Your reality - not mine.

You're right that the Equality Act protects all racial groups from discrimination - including white people. And yes, calling anyone a racial slur is wrong. But the Equality Act doesn’t erase power structures or history. It’s one thing to be called something offensive, and another to live under a system where your race systematically affects your opportunities, treatment, and safety.
Saying 'white slag' is racist in a moment. But racism as a system isn’t just about isolated insults—it’s about consistent patterns of disadvantage. And that’s where Black and brown people face the sharpest edge. That’s not an attack on white people - it’s just reality.

Ffs. I give up.

The irony of this post.