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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think that racism is getting a lot worse of late.

898 replies

AliceMaforethought · 20/08/2025 18:13

Just read this awful story in the Guardian. Awful and makes me feel so angry and so unsafe as a half Black woman.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/20/family-in-fear-after-tommy-robinson-shares-video-of-black-man-with-white-granddaughters

OP posts:
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11
ForWittyTealOP · 21/08/2025 12:58

Bushmillsbabe · 21/08/2025 12:43

I lived there for 15 years, and have worked there for about 20, it really isn't a wonderful city. Yes the very centre, zone 1 has some great museums, theatre, restaurants, architecture, parks. But outside of that is is crowded, dirty, noisy, with people who act aggressively, pushing and shoving others out the way, not making eye contact.

Nonsense!

Bushmillsbabe · 21/08/2025 12:53

Chickenbone123 · 21/08/2025 12:28

Thats not what the majority are saying. There is that faction yes. But as you say it’s very small.

I seem to be very centered in terms of distribution of people I talk to. I grew up in a home county. Very well off. Elite perhaps even. White majority. Went to university met a wide range of people. Had a drug problem so met a huge variation in class. Lived in northern cities, southern cities. Now live in a multicultural midlands town and have worked in low wage jobs like care.

Immigration and its related topics (integration, public services, culture, religion, crime, two tier society) is being talked about across the entirety of this spectrum. It’s not just the far right. It’s not just white people. It’s not just lower class, or higher class. Not the right only, or the left. EVERYONE is talking about this. And the majority are not happy with the status quo.

If I was to sum up what people are saying it’s that integration is a problem, 1 million a year net migration is too much, we should not have large groups of men in hotels, the boats are a problem, Islam has a high propensity to radicalise people and that’s a problem, misogyny and male violence is a problem, crime is a problem, housing is a problem, police seem entirely ineffective, there does appear to be many tiers in society on various fronts.

So it’s a collective discussion that does need to be had sensibly. With politicians actually listening. Or things like this are the result.

I wonder if we should introduce quotas into asylum claims (I'm sure I will be shot down), for certain numbers of makes, females, children etc. I absolutely accept that people are fleeing terrible dangerous conditions, with war, famine, persecution. But I struggle to comprehend why, if it's so dangerous that they need to leave, that men are leaving their women and children behind, whether that's their wives,sisters, nieces/nephews, own children. If it's so dangerous there, that getting in a small boat is felt to be less dangerous than staying. If we could only afford to send a couple of people, 100% my husband would send me and our daughter.

cardibach · 21/08/2025 12:51

Hereforthecommentz · 20/08/2025 22:32

London is a crime riddled hell hole

Not in my experience. Always have a lovely time when I visit. I don’t stay 8n the pretty bits either.

PhilippaGeorgiou · 21/08/2025 12:50

@Chickenbone123 EVERYONE is talking about this. And the majority are not happy with the status quo.

The problem being, as these threads continue to demonstrate. Talking about something and knowing what you are talking about are not remotely the same thing.
E.g.
"They aren't genuine asylum seekers" - well actually the figures show that some 70% of the are.

And to be fair, I am also not happy with the status quo. Doesn't mean I agree with you, because I don't.

piscofrisco · 21/08/2025 12:49

In our town the roundabouts and lampposts are being bedecked with St George’s flags ‘in a protest against immigration’. It’s making me incredibly uncomfortable. No one knows who is behind it but it’s all over a large area. I would hazard a guess that the people doing it can’t even spell immigration tbh.

Bushmillsbabe · 21/08/2025 12:43

MiloMinderbinder925 · 20/08/2025 22:34

You should leave your rock now and again and visit. It's a wonderful city.

I lived there for 15 years, and have worked there for about 20, it really isn't a wonderful city. Yes the very centre, zone 1 has some great museums, theatre, restaurants, architecture, parks. But outside of that is is crowded, dirty, noisy, with people who act aggressively, pushing and shoving others out the way, not making eye contact.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 21/08/2025 12:42

Chickenbone123 · 21/08/2025 12:28

Thats not what the majority are saying. There is that faction yes. But as you say it’s very small.

I seem to be very centered in terms of distribution of people I talk to. I grew up in a home county. Very well off. Elite perhaps even. White majority. Went to university met a wide range of people. Had a drug problem so met a huge variation in class. Lived in northern cities, southern cities. Now live in a multicultural midlands town and have worked in low wage jobs like care.

Immigration and its related topics (integration, public services, culture, religion, crime, two tier society) is being talked about across the entirety of this spectrum. It’s not just the far right. It’s not just white people. It’s not just lower class, or higher class. Not the right only, or the left. EVERYONE is talking about this. And the majority are not happy with the status quo.

If I was to sum up what people are saying it’s that integration is a problem, 1 million a year net migration is too much, we should not have large groups of men in hotels, the boats are a problem, Islam has a high propensity to radicalise people and that’s a problem, misogyny and male violence is a problem, crime is a problem, housing is a problem, police seem entirely ineffective, there does appear to be many tiers in society on various fronts.

So it’s a collective discussion that does need to be had sensibly. With politicians actually listening. Or things like this are the result.

There are nearly 70m in the UK, how do you know that they're all talking about immigration?

Why are the people you know talking about immigration and only immigration? How come they're not talking about the effects of austerity and lack of investment for example? Why are they soley focused on foreigners?

Why is crime being blamed on foreigners? Why not a crumbling judicial system, failing prison service, lack of probation staff, lack of police and massive back log in cases?

Why are foreigners being blamed for domestic violence and misogyny in the UK? Women are predominantly abused and sexually assaulted by people they know and stranger attacks are rare.

Why are foreigners being blamed for lack of housing? How come all these people you know aren't discussing right to buy, deregulation of BTL and lack of investment in affordable housing?

drspouse · 21/08/2025 12:36

BuildingAshes · 21/08/2025 12:06

Eh? Have you read the pp? This man was saying was the most hateful, racist things on his Instagram, but to you he's just a man documenting his country walks... Make it make sense 🤷

No, they were comments TO this man not BY this man.

Wishing14 · 21/08/2025 12:35

@Chickenbone123spot on!

BuildingAshes · 21/08/2025 12:34

stakebeak · 21/08/2025 12:32

You’re welcome ☺️ I have to admit when I read the original post I thought the same😂

😂

stakebeak · 21/08/2025 12:32

BuildingAshes · 21/08/2025 12:28

Ahhhhh, thank you for clearing that up. 😄

You’re welcome ☺️ I have to admit when I read the original post I thought the same😂

ForWittyTealOP · 21/08/2025 12:29

lkjhgfdsa · 21/08/2025 11:51

Indeed, the only refugee I know is a maths teacher. What a drain on society!

My colleague is a refugee and she's applying for a new job. I don't know how I'll cope without her - she knows everything! Imagine thinking that refugees and migrants are a subspecies, subsidised by the kinds of people who have time to stand around shouting at hotels 🤣

Chickenbone123 · 21/08/2025 12:28

MiloMinderbinder925 · 21/08/2025 12:12

@Chickenbone123

The whole thing is quite dangerous I agree. What’s the resolution? Trying to stamp on this again and make these people shut up. I don’t think that’s going to work. At best it will for a short period. It will then erupt again on a greater scale next time. And we repeat the process.

There will always be people who don't want foreigners in the country and who want Britain white. What's the resolution? Those on the far right are calling for mass deportation, remigration, putting people in tents and sending people back to countries where they're at risk of harm.

Our British decency and tolerance is how part of this issue has developed.

That's part of the far right narrative which talks about white genocide, suicidal empathy, a coming race war, "indigenous" people being out bred by Muslims and an invasion of fighting age men ie the Great Replacement theory.

British decency and tolerance is expressed by how few people are joining in far right protests and riots considering how widespread and pernicious these views now are. That's something to be proud of.

Thats not what the majority are saying. There is that faction yes. But as you say it’s very small.

I seem to be very centered in terms of distribution of people I talk to. I grew up in a home county. Very well off. Elite perhaps even. White majority. Went to university met a wide range of people. Had a drug problem so met a huge variation in class. Lived in northern cities, southern cities. Now live in a multicultural midlands town and have worked in low wage jobs like care.

Immigration and its related topics (integration, public services, culture, religion, crime, two tier society) is being talked about across the entirety of this spectrum. It’s not just the far right. It’s not just white people. It’s not just lower class, or higher class. Not the right only, or the left. EVERYONE is talking about this. And the majority are not happy with the status quo.

If I was to sum up what people are saying it’s that integration is a problem, 1 million a year net migration is too much, we should not have large groups of men in hotels, the boats are a problem, Islam has a high propensity to radicalise people and that’s a problem, misogyny and male violence is a problem, crime is a problem, housing is a problem, police seem entirely ineffective, there does appear to be many tiers in society on various fronts.

So it’s a collective discussion that does need to be had sensibly. With politicians actually listening. Or things like this are the result.

BuildingAshes · 21/08/2025 12:28

stakebeak · 21/08/2025 12:24

No, the man (forgive me, I can’t remember where he’s from, but he lives in the UK) is posting videos of him hiking with his daughter.
The comments YourFavouriteFalafel posted are not comments he’s made, they’re comments he’s received 🙂

Ahhhhh, thank you for clearing that up. 😄

Shakeoffyourchains · 21/08/2025 12:25

PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock · 20/08/2025 19:05

FFS! These dickheads conveniently forget the worst paedophile in British history was fucking white!

They also seem to forget that their lord and saviour Tommy Ten Names publicly defended a paedophile friend, describing him as a "top bloke, who'd been stitched up" after he was convicted of making and distributing child porn.

Not to mention the upward of 100 other convicted paedos he used to associate with during his EDL days. But we all know it's never been about protecting children for that lot.

stakebeak · 21/08/2025 12:24

BuildingAshes · 21/08/2025 12:06

Eh? Have you read the pp? This man was saying was the most hateful, racist things on his Instagram, but to you he's just a man documenting his country walks... Make it make sense 🤷

No, the man (forgive me, I can’t remember where he’s from, but he lives in the UK) is posting videos of him hiking with his daughter.
The comments YourFavouriteFalafel posted are not comments he’s made, they’re comments he’s received 🙂

PhilippaGeorgiou · 21/08/2025 12:18

@MiloMinderbinder925 There will always be people who don't want foreigners in the country and who want Britain white.

I am old enough to recall Norman Tebbits "cricket test" of Britishness with the implication that anyone who supported any other team than England should be deported. I immediately started supporting the West Indies. Regrettably I am still stuck with British weather...

NotAMessiahJustAVeryNaughtyBoy · 21/08/2025 12:13

Definitely seems to be getting worse- and this is from a white British woman so god only knows what PoC must be facing, including the anxiety of what might happen to them. That poor family in the article you linked OP. Tommy Robinson really is a disgusting and dangerous individual.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 21/08/2025 12:12

@Chickenbone123

The whole thing is quite dangerous I agree. What’s the resolution? Trying to stamp on this again and make these people shut up. I don’t think that’s going to work. At best it will for a short period. It will then erupt again on a greater scale next time. And we repeat the process.

There will always be people who don't want foreigners in the country and who want Britain white. What's the resolution? Those on the far right are calling for mass deportation, remigration, putting people in tents and sending people back to countries where they're at risk of harm.

Our British decency and tolerance is how part of this issue has developed.

That's part of the far right narrative which talks about white genocide, suicidal empathy, a coming race war, "indigenous" people being out bred by Muslims and an invasion of fighting age men ie the Great Replacement theory.

British decency and tolerance is expressed by how few people are joining in far right protests and riots considering how widespread and pernicious these views now are. That's something to be proud of.

BuildingAshes · 21/08/2025 12:06

CaptainMyCaptain · 21/08/2025 07:38

I follow his account, he is doing nothing wrong. Why shouldn't he walk in the countryside?

Eh? Have you read the pp? This man was saying was the most hateful, racist things on his Instagram, but to you he's just a man documenting his country walks... Make it make sense 🤷

Wishing14 · 21/08/2025 11:52

@thepariscrimefilesso a black person cannot be proud of their roots, heritage and culture either then?

Chickenbone123 · 21/08/2025 11:51

I saw that. It’s very sad.

I am not sure who I blame. If the conversation can’t be had sensibly by people across the spectrum; then you are going to have this led by social media wildfire, driven by far right. So in my eyes this is a collective failure.

There's much to be proud of about being British such as decency and tolerance.

And I think the Overton window has moved here too. Our British decency and tolerance is how part of this issue has developed. We are very slow/ careful to critique others who we see as having a culture other than British. And also very quick to criticise those who we see as British but don’t agree with. This is itself a form of strange racism.

With the above there’s all kinds of things wrapped up in that.

The whole thing is quite dangerous I agree. What’s the resolution? Trying to stamp on this again and make these people shut up. I don’t think that’s going to work. At best it will for a short period. It will then erupt again on a greater scale next time. And we repeat the process.

lkjhgfdsa · 21/08/2025 11:51

ForWittyTealOP · 21/08/2025 08:58

A rather vitriolic post. You seem angry. Why should refugees need to be subsidised once they're allowed to work? And what makes you pluck that particular figure from the air?

Indeed, the only refugee I know is a maths teacher. What a drain on society!

thepariscrimefiles · 21/08/2025 11:40

SpottyCheeseEater · 21/08/2025 10:36

Yes, well they get constant reminder that they are colonisers and slave drivers which I find pathetic. While there are still some form slavery today they are not in the UK. British today are not responsible for what wrong was done decades ago. And flying the flags is racist? I love seeing the UK flags everywhere. Outside the UK people love British culture. Here, people are embarrassed to be proudly British.

If you are British due to being born in the UK, I'm not sure why you should be proud of being British. You should be proud of your own personal achievements and of being a kind and compassionate person. Being proud of something that is purely due an accident of birth seems strange to me.

I can understand this more if you come to the UK as an adult and you pass the test to become a UK citizen as it has required effort and possibly some hardship on your part.

As a British citizen you can be proud of lots of things that Britain has achieved and less proud of other things, such as slavery and colonialism.

ForWittyTealOP · 21/08/2025 11:36

PhilippaGeorgiou · 21/08/2025 11:31

I don't entirely disagree with you, but you are naive if you think there is no slavery in modern day Britain. It is alive and well.

I do think that there is an intrinsic problem with some of the presentation of history - "the British" didn't do anything to others, per se. Half the time they were as busy fighting and subjugating themselves as they were elsewhere. It was the British ruling class who commanded and who benefitted. Any passing advantage that the vast majority of people got was only because those in powerful positions allowed it, just as they allowed (for example) a form of benefit for the Indian "middle classes" in managing their own country.

But lets be very honest. Flying the Union Jack has nothing to do any of that. Feeling ashamed of the Union Jack is something of a new phenonomen, and it is because the flag has been hijacked by racists. Perhaps we have allowed that to happen, but it is naive to claim anything else when it is worn, waved, tattooed, painted and otherwise prominantly displayed at events and activities that the vast majority of the population are ashamed of. Whatever your views of "immigration" or "asylum", are you proud that it is held aloft or painted on the faces of thugs who are attempting to burn people alive in their place of residence? Because I am not.

When I go past a home in Wales or Scotland, I see their flags displayed to indicate that they are proud of their heritage. Even if that is what people intend - and only that - in England, when I see the Union Flag or the cross of St George, my head goes straight to those images of thugs. People are not embarassed to be British. They aren't even largely embarassed by British history. They are very embarassed to be seen to have anything in common with jack-booted thugs, and for many of them that is what the Union flag has become associated with.

Maybe it is time to take back the flag.

I think nationalism, however well meant, is dangerous. I dislike seeing flags flying at all in every day life. I'm currently abroad and there's been a race so some houses have a number of flags outside. That doesn't feel threatening, but when I see any type of national flag on permanent display outside somebody's house I wonder how welcoming and inclusive that person really is.