Riots causing me (Muslim female) anxiety.

[Mavan1984]

I am a Muslim hijab wearing woman (born and brought up in this country). I have 3 kids under the age of 16 and the riots are causing me a great deal of anxiety. Me and dh had planned to take the kids out this weekend but we cancelled because we didn't think it was safe. I feel like we are better off just staying at home throughout the summer to protect ourselves and the kids.

I have had racist comments made at me before, but I don't want my kids to experience this. I feel like the rioting will empower others to be openly racist. I experienced this when 9/11 happened and I am just so scared because this time it feels a lot worse.

Me and dh were born to immigrant parents who worked very hard in menial jobs to educate us. We both have professional careers, but at this moment in time I feel like none of this matters and we are being attacked. Will it get any better? How can I protect my family?

A lot of my Muslim friends are feeling the same and it feels as though we have a very bleak future in this country.

I’m really sorry to read this. I don’t know what to say other than I hope it will get better. I live in a very multicultural/diverse part of London and we haven’t had any trouble. What part of the country do you live in? Some of the news reporting from some towns looks awful. It must be so upsetting for you.

I’m so sorry this is being directed at your community but take heart of the wonderful positive stories at the minute of communities coming together. The tensions at the minute will hopefully settle soon but in the meantime you are right to be a bit extra cautious. Take care x

I live I the North close to some of the towns/cities where the riots are taking place.

I'm scared to go out walking or using public transport. I'm worried when my DC or DH go out alone.

Both me and DH have work tomorrow, we both work in a city where some of the rioting has taken place. I am scared to go into work tomorrow.

I am so sorry. These racist thugs do not speak for the majority of us, but I absolutely recognise your fear that this will encourage expression of racist views. Politicians stoking up xenophobia have a lot to answer for. I think what we need in the first instance is consistent heavy rain, as rioters tend not to be very hardy. And in the longer term the silent majority becoming less silent that this is not in our name. You should not have to keep yourselves safe by hiding away, but obviously your safety and that of your children is paramount. Be safe.

In my mind I know that the majority of people don't support what's gone on this weekend but knowing that there are people out there who hate people like me makes me feel so sad for myself and my kids.

I don't blame you this is beyond hideous.
Things will definitely calm down but this is beyond awful
Remember this could be agaisnt anyone, it's just today's calling. I bet only a very small minority are actually racist.
They are mostly angry idiots with nothing better to do.

We have had race riots before and I think summer heat plays a part plus riots often happen after long periods of cuts to services. I unfortunately think it's a feature of unfettered capitalism where we have an uber rich class combined with fewer opportunities etc. It's disgusting though and I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry and it's not the country I want either.

I am so sorry to read this , i actually feel ashamed to be a white woman in Britain today.
I hope that i am right in thinking that the vast majority of British people do not condone what is happening .
These low life scum have not got the ability or intelligence to see beyond their bigotry , i also believe they are rioting for the fun of it more than anything.
We certainly need peace and acceptance more than ever at the moment.

I'm so sorry. Those rioters are an absolute disgrace. I hope it helps to hear that I literally don't know a single person in real life who has any truck with any of this BS whatsoever - every single person I know is disgusted and horrified and embarrassed by them. There are a few ignorant eejits on MN but honestly it's NOT the majority.

I hope your kids are ok.

Just adding another voice to say I’m so sorry the current situation is making you feel this way. What an awful world we are living in. Please take comfort from the fact most people will not be supporting these idiots in the news.

I am so sorry you have to deal with this.
I said to DH yesterday that if DS was't white I would be worried about him hanging out with his friends at the park right now.
Please don't think these racist thugs speak for all of us

I am so sorry they are an ignorant mindless majority, it will pass

Minority

I am so sorry that these idiots are making you feel unsafe. I can only imagine how you are feeling right now. Most people here and more widely absolutely condemn the current violence and consider it abhorrent.

I can only promise that I will speak up if I see this happening before me. I will not bow down to this hostility. And I will support all those who are being targeted, whoever and wherever they may be.

I am so sorry. They are a disgrace.

i actually feel ashamed to be a white woman in Britain today.

No need to make this about yourself, also why do you feel ashamed to be a white woman- as everyone is always told, it's vital to remember that the actions of the few don't represent an entire group of people.

OP it is awful and sorry you're feeling like this, hopefully the government and local authorities make decent decisions in the coming hours and days to make these areas safe and to reassure you. As you say, the majority of people are decent and although that doesn't diminish how scared you feel, hopefully it does give some hope. From a practical point of view, can you work from home tomorrow? Do you have a decent employer who would understand your hesitance?

Im So sorry you feel like this.

please know that many most people have absolutely no ill wishes to you.

I would have hoped this shit wouldn’t still be a thing I mean it’s 2024 for goodness sake!

I grew up in a mixed race family, I am mixed race. I experienced racism as a younger person (infact we had to be moved out with police protection in an emergency situation after the police had an anonymous warning that our house was going to be firebombed when I was a teen but what happened to us is extremely extremely rare and unusual, most people will never have to experience that) and still occasionally see racism in my adulthood but much less so than when I was growing up.
my youngest nieces best friend from Sri Lanka is dealing with racism issues at primary school right now which my mother is trying to help and support her family to deal with.

it’s awful and it deserves NO PLACE in our society!

I know it’s easy to say but try not to let it stop you living your lives. You and your family deserve to live life exactly like everyone else.

im just can’t explain to you how angry I am for you, I wish I could give you a big hug and tell you things will be ok and you don’t deserve to experience this or feel this way.

No decent person supports these riots. Looting, shouting racist bile, attacking anyone that looks different to them, setting cars on fire and attacking the police. People on here saying its because immigration is out of control are racists. There is NO excuse for these riots. Tiktok has a lot to answer for. The amount of racism on there is wild.

Stay safe. If that means staying in while it all cools down, then so be it. Don't feel bad about that. Stay safe.

What do you mean?

I'm sorry you're feeling like this. I totally understand your concern. My sister received racist abuse at school and it's always stuck with her. She's 1/4 Pakistani and her skin is just ever so slightly darker than most "white" skin so I dread to think what people who are darker skinned or who wear hijabs/other religious attire have to put up with.

I wish we could round up all the racists and launch them into the sun.

It's easy to see the news, read social media and think there's millions of people that share their views, but whenever they mobilise their numbers are dwarfed by counter demonstrators. Even amongst the white working-class, they're a minority, despite what people would have you believe.

I wanted to add that while it doesn’t change things.

i can guarantee that a number of these violent thugs are using this as an easy way to cause destruction and mayhem but the actual number of these crowds who truly on a day to day level hate people like you will be much smaller than it looks on the news.

that is not to say the fact they are there and participating in this are not absolutely disgusting and are racist im just trying to say that when some of these people go home and back to their lives this will not be how they behave when on the bus or going to the shop or to strangers in the street.

im not sure if what I mean is coming across well and if it isn’t please don’t think I am in any even the tiniest way excusing the disgusting behaviour being displayed in what is meant to be our modern multicultural society!

What is that supposed to mean?

Sorry to read this Op. Most people, the news, the government are all condemning this minority. More people stand with you than against you. It’s funny because Britain has been full of ‘immigrants’ for thousands of years! We wouldn’t have a functioning NHS or farming industry without immigration, we owe a lot of immigrants.