Page 15 | If you live in England and are not white are you considering leaving the country?

GreyingSunshine · 2025-08-29T00:20:54+00:00

I'm really starting to worry about our future here now that anti immigration / nationalistic feelings are running so high. Our town is full of flags, reform is on the rise (and is pushing everyone, including the other parties further and further to the right) and every day there is news of some sort of anti immigration / anti asylum seekers / stop the boats protest. Dh has said for the first time ever that he doesn't feel safe anymore when out and about. I worry about the kids' future. They were born here and consider themselves British but what if a large proportion of the population doesn't? I feel it's just going to get worse. I don't really want to leave. I have lived here for more than 20 years. I feel at home here. My kids are at home here. We have a massive mortgage and I don't really fancy starting all over again now that I'm in my mid forties. Also, not sure where we could go as the whole world seems to be becoming more right wing and intolerant and more importantly we obviously both would need to find new jobs first. Is anyone else worried? Is anyone else considering emigrating? At what point would you say that we (as in anyone visibly not ethnic English or Anglo saxons or whatever, ie not white) need to get out?

PollyPaintsFlowers · 01/09/2025 19:52

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 01/09/2025 19:26

Do you know how long the waiting list is to learn English?
are you aware that the previous government slashed funding for English classes?

Maybe that has had an impact?

If you have experienced racism then of course you’ll congregate together.

I always remember a story I was told of an Asian family moving into north Liverpool. The residents proudly told me they intimidated the new residents enough to move. (“Oh but of course, you’re alright”)

This isn’t a simple issue. It’s multi faceted. A global problem. When countries like Pakistan and Turkey asked the international community for funds to help with their numbers of asylum seekers the response wasn’t positive.

Edited

What's the waiting list to wear the clothes of the country you want to settle in rather than the one you wanted to leave behind? If you want to live in the UK why make your area look like the one you left behind?

Or the waiting list to not drive teachers into permanent hiding because the laws of your religion aren't compatible with the laws of the country you want to live in, how long is that one?

If people want to live in the UK they should assimilate and not bring about social division. Diversity isn't our strength, social cohesion is, with shared moral and community values. It's absolutely normal for UK citizens to want the UK to look like the UK and not have other cultures imposed on them.

And while we're talking about acceptance and tolerance in the UK, the elephant in the room should be discussed. The number of poc preaching hate and violence towards Jews, which is also a form of racism

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 01/09/2025 20:05

Assimilate how? These people have fled their homes. Now what do you want to happen?

I’m a poc. I’m not preaching hate about anybody.

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 01/09/2025 20:08

When my dad was invited / poached to come to the uk (as he had a skill set / profession in demand) he spoke perfect English , dressed like a young English man. Guess what? He couldn’t get accommodation, had racist slurs flung at him. He loved the English language and culture. He assimilated. He wasn’t welcomed.

suburburban · 01/09/2025 20:09

PollyPaintsFlowers · 01/09/2025 19:52

What's the waiting list to wear the clothes of the country you want to settle in rather than the one you wanted to leave behind? If you want to live in the UK why make your area look like the one you left behind?

Or the waiting list to not drive teachers into permanent hiding because the laws of your religion aren't compatible with the laws of the country you want to live in, how long is that one?

If people want to live in the UK they should assimilate and not bring about social division. Diversity isn't our strength, social cohesion is, with shared moral and community values. It's absolutely normal for UK citizens to want the UK to look like the UK and not have other cultures imposed on them.

And while we're talking about acceptance and tolerance in the UK, the elephant in the room should be discussed. The number of poc preaching hate and violence towards Jews, which is also a form of racism

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Yes the anti semitism is not good

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 01/09/2025 20:12

suburburban · 01/09/2025 20:09

Yes the anti semitism is not good

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But this isn’t by asylum seekers only.

I heared a group of white men shout remarks outside a Jewish school.

of course it’s wrong from whoever said it.

suburburban · 01/09/2025 20:12

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 01/09/2025 20:12

But this isn’t by asylum seekers only.

I heared a group of white men shout remarks outside a Jewish school.

of course it’s wrong from whoever said it.

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Yes totally awful

SleeplessInWherever · 01/09/2025 20:12

PollyPaintsFlowers · 01/09/2025 19:43

Just aswell I was talking about poor assimilation instead of personal impact then

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Still don’t know why you’re bothered.

Someone else living alongside me in their own culture doesn’t impact my life in any way. We don’t have to do the same things.

Them speaking to each other in their language doesn’t change my ability to speak English. My friends and general social group doesn’t change because someone else is able to speak a different language with theirs either.

PollyPaintsFlowers · 01/09/2025 20:29

SleeplessInWherever · 01/09/2025 20:12

Still don’t know why you’re bothered.

Someone else living alongside me in their own culture doesn’t impact my life in any way. We don’t have to do the same things.

Them speaking to each other in their language doesn’t change my ability to speak English. My friends and general social group doesn’t change because someone else is able to speak a different language with theirs either.

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It's lovely that you're unaffected, plenty of others are

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 01/09/2025 21:05

PollyPaintsFlowers · 01/09/2025 20:29

It's lovely that you're unaffected, plenty of others are

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How’re you affected? I’m curious.

Fuckish · 01/09/2025 21:21

PollyPaintsFlowers · 01/09/2025 19:52

What's the waiting list to wear the clothes of the country you want to settle in rather than the one you wanted to leave behind? If you want to live in the UK why make your area look like the one you left behind?

Or the waiting list to not drive teachers into permanent hiding because the laws of your religion aren't compatible with the laws of the country you want to live in, how long is that one?

If people want to live in the UK they should assimilate and not bring about social division. Diversity isn't our strength, social cohesion is, with shared moral and community values. It's absolutely normal for UK citizens to want the UK to look like the UK and not have other cultures imposed on them.

And while we're talking about acceptance and tolerance in the UK, the elephant in the room should be discussed. The number of poc preaching hate and violence towards Jews, which is also a form of racism

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What would ‘looking like the UK’ like?

Original poster

GreyingSunshine · 01/09/2025 22:26

Holluschickie · 30/08/2025 22:38

Pointing out the derailing posts on this thread is not bullying. As OP appears to have gone silent.

There were posts by pp who have experienced actual racist attacks. Not me, mind you, as I am insulated by virtue of being in London. Buried completely under the avalanche of derailing.

I have read some of the posts. To be honest the thread has become slightly too busy for me and as you pointed out most posts are not about what I asked.

I don't want to discuss whether concerns about immigration are justifiable or not. I wanted to know if other people of colour are worried about their or their family's future in this country ( though I'm very grateful to the people who pointed out the number of counter protesters as I wasn't aware of that and I'm grateful to the white British who just see me and other immigrants as people rather than a problem that needs to be solved)

OP posts:

Original poster

GreyingSunshine · 01/09/2025 22:42

ThatRoseBear · 29/08/2025 16:58

OP the current situation is worrying me. My eldest is going to University next month and I have spoken to him about safety. He is 18 and of Indian heritage. He is a prime target for racist thugs who will not stop to ask him whether he is British born or an illegal immigrant. I have previously ( years ago) had P*is shouted at my self and my young children by a complete stranger. It terrifies me that my son could be a target by the virtue of his appearance. He has always attended a school within walking distance so this is the first time he is venturing out. He has been showing me the England flags all over our city. He is proud to be British but we both know that the England flag is being pushed by the far right at this point in time to regain control of 'their' country.
It's awful that my parents experienced racism when they first came in the early 70s and are now in fear of it again in their twilight years

I'm sorry to hear that. Who are the people who keep asking him whether he is an illegal immigrant? His class mates? Strangers? I hope he will be OK. Kids shouldn't have to deal with this shit. Actually no one should but I really wish our kids were spared this added unpleasantness.

I will never forget how I felt when a gang of teenagers that my dad and me were passing (when I was about 12 or 13) yelled 'Pakis out' and threw stones at us. More than anything I felt so shabby and just disliked for want of a better word. Like we were vermin. I never want my kids to feel that way.

OP posts:

ThatRoseBear · 06/09/2025 23:09

GreyingSunshine · 01/09/2025 22:42

I'm sorry to hear that. Who are the people who keep asking him whether he is an illegal immigrant? His class mates? Strangers? I hope he will be OK. Kids shouldn't have to deal with this shit. Actually no one should but I really wish our kids were spared this added unpleasantness.

I will never forget how I felt when a gang of teenagers that my dad and me were passing (when I was about 12 or 13) yelled 'Pakis out' and threw stones at us. More than anything I felt so shabby and just disliked for want of a better word. Like we were vermin. I never want my kids to feel that way.

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He hasn't been asked by anyone, it worries me that he may find himself in a situation where he is stereotyped. We have just been on holiday and come back to the flags up all over our area. It isn't innocent, it's sinister and making a point

JHound · 01/10/2025 18:03

What's the waiting list to wear the clothes of the country you want to settle in rather than the one you wanted to leave behind? If you want to live in the UK why make your area look like the one you left behind?

Dear God!!

People getting offended by clothes.
Clothes!!

suburberphobe · 01/10/2025 18:48

I am white and would leave if we ever had a Reform government.

Where would you go though? It's not like the world has open borders where anyone can go anywhere they like, except for a holiday.

Better to stay and fight fascism.

ViciousCurrentBun · 01/10/2025 20:14

I’m mixed, I’m not considering moving.

My Father was an immigrant and I think the UK if it doesn’t deal with immigration will end up a very racist place to live. When I was a girl around 5% of the UK was non white it’s now at 18% obviously that’s overall and in some places it will be tiny and in others far more.

I endured racism as a child and despise it but I can see why some are concerned with immigration numbers.

Cyclebabble · 01/10/2025 22:43

GreyingSunshine · 01/09/2025 22:42

I'm sorry to hear that. Who are the people who keep asking him whether he is an illegal immigrant? His class mates? Strangers? I hope he will be OK. Kids shouldn't have to deal with this shit. Actually no one should but I really wish our kids were spared this added unpleasantness.

I will never forget how I felt when a gang of teenagers that my dad and me were passing (when I was about 12 or 13) yelled 'Pakis out' and threw stones at us. More than anything I felt so shabby and just disliked for want of a better word. Like we were vermin. I never want my kids to feel that way.

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I am ethnically Indian DH is white. Our kids and relative’s kids have been asked if they are illegal immigrants in the last couple of weeks when being out in a supermarket. The area where we live has a hotel which is being used to house asylum seekers. We have not really seen stuff like this historically in our area of rural Norfolk. From my perspective life is getting tougher and quite quickly. It does concern us and most of the Asian women I know are now much more careful when they go out in the evening

JHound · 02/10/2025 15:56

ViciousCurrentBun · 01/10/2025 20:14

I’m mixed, I’m not considering moving.

My Father was an immigrant and I think the UK if it doesn’t deal with immigration will end up a very racist place to live. When I was a girl around 5% of the UK was non white it’s now at 18% obviously that’s overall and in some places it will be tiny and in others far more.

I endured racism as a child and despise it but I can see why some are concerned with immigration numbers.

Are you conflating “non-white” with “foreign born”? Re your percentages?

You seem to be using “non-white” and “immigrant” interchangeably.

Batoutofhellish · 14/11/2025 06:50

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 29/08/2025 02:12

Yet you have to wonder why the media still gives wall-to-wall coverage of the protests, endless air time to a politician whose party has 4MPs, while totally ignoring the counter-protests.

Same thing happened in Scotland last week. In Perth we had one of the first serious "anti-immigration" protests Scotland has seen. Not only were most of the protestors bussed in from elsewhere, but they were also significantly outnumbered by counter-protestors, yet just going by mainstream media you'd have no idea there actually was a counter-protest present at all.

The recent explosion in anti-immigration rhetoric and media amplification of it is, obviously, deeply concerning, but it's hugely suspicious just how much it's dominating the media when the discourse is at odds with how the majority still view the matter, and it's being led by a tiny minority party four years out from an election. It's especially egregious when even the BBC, supposedly a bastion of "balance" and impartiality are giving endless coverage to Reform that is in no way commensurate with their elected presence.

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Absolutely agree