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To Think The UK is a Racist Country and the racism is deeply ingrained.

386 replies

ACoolDad · 11/10/2015 17:25

For the last couple of weeks BBC Three has been running documentaries about racism and racial tensions in the U.K and USA. This week we saw a program called "Is Britain Racist?" it failed to prove much apart from black men are seen as more likely to steal from shops and women in Burka's are more likely to face verbal abuse.

As a second generation Black Briton from Jamaica, I have faced racism many times, I do believe the UK is a racist country but it is a in the closet type of racism that is hard to prove. The UK unlike the USA has a type of racism in which few people are openly racist, but racism is deeply ingrained into are mindsets as the program explored.

The presenter who comes across as a very anti racist person still perceived black people as dangerous sub consciously when she had her brain scanned. You have to ask why? You have to ask why black people have been sub consciously viewed as angry, violent and criminals.

I am so proud of my family and my black, mixed and white children and stepchildren. My family represent the tolerant modern Britain that we have and should be proud of.

My son aged 15 was stopped and searched two weeks ago. My white stepson aged 15 has never been stopped and searched, despite them wearing similar clothes, my black son has been profiled by the same mentality explored in the documentary. The type of racism is so difficult to fight as it is so difficult to prove it is racism.

Britain comes across as a country that is improving in terms of race, but I believe certain people and aspects of the media always have to push the idea of white supremacy in different forms. In the past it was considered that black individuals were considered less intelligent now it is considered blacks are more likely to be criminals.

It would be interesting to hear what you think.

OP posts:
Alisvolatpropiis · 12/10/2015 21:26

I don't think all the "yeah but..." posts are helpful.

I'm not saying they're invalid but it is coming across as though white people can't just discuss the issue raised by the op.

What happened in Rotherham was awful, but it is not relevant to this thread.

crystalgall · 12/10/2015 21:27

Once again, this thread is about systemic and ingrained racism which affects BME people in the UK

Grazia1984 · 12/10/2015 21:28

No one has said there isn't discrimination against black people. I am sure most of us want to stop it. Tell us what to do and we'll do it. I gave my advice - learn received pronunciation, get posh and life is a lot easier whatever your skin colour.

AnotherEpisode · 12/10/2015 21:30

Crystal I'm getting to that point of exhaustion and that's just from reading the comments. You can take a horse to water and all of that!

crystalgall · 12/10/2015 21:30

It's just typical of the insidious racism we experience in real life. Just shut up and be quiet...stop stirring...stop making everyone uncomfortable.

BME people aren't allowed to discuss how they feel about being a minority, about living with ingrained racism, about knowing their skin colour is the first thing people see. We aren't allowed to express our resentment or anger without coming across as aggressive. We aren't allowed to express the view that the racism we experience is different to those of white people.

Please read the links posted above.

Egosumquisum · 12/10/2015 21:31

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crystalgall · 12/10/2015 21:31

FFS Grazia you want to tell black kids on Hackney council estates to learn RP and get posh? What fricking world are you from?

Bambambini · 12/10/2015 21:32

grazia - that shouldn't really be the answer -yes, let's encourage more narrow mindedness and prejudice. Maybe they could bleach their skin and iron their hair as well - just to make sure.

crystalgall · 12/10/2015 21:33

Another I feel you. Continuous comments which try to detract from an issue that is real to us, as though we are making it up Confused

Egosumquisum · 12/10/2015 21:34

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Egosumquisum · 12/10/2015 21:39

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AnotherEpisode · 12/10/2015 21:39

Sorry Ego I overlooked your last post. I wouldn't understate your position in his ability to 'see' though. I think that 50% of what white people can do in improving race relations is admit and understand white privilege and its effects. The ability to listen is something that most white people in experience dont have and if he has that, it's something! Quite a big something!

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 12/10/2015 21:40

I'd like to think that racism isn't a problem in the UK. But I know this is naive. After all, I've certainly experienced sexism - therefore I would be foolish to believe that racism doesn't exist.

Egosumquisum · 12/10/2015 21:43

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Alisvolatpropiis · 12/10/2015 21:44

I listen, Another and educate myself. It is very eye opening indeed, because of course as a white woman living in the UK, I can never know what it is like to be discriminated against on the basis of my skin colour.

I accept without question, that if a BME person feels they have been discriminated against, then that is the case. It isn't my place to tell them how they feel. The same way it isn't a man's place to tell a woman that no actually, that wasn't sexism.

AnotherEpisode · 12/10/2015 21:46

Ego it think your being too sympathetic to Grazia's suggestions. I rarely hear comments so stupid, insignificant and actually racist!

Of all the things we can do to overcome racism we should learn to speak properly. Victim blaming aside, why the presumption that the MAJORITY of black people don't speak properly. How do you describe the 'lack' of racism received from white people that don't sound posh. I'm seeing the emergence of that other racist thing which is how much harder blacks have to work to be seen at the same level as thier white counterparts.

And she STILL clearly hasn't read the articles. I am promising myself again I will completely ignore her from here on in.

crystalgall · 12/10/2015 21:47

Thank you Alisvolatpropiis

AnotherEpisode · 12/10/2015 21:52

Yes thank you Ali and Ego.

Ego I am completely ignorant to the experiences of trans people and largely homosexuals. I hope I am able to understand the individual plight of others with an open heart as you have done to ours.

Please note I was not grouping trans and homosexuality and I hope my terms have been ok!

Shit this new ground stuff is nerve-racking! Grin

Egosumquisum · 12/10/2015 21:54

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BoneyBackJefferson · 12/10/2015 22:14

BrandNewAndImproved

that is the case but if that person says that to every white woman (or similar to a white man) does that not make them a racist?

BedTimeNow · 12/10/2015 22:16

I'm really glad that this thread is here so we can discuss the issues of race.

I've had 3 different managers in 3 different jobs all pull me aside to tell me that they when they first met me they thought I would be 'rude' or 'difficult' but actually I'm 'alright'. I just smiled and said I get that all the time.

deep down I just want to shout "just because of my skin tone it doesn't mean Ive got attitude or that I'm aggressive or rude". it really gets to me but I really don't know what to do as I need a job, and as sad as it is I wouldn't want to make it awkward for me or the managers in the workplace.

Egosumquisum · 12/10/2015 22:18

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SenecaFalls · 12/10/2015 22:22

Here is a discussion that contains some very thoughtful and insightful posts that I think many people on this thread might find interesting and get some benefit from.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/2316090-Feminism-for-women-of-colour

MrsTerryPratchett · 12/10/2015 22:26

I just smiled and said I get that all the time. Which is what I think every time someone goes on about how their mate doesn't mind "Pki" and their local restaurant is fine with "Chnky" and my FIL talking about how his only Black friend down the pits was fine with the N word.

Yeah, everyone is happy as anything. Because what would happen if those people made a fuss, if you made a fuss? Would all the white people around you/them say, "gosh yes, we have been utter knobbers, please accept our total apology"?

Egosumquisum · 12/10/2015 22:29

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.