to think racism is getting worse in light of recent world events?

[thefutureofpolitics]

I ask this as when I opened Mumsnet this morning, there were a few particularly unpleasant threads about the wearing of burka. Are there just some really bigoted people around or is it fear created by recent world events? To these people, would it not be better to understand different cultures and learn from them rather than to tar every Muslim with the same brush of fear and suspicion? There is good and bad in every race and cultural diversity in Britain is a great thing.

Discuss.

well good. I hate the other sort

and my genuine feelings are not "sentiments"

Is it only British people that can be racist then?

sillyshell speak sense. I am talking about comments by British racists.

anyway, if anyone is a bigot and hates my post, fair enough, happy to be hated.

Makes me feel sick and ashamed to be British.

Which country would make you feel proud to live in?

I've lived in many countries. I rather like it in the UK. It's tolerant to an extraordinary degree.

I'm interested to know where you think would be better? And if you would move there to increase your happiness?

it WAS tolerant, it doesn't seem to be now, from comments I read daily

They're two sides of the same coin.
They imply that nationality is something to be 'proud of' or 'ashamed of' rather than something that is completely coincidental. No one chooses what nationality they are,

Ok. I respect your opinion, maybe revisit what you read daily

But I'm interested to know where would make you proud to live.

Can I also ask if your sickness at being British means you believe all British people to hold sickening and shameful opinions?

well it is everywhere, the worst would be the Guardian Facebook page for some reason.

of course I don't think all do, not being a bigot, but makes me ashamed that so many seem to.

anyway at work so not got time to get into it, was answering OPs question :)

Go on, just a list of countries! Won't take two ticks. Or just the initials and we will guess!

But why are you ashamed? Are we some sort of collective, are you responsible for them/ their views? Do you feel responsible?
Because you feeling 'ashamed' to be British implies you feel some level of responsibility?
However I'm sure you would (rightly) condemn people who asked their Muslim next door neighbour to feel responsible/ashamed for the bombers?
I find the whole whole viewpoint hypocritical and, quite frankly, weird.

No, I'm not saying it is bigoted to disagree with burkas, I'm saying that what one religion / race may think odd is what another religion / race may find perfectly normal. And yes, there are good and bad points to every religion, but again, what one person finds intolerable, another person will find tolerable. It is all subjective isn't it ... which brings me back to the original point of is it not better to learn why people hold such values rather than to criticise them? Criticism without understanding first is bigoted. I'm not saying I agree with burkas but I'm not saying I disagree with them either. I would rather learn why such things are a part of a culture rather than to say that is right or wrong. It isn't my religion so who would I be to say that wearing a burka is right or wrong? To be honest, I was just very interested to hear different opinions.

disingenous, I think, OP.

makes me sick and ashamed of being British

Very tedious naval gazing bollocks.

Goneanddone - in my personal experience the most bigoted people have been guardian reading lefties who claim to be anti-racist but are anything but. The working classes often have a more live and let live attitude.

OP, I think if you're genuinely interested there will be a thousand different answers as there are no right or wrong ways to interpret the teachings and it can come down to an individual (male) interpretation. Try reading some of the old threads here where there's some impressive scholars sharing their (female) interpretation and knowledge.

Timri well said.

-Fanjo this is a democracy, you may have an opinion and if you really cannot abide living here, it's allowed to leave the country with minimum fuss as you have the right to own and keep your own passport, so no need to ask a male relative or employer to allow you to leave. No draconian exit visa or problems getting money as again, you can have your own bank account separate to your husband. You can nip out and book a ticket out of here whenever you like, no worry of secret or religious police stopping you.

Frankly, I rather like Britain.

well thanks lostcat, Im sure I think your opinions are a load of shite as well

YANBU. A teeny tiny percentage of women wear the niqab (burqas are even less common). And most women choose to wear it.

If we want freedom, we have to have freedom for everyone.

Some people hide behind the 'it's a religion, not a race' argument but really they know most adherents are people of colour.

well these lovely comments are really making me change my views :)

Well I suppose millions of men women and children gave their lives in Ww2 so people could spout bollocks and be ashamed of living in a generally tolerant free civilised safe country.

Shame people feel the need to though.

yolofish Thank you for your opinion but could you please explain why you feel this is disingenuous.

Some people hide behind the 'it's a religion, not a race' argument but really they know most adherents are people of colour

so most people of colur wear a veil?

i don't think so.

Some people hide behind the 'it's a religion, not a race' argument but really they know most adherents are people of colour.

but "colour" is also not a race. And while most muslims may be non-white, many non-whites are not muslim.

frankly, it seems to me that in the UK the british are incredibly good at separating the two. This country is full of people from the indian subcontinent, but there is very little ill will towards hindus and sikhs.

It's not about race. it's about religion and culture, and it's a credit to the people in the UK that they seem to be able to make that distinction.