To be shocked at casual open racism

[WanderingFairy]

Our having quiet dinner and some precious me time whilst DH spends bonding evening with DS. Greying couple in their 60s sitting next to me discussing all sorts of topics. Elderly gentleman makes casual disparaging comment about Muslims then brushes it over and starts talking about something else.

I'm shocked and saddened that racism is so acceptable and commonplace now. All muslims are evil, backwards etc and it's fine to make sweeping statements about an entire community. Has it come to this that we are so openly hostile and hateful?

[littleoysterslittleoysters]

Older people tend to hold outdated views and use outdated language because what was acceptable (thank god) changes. My sweet kind loving Granny wouldn't go to a checkout with a black person serving as she was scared of them and my Grandad was such an old git he once stood in our back garden and exclaimed loudly "Oysters you have n*n**s living nextdoor!" Obviously I bollocked him and tired to educate but they were from a different time.
My parents are only just remembering to use the term black rather than coloured as they state that most of their lives they had be told to say coloured not black.
Of course it bothers me but as I get older maybe i'll get things wrong too. I don't think you should have said anything. Just let the man get on with his views. You would never change someone like thats ideas. Being like that is both his crime and his punishment.

[BusterGonad]

Bertrand, he had a busy day organizing the event and the children as he's a teacher in a international private school, I doubt he was sprouting racist shit whilst wearing his England shirt in a multicultural school in the presence of his bosses and peers!

[SalemSaberhagen]

I bet he can't use a blackboard at his job, eh buster. Too many complaints.

PC gorn mad, so it is.

[BusterGonad]

Or a white board Salem, it's a crazy world. I bet no one implies that any other nation apart from the English are racist in their football shirts! It pissed me off when he told me that. I was livid.

[BertrandRussell]

I think Salem was not being entirely serious. Could be wrong.............

[BertrandRussell]

Who told him he was being racist? And what happened when he asked them to explain themselves?

[specialsubject]

I didn't see a box on the referendum form saying 'tick here to approve racism'

BTW several racist incidents at last years Glastonbury, which is not a hang out for the old, poor or non-liberal. Allegedly...

[BusterGonad]

I know it was tongue in cheek, I am serious though, a fellow teacher implied it was racism! I don't know what he said, his face probably said it all. He's not a man to listen to such tripe. He'll wear what he chooses and will probably wear it more often now. It's always clean and ready for such an occasion!

[BertrandRussell]

Oh, right. I thought you said he was called a racist for wearing an England shirt. We have to be really careful about this stuff - it's very easy to fuel the ranting of the mindless "PC gone mad" brigade.

[BusterGonad]

Well yes they said he was, wether they were joking or not I do not not know. My husband told me a fellow teacher called him racist for wearing a England shirt. I do not know my husband reply but I'm sure it was along the lines of fuck off in not so many words.

[BusterGonad]

He's also been called a Chav for wearing it but that's a thread for another day!

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

Racism has always been around and I am guessing you are quite young op as it was far worse it's was very much accepted not that long ago

but given the political climate talk of others is very much on the agenda and unfortunately the Brexit vote some have taken it upon themselves to express their views more openly and feel justified to do so

Talking about different cultures and differences is not racist though

[EnormousTiger]

Certainly grown up with parents who accept all people as they was a huge advantage for us. I am lucky.

Most British people are not particularly racist by the way. We are one of the better countries compared with many. We have always had a lot of people from all over. Even up in the NE where I am from people have African genes because Roman soldiers were from there when building Hadrian's wall.

[diamondsforapril]

I really wish people wouldn't use 'educate' as a synonym for 'telling people they are wrong.'

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

While I think some racism is down to ignorance some is down to a feeling that being white Christian and European you are superior

This belief hasn't been challenged until recently so there was no need to think differently you always had the god given advantage. Even the son of God born in the ME was European in his appearance along with his virgin mother

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

There will always be racism, the only thing that changes is the target. At the moment it is Muslim people.

You really think that the only target for racism at the moment is those of Muslim faith, then you are very much mistaken.

[ShoutOutToMyEx]

mel I'm all too aware it's not every experience. Where did I say I thought it was? I was saying that using racist outdated words isn't just another facet of old age. In my opinion it's usually a conscious refusal to give a shit.

[ShoutOutToMyEx]

As do I. Along with all other faith schools, they just segrigate children, very often by race as well as faith.

I see that argument. I just think it's funny her sister's kids, who she adores, attend a Christian school in a Muslim country.

Apparently that's different, though.

[BusterGonad]

Bertrand I remember what he said. He told the person he was wearing it because he was a football fan and would he have said the same thing if he wasn't English and was wearing his national teams shirt?

[WorraLiberty]

I don't think I can believe your husband's recollection there Buster.

One minute he was called racist and the next it was an implication.

It's just a football shirt, like literally thousands of people wear daily.

[BertrandRussell]

Ah.

[BertrandRussell]

"Racism has always been around and I am guessing you are quite young op as it was far worse it's was very much accepted not that long ago"

I'm not young and I'm not sure I agree with this.

[BusterGonad]

Worral what do you mean? He's lying? Are you serious? He was told he was racist for wearing a football shirt! Why would he lie? Wether it was in jest or not I do not know but someone said he was racist wearing the thing which thousands of people wear daily, many believe that the England flag and any alliance to it implies racialism.

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

my dad was called p*aki practically every day, it was ok to call him this it was ok to discriminate against him and pay him less. He would never have bothered reporting it or moaning about it as it was just part of life

The oh so funny jokes were on tv, radio, made towards him, aggression wasn't daily but it would happen and I do remember him being spate at

What is your experience of it being as it once was

It is certainly there and has increased recently but I never remember a time when a senior police officer announced on tv/radio that racist name calling wasn't acceptable and that it should be reported and those using such terms would be dealt with

Underhanded racism is certainly there we only need to look at our institutions to see that but things have changed and moved forward and we have on the whole moved on in society this is a step back that we can overcome

[TrueBlueYorkshire]

I hate racists who make broad sweeping comments. If anything i think you need to be much more specific with what you hate about another race. Would it be racist for me to say I hate all other cultures that discourage and ban the drinking of alcohol? I mean, how do they have sex with their partners, or hold conversations with mates!