Why are people STILL racist in 2019?

[malificent7]

Is is fear or something? Just feel that so much is fuelled by xenophobia...Brexit, stabbings, right wing extremism is on the rise.in a more interconnected world i would hope for the opposite

I guess for the same reason people were racist in 1919, 1819, 1219 etc. Because fear and distrust of ‘the other’, scapegoating when resources, jobs, peace, security etc are threatened is part of our human make-up.

As a Jew (who looks Jewish) I have experienced racism throughout my life, as did my parents, grandparents right back to relatives further back who were chucked out of various countries over the centuries. Because were identifiable and because we looked different, had different beliefs, values, traditions and were a handy scapegoat for all that was wrong with society. Which I guess is the same for many other minority groups. It’s awful to experience, awful to witness but I don’t think it will ever not be an issue.

'There will always be prejudice in the world'

Yes of course. Prejudice means pre judging. Of course everyone prejudges people. If I see someone with a swastika tattooed on their face I prejudge them, I decide they are horrible before I speak to them. Some pre judgements are necessary in order for us to decide who it is safe or comfortable to spend time with.

However, some pre judgements are just stupid and harmful. Deciding you don't like someone because of the colour of their skin is ignorant and harmful to the well being of that person and social cohesion. Therefore we shouldn't just shrug our shoulders about racial prejudice and say 'oh well, it's normal, everyone does it' It's plain wrong.

It seems to be seen as socially acceptable to be racist towards travellers.

Couldn't agree more.

I was yet again informed on the tube yesterday morning that when brexit is here my kind will finally be chucked out the country by a fairly young woman in a very smart pressed suit.

I didn’t realise that Pakistan was part of the EU...

As a white woman I had never dealt with racism until my husband moved with me who is black. Actually shocking the ignorance that still exists. He's been called the n word to his face after a football game, a girl at his work said he'd probably blow someone up because of his skin colour and multiple comments about him being a foreigner when disclosing his name. A lot of 'no, where are you really from?' From little old ladies and all around ignorance (we do live rurally now). Also a lot of weird comments about my kids that makes me feel a bit eek. Making them sound like accessories because they're biracial.

Unfortunately all of these people in public and the media publicly being racists makes the general public believe that their opinion is right and even scarier valid. Every time something like brexit or Donald trump comes into power you can see the hate crimes rise overnight because people are just so easily influenced.