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Racism

611 replies

Pixxie7 · 09/01/2020 00:04

Does anyone agree with the continuing claims particularly amongst a lot of celebrities claim that the uk is fundamentally racist particularly in relations to Meghan-Markle.

I think as a country she was welcomed with open arms.

OP posts:
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11
Bloke23 · 09/01/2020 06:29

Of course racism exist in the uk! But we are far more welcoming as a country compared to most countries in the world

araiwa · 09/01/2020 06:29

A propos of nothing but why do racists get angry at being called racist?

SallyWD · 09/01/2020 06:30

I genuinely believe all countries are racist or have racist elements. My DH is an Asian who grew up in Southern Europe and finds the UK ridiculously PC and anti-racist. In the southern European country where he grew up it was perfectly acceptable to make racist jokes and treat people of other races differently etc. His country of origin in Asia has been described as the most racist country in the world. Although everyone who lives there is brown skinned there's discrimination against those with darker brown skin, against Muslims and you wouldn't want to hear what they say about Africans. I have a Japanese friend who married and had a baby with a Turkish man. Her friends and family in Japan think it's acceptable to make horrible racist comments about the baby calling it a hairy monkey etc (despite the fact the baby looks 100% Japanese) . It breaks my heart. Yes I do believe the UK is becoming more racist, particularly since the Brexit vote and the rise of the right. I do believe some people and the press are racist against Meghan Markle. Just last week a white man screamed "Paki" at my husband (who is not Pakistani) with such venom and hatred that I felt frightened. There's much racism here but I don't believe it's any worse than any other country sadly.

malylis · 09/01/2020 06:37

Reading the comments here its clear that "Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race" is very on the money.

Go read up.

AraGrand · 09/01/2020 06:41

Someone yelling Paki at your husband = racism
Someone not liking Meghan Markle because well, she just gets on their tits = not racism

malylis · 09/01/2020 06:43

Someone doesn't understand that racism isn't just about name calling.

SallyWD · 09/01/2020 06:43

Just read the other comments. It's interesting to see people say they don't believe there's racism here. People who say this just have to be white. One poster said they lived next door to a Carribean family who haven't experienced any racism. How do you know?!! Have you really sat down with each individual family member and asked them their experiences of this?! My Asian DH has been at the receiving end of some horrible racist behaviour. He has never complained or mentioned this to ANYONE (maybe because it's so humiliating) and as result I've heard people breezily say "Oh your DH has never suffered racism". Yet I've seen people shout abuse to him in the streets, I've heard someone say "Yuck, a brown man!" when he walked past them. I saw 2 blokes leave the jacuzzi at the swimming pool when my husband entered muttering "I'm not hanging around now he's here" about my husband. My beautiful kids are so oblivious at the moment. My 9 year old DD said the other day "Mummy, I like having brown skin because it makes me feel special" and I dread the day when someone makes her feel bad or different for having light brown skin/being mixed race.

EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 09/01/2020 06:43

Yes there is racism in this country it’s very underhand

Yes much of the dislike towards Megan I believe is racist - her not knowing her place. Many people simply don’t like that the royals now have a non person in the mix because they can’t really understand the Royal way 🙄

When you are told by a someone that they have been subjected to racism why do you think it’s down to you to decide if they have or haven’t - that more than anything sums up white privilege

Harry has already made statements about the press being racist towards Megan she has obviously felt this but yet it appears others can decide that for her

Mlou32 · 09/01/2020 06:44

@missyoumuch @TimeForDinnerDinnerDinner

My sister has been called uppity on a few occasions. In the general use of the word - arrogant and self important. She is white. Can you please explain how that would be racist? And yes, I am aware of its use in the past however it now is taken to mean arrogant, toffee nosed, much in the same way that gay to mean happy however its general meaning nowadays would be homosexual.

missyoumuch · 09/01/2020 06:48

@mlou32 it’s used about people who “don’t know their place.” Almost exclusively for minorities and women. Because the powers that be determine what acceptable behaviour for those below them is.

Sorry for your sister.

SimonJT · 09/01/2020 06:50

The word uppity is specifically used to describe a black person (more usually women) who don’t know their place.

AraGrand · 09/01/2020 06:51

Believe me - I'm not sure how else to express it, but my dislike of Meghan Markle has absolutely NOTHING to do with her race.

I thought she was a most beautiful bride. Elegant. Understated. Less fiddly than Kate's dress. She looked so happy and I watched the whole thing.

However - she has turned out to be quite the madam! Ain't nobody got time for that!

I guess Kate knew more about British hoi poloi than Meghan. She knew the norms and though terribly timid to begin with, she has grown into the role - despite a backdrop of constant scrutiny. She now seems very much at home whereas Meghan doesn't. Meghan won't stand for not being centre stage, so she wants out!! Kate seemed to fit in better - perhaps her schooling, perhaps her character.

I get the impression that Meghan looks down on Kate and possibly can't stand her. She probably views her as feeble or weak for toeing the line. Meghan is way too brash to just be part of the background. She wants centre stage. I think it's that drive that makes her less than endearing to most. She wants to be singing the solo, not to be part of the chorus line. I think perhaps the two cultures (celebrity vs royalty) are particularly incompatible.

AraGrand · 09/01/2020 06:52

Harry has already made statements about the press being racist towards Megan

Have you a link please?

malylis · 09/01/2020 06:54

"She has turned out to be quite the madam" you mean not knowing her place?

SimonJT · 09/01/2020 06:55

So you also have a problem with Megan having her own mind? This isn’t the 1950’s you know.

AraGrand · 09/01/2020 06:55

We've a nicer way of putting 'uppity' in Ireland. Up their own arse.

I didn't want to say it outright. Lol

'Full of their own importance' is another way we'd say it. You know the sort.

If they were a bar of chocolate they'd eat themselves etc.

I was being polite when I used the term uppity.

SimonJT · 09/01/2020 06:56

There’s nothing polite about being openly racist.

MorningCalm · 09/01/2020 06:57

I immigrated to the UK and I am neither white nor black. From my point of view and experience, UK isn't racist.

AraGrand · 09/01/2020 06:57

you mean not knowing her place?

No I mean being a demanding diva.

missyoumuch · 09/01/2020 07:00

No offense MorningCalm but you can hardly speak about anti-black racism in the UK if you didn't grow up there and are not black yourself.

laudete · 09/01/2020 07:00

I'm disappointed that the Duchess of Sussex (and Prince Henry, of course) is stepping away from public service - or however it's being phrased. For me, she represented the future and acceptance of mixed heritage families. She was goals. :(

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 09/01/2020 07:00

To the person who think their neighbours have never experienced racism - you may never have witnessed them having abuse shouted at them in the street, or over a coffee they may have said what a lovely diverse area you live in, but how do you know that one of them has never been discriminated against in the workplace, at the doctor’s surgery, or subject to a stop and search by the police for no reason, going through security at the airport - all examples that my family have been through that my neighbours would have no clue about.

I echo the suggestion for people to read ‘Why I’m no Longer talking to White People about Race’ - it’s very thought provoking. Saying ‘I don’t see colour’ is something only White people ever say, and it means ‘I treat everyone as though they are White’ - it removes a part of that person’s identity.

LakieLady · 09/01/2020 07:01

It has got to the stage where you can't express a dislike for someone black or brown. If you dislike someone - you're racist.

What bollocks. I can't bear Sajid Javid or Priti Patel, but that's got nothing to do with their ethnicity.

AraGrand · 09/01/2020 07:02

Saying ‘I don’t see colour’ is something only White people ever say, and it means ‘I treat everyone as though they are White’ - it removes a part of that person’s identity.

Should we treat them differently then?

Bushhbb · 09/01/2020 07:03

There's not point using Meghan as an example, she's a celeb. She's one person, ofc not everyone will like her. (I have no opinion either way).

Ime as someone mixed race, it's very hard to tell who's racist with white people. It's very covert and usually seen through bullying/exclusion/gossip, particularly about looks etc

But black/nonwhites are just as bad tbh, usually as retaliation towards those who really are, and they end up upsetting perfectly nice white people. It occurs on both sides. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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