To despair at the growing level of racism and xenophobia in this country?

[AlexaShutUp]

I have just been told by the security guard at my local shop that the coronavirus is a "good thing" because it will stop people from traveling and it will therefore "keep them foreigners out". I am ashamed to say that I couldn't think of a good response quickly enough, and just muttered something disapproving but pretty incoherent back to him. Have so many much better responses going round in my head now, and I am annoyed that I didn't challenge him in a more articulate manner.

I know that there have always been racists and xenophobes, but I'm sure that there was a time when such hideous views would not have been expressed to a stranger in public. Over the last few years, it seems that there have been more and more comments of this nature, and it makes me so sad to see the ignorant, unwelcoming little nation we have become.

What sort of fuckwit thinks that a global pandemic is good news? And what sort of society makes people think it's ok to voice such opinions?

Nice xenophobic rant there discontentedsoul. I rather think OPcan rest her case...

I don't actually know what you're talking about Justanother. Sorry.

I'm not on twitter, but I've already said that I will report the incident to the store.

I'm not sure what statistics you think I'm ignoring? Or what your point is with regard to the difficult grey scenarios?

Also, how am I looking for a pat on the back? For what? I acknowledged from the outset that my response was crap. To be honest, if the whole thing was made up and I was looking for some sort of validation, I'd have cast myself in a better light than in the actual story that I've told, but hey ho.

offer free housing, free healthcare, free money and if the new arrivals don’t get this they feel cheated.
Whaaaaaaaat. I demand my free house and free money. I never got any! because there is no such thing

Yeah Gilead, thought I'd leave that post to speak for itself.

Well said contented soul.
Immigration levels have been high since the 1960s and resulted in unprecedented ethnic change over much of the country. It is unreasonable to expect everyone to be OK with this as it has increased competition for jobs, housing etc. Even my (Asian) partner wonders why we are so hell bent on changing the place - it bears little resemblance to how it was even at the end of the 1990s.

And speaking as a former resident of Asia (20 years), the middle east, Australia and the USA, the UK is highly tolerant - evident in the availability of citizenship and associated benefits.

I'm not on twitter, but I've already said that I will report the incident to the store.

Of course your not, you decided to make a signal call om MN instead, you conveniently ignore the actual rise in racism across the eu and pretend it is just a UK issue, however you try and spin it, this scenario didn't happen, it is some very weak appeal to emotion, you being obviously middle class and white is why I am calling bullshit into you having this type of conversation.

discontentedsoul doesn't have to be a racist or xenophobe. She is just misinformed. Everyone would be angry if they truly believed they and their children are treated less favourably then newcomer. Problem is that it's simply not truth. Immigrants don't just get handed out free properties and free money. We simply don't. There are habitual residency tests to pass, third country nationals can have no recourse to public funds on their visa etc.

What people should genuinely be angry about are not foreigners, but the fact that education in uk obviously lacks so much people actually believe this crap.

the UK is one of the most tolerant places in Europe.

Well that may or may not be true but I don't live elsewhere in Europe, so I am concerned about this country. A country that has reverted to the 70s, if not worse, in just four years thanks to racists and xenophobes being emboldened by the Brexit vote.

Outside of big cities the population of this country is overwhelmingly white British so comments such as that by contentedsoul that "the floodgates" have been opened are absurd. It's become apparent that many who express concern about immigration are those who live in areas with little or no immigration. Not because their own lives are affected by it but because they believe the garbage spouted in the tabloids. Garbage such as "whites will soon be in a minority". As a white person I couldn't give a shit if that happens because to me, colour is irrelevant. What matters is how people conduct themselves.

Cool story bro

I also pay £1000 in NHS surcharges every 2.5 years, plus taxes and National Insurance. So free healthcare my arse.

Moosebreath so many people are ignorant of the fact that immigrants- even those who work in the NHS - have to pay the surcharge on top of their NI contributions. Of course the tabloids won't mention it.

Of course your not, you decided to make a signal call om MN instead, you conveniently ignore the actual rise in racism across the eu and pretend it is just a UK issue, however you try and spin it, this scenario didn't happen, it is some very weak appeal to emotion, you being obviously middle class and white is why I am calling bullshit into you having this type of conversation.

Call bullshit all you like, Justanother, it doesn't change what happened. And I don't need to "spin" the story in any way at all because I don't particularly care if you choose not to believe me.

Yes, I'm middle class and white, but that doesn't negate my experience or my opinions.

Where have I "pretended" that the rise in racism is just a UK issue? If you read back over my posts, I don't believe that I have passed comment on the situation elsewhere in the EU, other than to say that it's irrelevant because it isn't a race to the bottom. I was talking about the UK because that's where I live.

So posters on this thread pretty much proving your point about racism in the UK.

Yep KenDodd

I hear racist remarks all the time not only from white people, I reported the security in work from Uzbekistan for saying he should paint his face black to get more family income support. I reported the 2nd security guard from Turkey for xenophobic remark against Polish people. I don't like to call them out unless I'm sure I could physically take them on. As I said up thread niece's black boyfriend being xenophobic against Chinese people, Garda stopping niece's boyfriend's car despite having tax and insurance.
OP is right it is not a race to the bottom but an issue that needs to stop, in general and in sport it is disgusting.

I see my post has been removed
Exactly as I expected
It proves that if people don’t hear or read what they want - they demand change..for them.
So now who is being racist or xenophobic?
My post didn’t insult anyone, it simply stated the reasons why there is so much discontent now in the UK.
And the fact it has been removed actually says more than the post did.
As a British national I am no longer even allowed to type my reasons. Anything but bow down and open arms are seen as oppressive.
You are simply fanning the cinders. Be careful because that’s how fingers get burnt.

I'd have preferred it if MNHQ had let your post stand, contentedsoul. Kind of proved my point.

It's probably the wrong information in that post? Though then half the forum should be deleted...

you conveniently ignore the actual rise in racism across the eu and pretend it is just a UK issue This is true.
I am not in the UK. There has been a huge rise in racism in Ireland too.

@contentedsoul your diatribe was xenophobic, your ‘simply stated reasons’ is a cover for your xenophobia. Your white fragility is worrying.

Don't worry @contentedsoul I read your post and can am quite sure your username is a piss take.

I was talking about the UK because that's where I live

Yes i agree with you

I really dont Understand whatabout posters

You start a thread re racism in the uk and someone pops up with ‘ what about racism in other counties’

Actually thats a lie

I do understand

In all honesty I think the word “racist” is the the wrong word - but it wields enormous power and stops people in their tracks.

But truth be told - it isn’t racism...it’s injustice. That someone can simply waltz in and expect so much.
Why? Why should the UK be seen as a safe haven.
I am really trying to understand why migrants think they have so much right - the arrogance is what upsets people. That migrants just expect to have everything. And when they don’t get it they use the racist card.

Abbot and Lemmy use this tactic constantly - then wonder why racism won’t go away. Do they not think that they themselves could be fanning the flames.

But truth be told - it isn’t racism...it’s injustice. That someone can simply waltz in and expect so much.
Why? Why should the UK be seen as a safe haven.
I am really trying to understand why migrants think they have so much right - the arrogance is what upsets people. That migrants just expect to have everything

Again. No. No we don't. And UK being seen as a safe country is actually a good thing, isn't it