To think racism is everywhere?

[roxfox]

I just watched this mini film thing and it's really gotten me quite upset.

I'm black and no one has ever been really openly racist to me but I've had loads of times where stuff has happened and I know it's because I'm black. No one ever talks about the little things and how much anxiety it causes!

These guys did nothing to anyone but have been treated unfairly anyway. One guy was even told he wasn't a human being.

Am I unreasonable for feeling I'm not welcome in the western world even though I was born here and so was my mum.

Racism is everywhere and everyone needs to look at their own actions to help bring it to an end. However you can’t control people’s thoughts and it is a sad fact that there are some people are inherently racist, this will take time.

Racism is racism whatever your colour or background. I’ve had horrible comments about my skin colour as a white female from black females which is rarely noticed or spoken of. (Not a dig just an observation). I’ve lived in London all my life and had friends of all nationalities, fortunately none of them have been victims of this. It’s disgusting whoever it’s aimed at, no one should ever feel uncomfortable about who they are whether gypsy, black, white, Asian etc and I wish it was more widely spoken about. Remember it says more about the person making the comments OP don’t let them bring you down.

@Linguistically

Definitely agree, OP. It's the way it's embedded into the experience of everyday life that I find really wears me down. People think of racism as only name-calling and slurs, but it's the subtle differences in the way you're treated that you notice - sitting on public transport, the way shop assistants speak to you, GP receptionists, people at work. The way you're constantly expected to be on your best behaviour because if you slip up, it's deemed to be representative of your entire ethnicity/religious grouping. The staring. But worst of all, it's the denial that any of this is real, or that if you mention any of it you're imagining things or 'playing the race card'.

It's tiring. I hear you, and I know that as someone who's BAME but not black, I have it relatively easy.

Yes, exactly. It's the small things. The things that just sneak up on you and mean you aren't safe/comfortable in any new setting because you don't know what reaction you'll get. Trying to pick myself up but each time I think of it I become clearer in my mind that I've probably got some kind of ptsd as a result just like one of the people in the video mentioned.

[quote Pinkyyy]@SharonasCorona so only black people experience racism then? Ridiculous.[/quote]
Hi @Pinkyyy I know you didn't mean any harm at all and I've not taken any offence. In truth the times as I child that I witnessed overt racism was when gypsies moved in and the whole neighbourhood turned against them. I empathise with you're plight.

[quote SharonasCorona]@66redballons the video in the OP is about black men recounting their experiences but yes, let the thread be hijacked with white experiences.[/quote]
Thank you for your support. I'm sure she didn't mean any harm but I appreciate you protecting this space for me. Have been feeling quite emotional and it's lovely to have someone want to look out for me x

@Millicent10

Unfortunately you are right, I am white but in a mixed marriage (Asian/White). I have lost count of the times I have heard racist comments before people know about my circumstances. I feel so sad/worried for my children.

Yes I worry for the next generation. Do you think things like this and all that has happened recently highlighting these issues will make things better?

I agree, I think it’s so deeply embedded in many ways that many people don’t even fully notice the extent of it. I think some people only register racism if it is overt, the use of slurs and violence etc - but it can be quietly malicious bubbling beneath the surface.

@SharonasCorona

My point is that it's disappointing that the first response to a thread where a black person is talking about their experience of racism is about the racism experienced by a white person. So typically MN.

But travellers don't have white privilege. They experience racism too. This thread is about racism, not just one poarticular type of racism.

@PlanDeRaccordement

I would phrase it slightly differently OP in that I don’t think racism is everywhere, but it can be anywhere at any time. So, one bus ride you can experience no racism, but the next day on the same bus, you do.

And not all unfair treatment is due to race, which some people try and use to deny subtle racism even exists. I usually tell them, yes not all unfair treatment is due to my race, but similarly you cannot prove that all the unfair treatment I have experienced is not due to race. Some of it is, and some of it isn’t. That’s just basic logic.

I suppose so... I mean I'm guessing the guy in the film hasn't been abused on every bus he's been on.... but don't you think he must have a shit ton of anxiety now when he does go on one incase it happens again?!

Am white but it must be a nightmare @roxfox

@Pixxie7

Racism is everywhere and everyone needs to look at their own actions to help bring it to an end. However you can’t control people’s thoughts and it is a sad fact that there are some people are inherently racist, this will take time.

Indeed

@Ishihtzuknot

Racism is racism whatever your colour or background. I’ve had horrible comments about my skin colour as a white female from black females which is rarely noticed or spoken of. (Not a dig just an observation). I’ve lived in London all my life and had friends of all nationalities, fortunately none of them have been victims of this. It’s disgusting whoever it’s aimed at, no one should ever feel uncomfortable about who they are whether gypsy, black, white, Asian etc and I wish it was more widely spoken about. Remember it says more about the person making the comments OP don’t let them bring you down.

@Sparklesocks

I agree, I think it’s so deeply embedded in many ways that many people don’t even fully notice the extent of it. I think some people only register racism if it is overt, the use of slurs and violence etc - but it can be quietly malicious bubbling beneath the surface.

Yes I'm starting to think it's more harmful!!

@lemondrizzlehedgehog

Am white but it must be a nightmare *@roxfox*

It really is. Feels worse today but I suppose things like this have got to be made to highlight the issues and allow change to happen. ❤️

@lemondrizzlehedgehog

@rofox I agree it is everywhere. I am an Indian woman and it's exhausting. And the problem is, because if perpetuates society so much you can't help wondering if any mistreatment is about your race. So when a co worker takes a dislike to you is it just because you're different people and not everyone gets along or is there some undercurrent of racism in there. Because she likes all the white co-workers, but then she's never mentioned my race, so is it just I'm not her type of person and I happen to be Indian or does her internalised racism make her not like me because I'm Indian even if she's not actively thinking racistly. It's the not knowing, it's the constant 'is it because of the colour of my skin?' Because you're always aware of it, always aware you're different, and it leave you on edge

We keep pressing forward and hoping for a better tomorrow. White people are having their eyes opened. A lot didnt even know that they were closed.

It's also sad because I've found the more educated I've become on it the more I notice it. Until I became aware of microagressions I thought it was just me being over sensitive and shook things off as that's the way it is, but as I continue to become more aware I notice them more and more. And yet it's my job to be educated so I can fight against racism because I am in an economically privileged position compared to lots of other Indian people, so I need to use that privilege to fight for their rights, but the more educated I get the more tiring it is.

@NotMyTimes I get that being Indian too. At the school gate, I am the only Indian mum in the class.

But though I am friendly and organise birthday parties for the others, I am not anyone's real friend. During lockdown, I have contacted lots of them invited them recently over to SD in the garden.
They are all seeing each other even in Mini zoom groups and kids beginning to have playdates.
Not once has anyone called me, done anything for my birthday or asked my daughter over.
I wonder if its because I am Indian.
They are all really nice to me but will make arrangements for stuff in my presence and not include me.
I am beginning to rethink who really is my friend.
I have a great one who is black but she lives abroad

It’s a post on a majority white website
How do you know the majority on MN are white?

They are mostly white here. It's a known fact.

@NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite

It’s a post on a majority white website How do you know the majority on MN are white?

It’s called demographics.

but don't you think he must have a shit ton of anxiety now when he does go on one incase it happens again?!

Yes. That’s a given. And that added daily stress is probably one reason for lower life expectancy.