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.

The thing si that no one can actually ever eliminate racism. It's very utopian idea.

We can, however, try to mitigate it's effects.

@Enthusiasmisdistrubed

The op started a thread about her experience as a black woman and I said I can understand the frustration (not expresses by the op herself) that when a black persons talks about their experience we can’t not stay on the subject of racism towards black people

Except she didn't. She started a thread about racism being everywhere even in modern day, and lots of people of varying races came on to support her assertation and back it up with their own examples. It's the difference between if I started a thread about 'racism' and mentioned I'm an Indian woman vs if I started a thread a racism towards Indian people. *
**
There are many many threads discussions etc about racism*

Except there aren't because any time someone from any race other than black tries to start a discussion about their experiences of racism they're told to 'shut up' and 'it's not your time'/'youre stealing the limelight' and 'black people have it worse so we need to concentrate on them'. And to add to the irony it's usually Whore people saying this

*Do I stand by what I said that black people suffer the worse day to day racism yes I do
**
*Well then you're part of the problem that perpetuates the idea that a) its some oppression olympics and b) because one group might have it subjectively 'worse' it's ok to only concentrate on them at the expense of and ignorance to any others groups suffering

Why bother even engaging with those that claim other racism isn’t an issue especially from a white person

Because it's about education. And unlike with black people we can't say 'it's not my job to educate you, go educate yourself' because no one is interested in or listens to us because being educated on racism against black people wins you cool points now whether educating yourself about racism against other groups is the same amount of effort for no personal reward or validation for being a 'good person' and no pat on the back from anyone.

And to add to the irony it's usually Whore people saying this hmm

I wanted to say that you got a bit of a typo there, but then I realised it's actually accurate. This "shut up" usually comes from people who jump on "in" cause to get themselves some attention... So yeah...

It was a typo but your point kind of works too.

I have seen passionate black and white BLM activists. The difference is the black ones are only focused on their cause and fighting for it, the white ones are the ones shutting down any other cause is the name of BLM. It's as if because they've been (rightly) told they need to listen to black people they've take it as they should only listen to black people and everyone else should listen to black people too, and stop talking about their own campaigns and struggles in order to do so, so that only black voices are heard.

@Lifeisabeach09

Yes I worry for the next generation.

Don't. As bad as racism still is, it is better than it used to be. Look around, you see more mixed-ethnicity couples and children than ever! Now go back 20 years...far less so. Fifty years ago, almost non-existent.
Diversity and awareness is growing but racism is still ever present. Times are changing but move slow.

My dad is white, he was born during WW2. He received racism for marrying my mum in the 70s. My mum is black-carribean and part of the windrush generation.

40+ years later and the love between them is still strong as ever. I'm glad my dad stuck to his principles despite what the cynics said. Big up the love!

Except there aren't because any time someone from any race other than black tries to start a discussion about their experiences of racism they're told to 'shut up'

I've had several threads on here that have ended being pulled, usually about two pages in, and all for racist posts.
Give MNHQ their due, they are on it straight away, but some people are so racist and ignorant about travellers.
It's sad because some of us are only happy to share our experience, educate and erase some myths, but we hardly get the chance.
There again, it is comforting when some non travellers are able to talk about things they do know and have learned, maybe something about the migration, language, or culture. A huge thank you to those who post, it makes all the activism worthwhile.

I don't k ow why this topic has become a battle ground. Discrimination and racism in any form should not be tolerated no matter what the ethnic group. Please don't shout each other down, in doing so it shuts down debate.

When someone who is discriminated against for their background, I, a mixed-race person can relate to it straight away even if my background is entirely different. It all hurts the same way. I would stick up for anyone who was suffering abuse based on their heritage.

We have more in common than that which divides us.

Agree @Crispsnatcher, it’s not really fair on the OP either.

If you read my earlier post NotMyTimes I said I understand why people get frustrated when racism against black people is talked about and it doesn’t stay on that subject. The op mentioned she was black another posted why could we not stay on that subjected I posted I understand why that’s a frustration

There is many many threads on racism but particularly at present due to recent events the subject of racism towards black people is discussed (not just on here) and it’s moved to the wider discussion on racism and at times shut down or the subject of do you know who you are really supporting when you support the BLM

Please do search my posts to see me saying racism is only an issue for black people you won’t find it

@Crispsnatcher, love it! [heart]
And you are very right with your words.

I do think people are more vocal about their opinions these days? I get the impression it used to be a lot more behind closed doors but now with social media, people dont bother to try and hide it. I could be wrong though.

I have had racism as I kid in both primary and secondary school. Since my late teens I wouldn't say I've suffered it. Hence I thought things had changed for the better. We have an openly racist PM (muslim women are letter boxes, black people are piccaninies etc) and now I feel people are more emboldened with their perhaps once closeted views. That's just my opinion but I see it a lot particularly when a news article comes up about black people suffering or a terrorist incident happens.

@EnthusiasmIsDisturbed

I've read it all. But the subject of this post wasn't racism against black people, the subject was racism being everywhere. And thus people agreeing and sharing their stories to back up why racism is everywhere is staying on subject. The poster trying to shut up @Pinkyyy is trying to change the subject of the thread from racism to racism against black people. Read the OP, she says racism is everywhere and She's black and here's her interpretation of it then Pinky goes, yes racism is everywhere, she's a gypsy and here's her interpretation of it. Then another poster comes along and chastises pinky for stealing the limelight from black people and making the post about her and all lives matter when that isn't at all what pinky did - that's gas lighting. It would be a frustration if the original post was about anti-black racism, but it's not, it's about racism with anti black as the example, and that's a key difference to the subject of the overall thread.

I never said you said racism is only an issue for black people - don't put words in my mouth. I said by you saying racism is worst for black people (from your point of view, this is not objective fact), that you are perpetuating a harmful idea which is already prevalent right now that because black people have it 'worse' it's ok to ignore, and even shut down discussion about, other racism because it's 'not the right time', 'stealing from the limelight' or 'we can get to that later'. It also feeds into the idea of an opression olympics whereby a group has to prove they have it worst before the privileged majority care, it's not ok to just have it worse, unless you're the worst the white people wont care.

I don’t feel that I said I can understand why some feel that way

I do think all racism should be acknowledged I also think it’s important to recognize how racism can and often does impact differently as this has been influenced by media, films and so on

I said day to day racism not racism over all as I think it isn’t just about out right prejudice it’s about unconscious bias too perceptions made

Here, proves my last post. Another racist traveller thread has been zapped, it made 3 pages this time. Hardly any posts standing in the end.
I know this is taat, but if MNHQ will let this stand.
Thanks to all those who contributed without the racism

I've had a lot of people treat me different and even down to friends disown me when I reverted to islam and because I am a muslim. I'm still a human being I am still me. I stand out in my area. I'd say its 65% black and 40% asian and black and others. I'm white and because I wear hijab and a long dress, it's as if I am wearing a traffic cone on my head instead of a headscarf due to the stares and swearing.
I've had people say pathetic things like I am a traitor to my own kind and so on. And make comments why the eff has she got that on her head in the school playground. Before I wore the headscarf, I talked to and knew a lot of people. Now they run a mile. Or keep me at distance. But I just say they weren't true friends in the first place. I've got used to the stares, nudges and laughs. I'm happy with who I am and happy I became closer to God. I am not hurting anyone. I'm still polite, kind and friendly. Although islam isn't a race and it isnt exactly racism I have experienced, its prejudice. And people also ramble on about the fact I married a black man, like it's the worst thing in the world. Last time i checked , we are all human beings free to love who ever we want. I couldn't give a hoot about my husbands skin colour. Hes my soul mate not something off a different planet.

People need to move on, accept other cultures and ethnicities, and mixed marriages and just get a bloody grip. If a white man married a black woman or asian or latino woman, what's our bloody business with it. It's their life, just shut up and focus on the real issues in this world!

Sorry was meant to say 65% white

I really appreciate that @NotMyTimes, thank you. If this was a BLM thread then I wouldn't have commented my experience, but it isn't and that's why I was shocked that I was attacked.

@Devlesko not surprising the thread was zapped, people just can't control themselves, it needed to go tbh, people were disgracing themselves.

@SharonasCorona I don't think that people of a Gypsy background are really your "typical" mumsnetters.

Travellers experience a HUGE amount of racism. But yes it's different, as it's not the result of 400 years of slavery & colonialism.

Have you read Afua Hirsch's book OP? It's a brilliantly written & researched book. So informative about where attitudes to race in this country originate from. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested - very engaging! 🖤

I agree. I’m unsure how if I should really be adding my opinion, I am Pakistani not black..

I experience less passive racism tbh and more outright racism. Called a paki, a terrorist. My dad was recently referred to as a ‘sand n*gga’

I do also feel we have it easy too. I am light skinned as my mum is white.

Smiled

I am studying the migration and history of Romany and it's so interesting (to me).
The persecution started around 1,500 years ago, when Rom were sold as slaves to the Persian king. My ancestors travelled from India, ended up in the UK via various Eastern European and mediterranean countries, experiencing the worst life outcomes, then being transported for absolutely no reason except being born.
Things haven't really changed much in 1,500 years. We don't experience the horrors that some European Roma are experiencing at the moment, but they aren't too far away when you look at the horrors of those who entered the gas chambers.
It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, or what you believe as long as you are kind and considerate to others.

[quote SmiledWithTheRisingSun]@SharonasCorona I don't think that people of a Gypsy background are really your "typical" mumsnetters.

Travellers experience a HUGE amount of racism. But yes it's different, as it's not the result of 400 years of slavery & colonialism.

Have you read Afua Hirsch's book OP? It's a brilliantly written & researched book. So informative about where attitudes to race in this country originate from. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested - very engaging! 🖤[/quote]
@smiledwiththerisingsun

I haven't read it but I will now, thank you!

[quote NurseButtercup]@roxfox

One of the men in the video said :

"Being angry isn't enough"

And he's right...
I've been angry since watching the murder of George Floyd, it triggered memories of racism and discrimination I've experienced that I'd buried and forgotten about. They all came flooding back.

I was born here in England but I haven't felt welcome or that I fit in here since I was 13/14 years old. But then where do we go? We are seen as "English foreigners" when we travel to the Caribbean or African countries".

Michael Holding very calmy and eloquently speaking from his heart makes several valid points:

I don't think the changes we need to see are going to happen in my lifetime.[/quote]
@NurseButtercup

Thankyou very much

@Tunnocks34 its ridiculous. I wear the hijab and was asked by some weirdo if I joined the taliban. I mean seriously!!!!

@PopsicleHustler that's awful. I think kind of racism has become normalised. It is horrific. The media doesn't help. When white folk do something bad, the media make no mention of race or religion. When it's a religious group who commit crimes the media print that, and the religion becomes negative by word association.

I hope that makes sense. The media certainly stir things up to sell copies or get clicks.

The media doesn't help. When white folk do something bad, the media make no mention of race or religion. When it's a religious group who commit crimes the media print that, and the religion becomes negative by word association.

They also make it a big thing when it's a foreigner doing it, but not when they are a victim. It's shit, but it brings in the clicks.
"Polish builder/muslim/Asian killed ..." is more clickable than "a person killed...".
Quite infuriating, but it's what brings revenue... Which is infuriating.