Is racism against the English acceptable?

[BabyBearRus]

We are currently on holiday in Wales and have just heard an altercation outside our holiday accommodation blasting the "bastard English who come to stay here". I'm shocked. I am half Welsh and half Irish, and spent much time in both countries. But also spent half my life in England. There has always been a jovial criticism of the English, e.g. during rugby internationals etc, but in recent years the tone has become more racist. I also find this resentful attitude towards the English amongst my Irish and Scottish friends. The English seem to be an acceptable people to hate. Surely this should be classed as racism? And, I'm saying this from a predominantly Welsh and Irish heritage. Yes, I am aware of the history of these isles, but when are we going to get over this? Truly baffled.

I think it was rude rather than racist.

Probably not aimed at ‘The English’ as such, but at tourists in general. A lot if areas resent the influx of tourists every year, buying holiday homes etc, although conversely this benefits their community.

I went to Uni in Wales and didn’t suffer from racism in a Welsh speaking g area. Yes, there was Welsh-English banter and you knew which were the more Welsh-speaking pubs, but I never felt threatened or uneasy.

We have experienced this first hand with police involved. At the time they said they were dealing with it under racist abuse laws and as such treated it really seriously. We were quite surprised with the seriousness they treated it. I personally don't think it's racist but I do think it's unacceptable and should stop.

but the hostility seems aimed at all the English not just the people in power, I just don’t get it

Because we keep voting in the people who keep these opinions.

Its the age old argument, I know a large amount of people who are not racist voted for Brexit, but I can bet no racist voted for remain.

We voted in a government, yet again, who are racist. The public voted them in, they didn't take it by force people looked at them and went yep, thats what we want.

We have people on a world wide stage such as Farage, on a slightly lesser stage Hopkins, something is keeping them in the public eye, what do you think that could be?

Our government is a disgrace and the other 3 nations do a damn good job in distancing themselves from them as much as they can,

'Xenophobia is what it is. Plenty of white Europeans subjected to it daily in the Uk. Different from racism I’d say, but similarly steeped in ignorance and fear'

Yes. Xenophobia is rife, people who rightly protest against racism seem to also support the hate of other people because of where they were born. Utter hypocrites.

Well, lot's of countries have problems with the English, and its not like theres no basis for it. No excuse to be personally rude to people, but when your ancestors killed and subjugated theirs, and/or your countryfolk wreck their country with your second homes and remote governing......it's not going to go away.

I live in Wales. I've had taxi drivers refuse to pick me up because I haven't spoken Welsh but when my Welsh friend gets on the phone to the same driver he's there in 10 mins.

The issue here is second homes. People from other countries (mainly England) buy second homes which leaves nothing for the local person. It's extremely hard getting onto the property ladder.

Also the amount of shit left on beaches during peak season is ridiculous. The whole time I was here during lockdown the beaches were clear. Now they're full of broken glass, BBQs, empty plastic bottles etc left by tourists.
The roads here are much more dangerous due to the increase in traffic but also people taking over on blind bends etc and yes you can tell who the locals are and who the tourists are.

There's a fair few English who give us lot a bad name unfortunately and after living here I can see why the Welsh get so pissed off.

@Qwerty789

Well, lot's of countries have problems with the English, and its not like theres no basis for it. No excuse to be personally rude to people, but when your ancestors killed and subjugated theirs, and/or your countryfolk wreck their country with your second homes and remote governing......it's not going to go away.

Exactly this!

@MizMoonshine

"You" haven't suffered any abuse or pillaging at the hands of anyone. Most Welsh people don't even know if they themselves did either, because few people can actually trace their ancestry back hundreds of years.

I know somebody whose grandfather was an RAF pilot and was gunned down in WW2. If he was still bleating on about the nasty Germans and the holocaust he would be called a racist prick.

Own it.

'Well, lot's of countries have problems with the English, and its not like theres no basis for it. No excuse to be personally rude to people, but when your ancestors killed and subjugated theirs, and/or your countryfolk wreck their country with your second homes and remote governing......it's not going to go away.'

Change 'English' for 'black, 'or 'Muslim' and you might just might see how xenophobic and offensive your comments are. You cannot generalise and attack an entire nature or race. It really is shocking that hating Engkis peope is so widespread.

We aren't responsible for the actions of our ancestors.

No one should be disliked for where they are born.

Or for policies they didn’t vote for (Brexit), or for the idiotic behaviour of certain groups of fellow countrymen that they have nothing in common with (thuggish football fans).

I really don’t like that type of stuff, and personally not want to go back to that place.

We do have to be aware of the past though, we did invade and still rule over the Welsh (democracy and where most of the Westminster seats are). It’s very anglicised, but from from totally so. And given our history, there are a lot of places English are not the most welcome.

I’ve been to see England play in Cardiff rugby, and it was amazing. Lots of banter, fantastic and passionate local support, but nothing more.

Correction: he would be called a racist prick in England, at least. That's what happens when you're in a progressive country that's open to self examination and growth.

Londoners get it too. I think it’s because we are pretty dominant in numbers and perhaps spending ability or at least perceived to be that way as plenty of Londoners are average income.
I don’t really mind as I love living in both England and London.

We aren't responsible for the actions of our ancestors.

But we don't own it and accept we were shits. Alot of English still think we are a great big empire attitude rather than the tiny little island we are.

I agree op.
I’m Scottish and the anti English sentiment is quite shocking.
All my friends and family wearing Italian shirts and cheering when they scored. It’s embarrassing. It’s also very ignorant.

I love England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 it makes me sad to witness so much hostility.

It was only sixty years ago a welsh town was flooded to make a reservoir for water to supply Liverpool. People were evicted from their homes and farms and it was one of the last standing welsh speaking communities in Wales. A cemetery was flooded, it was supposed to be concreted and made secure but never happed. This isn't centuries ago. People still remember this as they were alive when it happened. This also happened in the late 1800, people losing there homes and lively hoods so the British people could drink water and have a bath.

I can totally understand the resentment towards English people.

@BabyBearRus

SirVixofVixHall I absolutely sympathise with your view. But what about Welsh owners of holiday homes? The house we stay in has been in my husband's family for two centuries. He still has close family in the area. A family that has contributed a great deal to the local community for many years. What is acceptable second home ownership?

Absolutely none.

Sorry you had a bad experience here OP. I've experienced similar, and a lot worse, in England- fuck off home; isn't the Queen's English good enough for you?; Your language sounds like a cat trod on a keyboard/coughing up phleghm/a made up language. Have been called a sheep shagger literally hundreds of times, at least ten of them when I was with my small children.

Nationalism more than racism technically, but essentially these are branches of the same tree.

I suffered xenophobia when I lived in Scotland for 12 years. It was bloody awful to be honest and as I was a teenager, it affected me for a long time.

However, as an adult I understand why some Scottish people really dislike the English. I’m not excusing bullying and xenophobia BUT until England as a nation acknowledge what their governments have done to Wales, Scotland and Ireland, over centuries, nothing will change. You can’t kill, starve and steal land from your neighbours and pretend it never happened!!

Hi Ladies/Guys,

Can anyone explain it to me why English is not a race??

so if you change English/for eg for Polish/German/ Greek etc in the same sentence that will be class as racism.
but English is not??

or it would be class as racism if instead of English that guy shouted British??

sorry English is not my first language, so trying to wrap my head around it.

Ignore, it is a weak immature name calling tactic usually spouted by people who can't hold an argument or their tongue.

If some english didn't act as such pricks, then your welsh "friend" wouldn't have said English Bastards.

the arrogance of some visiting Cornwall, with their large cars, 2nd homes and leaving litter everywhere is a disgrace, many see the locals as some sort of sub species.

But its not xenophobia, just opinions based on experience, that unfortinately ruin it for the ones that are decent.

@MumDadBingoBLUEY

I'm English and went to University in (South) Wales. Never encountered any problems in the 5 or so years I lived there, and I didn't just stick to a "safe" University bubble.

DP is Welsh, but his accent is fairly English-passing apart from certain words. We live in England, and when some English people find out he's Welsh, their attitude towards him shifts negatively.

But sure, the Welsh are the problem.

You can't be racist towards an oppressor.

That's interesting because I also went to uni in South Wales - I'm English - and the anti English attitude was rife. Largely good natured "banter" but I also experienced some pretty unpleasant stuff. It was very much a part of my university experience. I love Wales and I go back there regularly but there is a very accepted anti English attitude.

Yes and in the 1970s locals in Wales burned down holidays homes used by those not from Wales. It is a very long standing issue.