Racism on room advertisements

[Suetully]

I was going through spareroom tonight and some of the ads real 'Asians preferred.' I have some recollection of reading similar ads years ago saying 'Asians only.'

AIBU to think if ads like that read 'whites only' there would be outrage?

It’s like when DH used to get invited to join BAME groups, societies and trade union groups at work. ‘Why are they lumping a whole chunk of the planet in together assuming that we all have things in common?’

@Kitchendrama1 I’m speaking from my own experience. I’ve had housemates from all religions and we just understood each other.
We also had white and black friends too. My closest friends are actually Brazilian and German but when I was young, I chose the safety of house sharing with people from my own culture.

@Slippy78

The advert doesn't say 'Asians only' though does it. It says 'Asians preferred'. Nothing wrong with that at all.

It’s illegal and discriminatory.

I understand why, in a racist society, people may want to put that in an ad but… it’s illegal and discriminatory.

The problem with landlords and letting agencies racism against certain minority races/ ethnicities is surely much more pressing for anyone concerned about racism in this sector.

There was a big exposé on it a few years back. Hidden cameras etc. I'll see if I can find it.

Concerns about racism in this sector must mean of any type.

I would recommend anyone concerned focus on the issue as a whole.

Here

www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/14/london-estate-agents-discriminate-black-people-bbc-investigation

Pretty grim stuff

It’s illegal and discriminatory

Is it though?

(Asian means south Asian in the U.K

It really doesn't. Asian means asian in the UK. And everywhere else.

Surely the major issue here that affects most and is hidden, is what's in that link ^

@NiceGerbil

Here

www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/14/london-estate-agents-discriminate-black-people-bbc-investigation

Pretty grim stuff

Yes it's stuff like this that make you not sure whether to laugh or cry when people claim there's no racism in the UK or the UK is pretty "tolerant" or better than others. It's not so, it's just more hidden, situations where you'll have no idea you've been held back because of your race but you think things are just hard for you. It isn't only when groups like the KKK bang on your door or spit on your face.

Perhaps, I'm being pessimistic but I don't believe racism can be clamped down, just driven further into the underground, probably with stricter code words for "no blacks".

I don't blame them because existing as an ethnic minority is bloody exhausting - I mean emotionally and mentally. From just finding somewhere to live e.g the link above where letting agents are happy to not let to Black tenants, getting a job where non-British sounding names can be filtered out and interviewers being visibly surprised you're Black when you turn up for the interview, being stalked around shops when just doing your weekly shop and all of that happens without anyone calling you the n-word. It's almost like a constant 'performance' when you're Black in society because as a woman you don't want to be too loud or forthright incase you get labelled as an 'angry black woman', your hair is seen as unprofessional and you're more likely to die during childbirth.

And the amazing thing about all the above is that white British people have no clue about the above and are quite proud of how 'tolerant' their country is.

So all in all if a PoC wants to at least have some peace at home then let them have it.

@ManifestDestinee

It’s illegal and discriminatory

Is it though?

Yes

www.roomlets.rentals/info/avoiding-discrimination-letting-room

Does that actually extend to letting a room in your own home?
If you can't choose who you want to literally share your home with without being accused of some sort of discrimination against anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable, it's a funny old world.
We can choose our friends without being accused of any sort of "ism", but not our household?

Nope. @MasterBeth, the link you provide states the following:

"Do the Equality Act Rules Always Apply?

The Act exempts many room rentals and flatshares from the rules. These are known as ‘small premises exceptions‘ and apply where each of the following is true:

1. The advertiser, or a close member of their family (such as a spouse, partner, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling) lives in the same property.
2. They share facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom or living room with the tenant.
3. In addition to the advertiser and their household, the property cannot accommodate more than two other households, or six individual tenants or lodgers."

So, yes. It is legal and non-discriminatory to state a preference.

The Equality Act applies to landlords, not to people taking in lodgers. Lodgers do not have the same rights as tenants.

I would agree that people in flat shares /renting a room out of their own home should have some control over what is in effect their personal lives.

And this should extend to everyone. No special cases, no special pleading.

If we want to live in a harmonious, free society, rules and responsibilities need to be universal and reciprocal.

Otherwise, we will spend all our time arguing over who is more deserving, vulnerable, special, etc. As groups vie against each other for advantage.

Enlightenment thinkers figured this out hundreds of years ago.

Yes....www.roomlets.rentals/info/avoiding-discrimination-letting-room

Didn't read your own link there, did you?

@MissyMooKins

Yabu that's not racist. I'm neither asain or white and wouldn't be offended by that. I actually understand that. They want someone from their culture theres nothing wrong with that.

But there would be something very wrong if a white person only wanted someone from their own culture?!? Of course! There would be absolute UPROAR

There would be no uproar if someone advertised as ‘Scot preferred’ or ‘German/Aussie/Irish/Liverpudlian preferred’
Technically, they’re not saying White only, but could do it that way.
And it would be totally understandable.

@Comedycook

Is it even legal?

No

@Hmmmmmph

Would an advertisement for a spare room ‘Men only’ be sexist?

Yes

@BrendaBubbles

"Racism" is about institutions and structures of power. It doesn't work that way around because the structures do not favour them. It is the same with sexism where positive discrimination for women is not "sexism."

Not sure what you are quoting but the UK law relevant here is The Equality Act (2010). Race and sex are among the protected characteristics and they are protected for all people. Women suffer far more sexism but yes, men can be subject to sexist discrimination and the law protects them from that also, as it should. Ethnic minorities suffer more racism but the protected characteristic in law is "race" so discrimination against anyone based on their race - minority or not - is also illegal.

@Antinerak

Asians preferred likely means someone is looking to avoid racism

It is not equal to whites preferred as white people don't need to avoid racism unless its their own.

Lol, you don't avoid racism by being a racist.

@Slippy78

The advert doesn't say 'Asians only' though does it. It says 'Asians preferred'. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Except that it's illegal...

'Hmmmmmph

Would an advertisement for a spare room ‘Men only’ be sexist?'

House share? Useful info. If not given they will just not give room to a woman. If she did get it then I can't imagine it will be much fun for her!

Men who only want to share with men is a pretty important piece of info.

Illegal to say it out loud.

The issue with racism is way more an issue for black people>>> see previous posts.

It's not illegal when it's a room in your own home. I thought we'd established that.

@ElvisPresleyHadABaby

Posters saying YANBU, how would you feel if I said an advert saying "female preferred" or "female only" was unfair? Think what your response would be, why you might prefer female company and then answer. Sex segregated facilities etc.

That's a safety issue, are you saying different races of people are more or less dangerous? We know 97% of violent crime is commited by men so it's fact driven that a woman wouldn't like to live with a strange man. Is there any evidence of an Asian/ White/ Black/ any other ethnicity household member (of any sex, so we can isolate the two factors) being more dangerous to live with as a housemate?

If so, please share the studies.