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Original poster

To what extent would you say the UK is a racist country?

457 replies

VladmirsPoutine · 20/03/2022 13:40

Bear with me on this. This thread is a culmination of some of the other threads I've been on and don't wish to derail. But thinking about for example ChildQ and the extent to which what happened to her was racially motivated, considering say the treatment of MM in the press which had a private school girl ostensibly painted as being 'straigh outta the hood'. I know that the UK is highlighted as one of the most racially tolerant places in the world, if not Europe. But just on the face of it I wonder, do you think the UK has a 'race problem'?

OP posts:
ClariceQuiff · 20/03/2022 13:45

(For context - I am white). I think the UK has a significant race problem, including open, covert and unconscious racism. I have heard comments that could fall into all three categories in the past year. I don't mean to suggest that, relatively, the UK isn't a racially tolerant country, but there is no room for complacency at the moment.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 20/03/2022 13:52

A lot of people seem to think it can't possibly be racist because they personally have never witnessed any overt racism.

There is definitely systemic/structural racism, and institutional racism, and unconscious bias. Not to mention plenty of overt racism, in certain areas.

lonelyapple · 20/03/2022 13:53

It depends what you are comparing it to - China treats black people very badly as does the Middle East in general, lots of countries treat Asians very badly (plenty of the rich Arab states still use slaves from Asia today), there is state sanctioned racism against Jews in many countries etc.

I think the UK on the whole is fairly tolerant and most people are not racist and has tried to make things equal and to amend wrongs of the past. It's definitely not perfect but I don't think any country is but I'd rather live in the UK than any of the aforementioned places which have very dodgy human rights records.

LaurieFairyCake · 20/03/2022 13:54

Very tolerant compared to majority of other countries

Still racist as fuck

WhiteXmas21 · 20/03/2022 13:55

I have lived in several countries ( Europe, US, Middle East). My experiences suggest there is racism everywhere. In some places it is very open and deeply unpleasant, in others it’s more couched. But there is always racism, othering, and the less attractive sides of human nature.
In the UK we may have more legal protections from some racism, but it’s still there, clearly. And the fact that ChildQ was treated as she was , in her school, and it took so long for this to become known, is extremely troubling. As is the fact that , as far as I know, no-one has been fired.

sst1234 · 20/03/2022 13:56

I think UK has a bigger problem with a middle class ‘white saviour syndrome’ than it does with racism. Try being a non- white person and telling a progressive white person that everything isn’t down to race. Watch the indignation. You may even be accused or being racist yourself, against your own race.

luxxlisbon · 20/03/2022 13:57

I know that the UK is highlighted as one of the most racially tolerant places in the world

Uhh is it??

CremeEggThief · 20/03/2022 13:58

Overtly- not really.
Covertly/subtly- a massive issue that a lot of people are still in denial about/ not prepared to admit.

Pemba · 20/03/2022 13:59

Yes many people are racist I think. Not so blatant as in some other countries, but it's there. And when you find older relatives, who you thought were decent people coming out with stuff.. It's disturbing. And then you don't know whether it's because they are beginning to lose their marbles or have they always been like this deep down... Probably, sadly, it's the latter.

I suppose the only thing to do is to challenge it every time. Even if I get cut out of the fucking will or whatever. Just be braver. The child Q case has really given me a wake up call.

I don't mean I go along with the things they say, but I usually either ignore or make some calm remark against what they're saying. But probably I should get some courage and state I am not prepared to listen to racist nonsense.. If they say it again get up and walk out. They are in their eighties.

The homophobia has started up now too..

PinkPlantCase · 20/03/2022 13:59

@LaurieFairyCake

Very tolerant compared to majority of other countries

Still racist as fuck

I agree with this. Not as bad as most but still needs to do much better.
ghostyslovesheets · 20/03/2022 14:02

yes

Original poster
VladmirsPoutine · 20/03/2022 14:02

@luxxlisbon

I know that the UK is highlighted as one of the most racially tolerant places in the world

Uhh is it??

Yes. It is one of the most tolerant places in Europe. The UK's diversity goes back centuries.
OP posts:
Anon778833 · 20/03/2022 14:03

This is something that white people by definition cannot have a legitimate opinion on.

You should find out from POC and amplify their voices.

ghostyslovesheets · 20/03/2022 14:03

sorry - yes in all ways - overtly, subtly, institutionally - it's not great .

WeDontShutUpAboutBruno · 20/03/2022 14:05

Just look on MN.

Over the last month or 2 I have reported or questioned over 20 posts or threads that are racist.

When questioned people start with the whole "you can't say anything these days" or "that's what it was called when I was a child so it's fine" or "If its not called that anymore what is it called, I cant keep up with all this 'woke' culture"

There was one on the property board of all things using my culture and our sacred rituals as a pure piss take. MN are brilliant and take it seriously ime although I know others haven't had that experience with them.

The UK is very racist, but many/most people don't accept that because its seen as "political correctness gone mad".

People don't like to see racism called out because they see things they have said or done and realise that they are also intrinsically racist.

Moonflower12 · 20/03/2022 14:06

@Itsnotover

I came on to say precisely that.

I can't comment because I'm white.

sst1234 · 20/03/2022 14:06

@Itsnotover

This is something that white people by definition cannot have a legitimate opinion on.

You should find out from POC and amplify their voices.

Could not agree more. The most racist thing about the UK is white people finger wagging at non- white people, apologising for being racist. God forbid, if a non- white person should try and alleviate some of the guilt.
Easymeasy · 20/03/2022 14:06

It is racist. It's insidious and institutional.
I doubt there will be many that would call you a racist slur to your face but many would demonstrate it subconsciously and consciously via different ways.
I don't think people who are white can have a proper understanding if the UK is racist so if a white person said that the UK isn't racist I wouldn't be taking their opinion into account.

Moonflower12 · 20/03/2022 14:08

I should clarify- I can't comment because I'm white and therefore don't receive the comments, looks etc.

Easymeasy · 20/03/2022 14:08

That includes posters with 'lovely afro Caribbean' husbands who has never experienced racism in their tiny village except from other black people who look down on him for marrying a white woman Smile

dipdye · 20/03/2022 14:11

Child Q? The black girl in Scotland?

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 20/03/2022 14:15

@Itsnotover

This is something that white people by definition cannot have a legitimate opinion on.

You should find out from POC and amplify their voices.

I agree with you that white people don't get to decide whether the UK (or anything for that matter) is racist. At the risk of sounding ignorant though - I think it is reasonable to explore to what extent white people recognise racism, since our failure to recognise it is a big part of the problem.
Bumpitybumper · 20/03/2022 14:17

Genuine question, is there any country that wouldn't be deemed to be racist to some extent? My understanding is that studies have suggested that the UK isn't particularly racist compared to other countries and is actually one of the least racists countries when compared to countries with a similar or larger population.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/03/2022 14:17

@Itsnotover

This is something that white people by definition cannot have a legitimate opinion on.

You should find out from POC and amplify their voices.

Can I have a legitimate opinion about the shit that other white people say to me/in my presence, assuming that I would agree with them? The sort of things where they know damn well what they are saying and have specifically chosen to wait until they think they are safe from consequences to voice their shitty opinions?

I don't need to wait for somebody else to be directly affected/harmed by that person to speak up and then say 'Oh, yeah, what she's saying because they've said stuff hundreds of times before but it wasn't my place to say anything because it didn't affect me and the others didn't complain'.

Standing idly by waiting for somebody else to say something is the equivalent of watching a kid getting beaten up and doing nothing because it's their responsibility to stand up for themselves.

Polyanthus2 · 20/03/2022 14:18

You could be a white person and suffer racism.
I think we are racist but we also have the most shit-stirring press and media which fans the flames.