Does the UK have a racism problem?

[JolllyBee]

In just the last 24 hours alone we've had in the news:

Prince William’s godmother quits palace over comments to black charity boss

Meghan Markle had several 'disgusting' and credible threats to her life, Met cop reveals

Various people's census rants going viral and getting a scary amount of support

James McAvoy shocked by hometown racism in Glasgow after castmates abused on street

and a few days prior:

London Fire Brigade houses a toxic culture of bullying, racism and misogyny, inquiry finds

Alas, everywhere has a racism problem (speaking as a former resident of the UK and three other countries). What is scary is that the UK seems to be going backwards. All that immigrant-bashing, the suggestion that anybody allowed in has to be eternally grateful....

When I moved to the UK 25 years ago, it was miles ahead of my continental European home country in terms of treating non-white people as people rather than curios or problems. Honestly, it was way worse where I came from.

In the meantime, though, some other countries have had some success in normalising diversity, while the UK.... see above.

user1471453601
Will Self said, not everyone who voted for brexit was racist, but every racist voted for brexit

The remain vote had nothing to do with trade, economics, self-interest or fear then?

Simon from Somerset voted remain because he exports cheese to Belgium - therefore he can't be a racist? Sheila from St Albans voted remain because she owns a holiday home in the South of France - therefore she can't be a racist? Steven from Salford voted remain because he read that house prices could fall by 20% if he voted leave - therefore he can't be a racist? ...

Of course, none of the five/six million EU citizens who applied for settled/pre-settled status are racists either - and remain voters always had a veto against Turkey...

Will Self is clearly a self-righteous twit.

Of course, but what comparable country doesn’t? It’s not a UK specific problem.

It's got worse since BREXIT and this disgusting racist government

This.

We're one of the better countries by far despite what some claim.

There are racism issues, although there are significant racism issues in the vast majority of countries. The UK does better than most, but that’s not to say there isn’t room for improvement.

Show me a country that isn’t.

I’m an immigrant to this country and have lived in several EU countries. The UK is genuinely miles ahead of most countries.

Yes, there are always outspoken fringes - and there always will be, but most people are decent and will speak up against racism and it is pushed to those fringes.

For what it’s worth, my elderly MIL voted remain and is often heard complaining about how there are too many Asians in her neighbourhood.

Every country has its prejudices, but I find that in certain parts of the UK racism is more acute towards those who are both from a different heritage and poor. Money somehow makes some turn a blind eye.

Everywhere in the world has a racism problem.

Most of us in the UK don't want this to be the case though, are trying to do better and mortified by incidents like this. This is why these incidents are so newsworthy, and that's a good thing. Racism in the uk will always remain in the spotlight...as it should.

This doesn't mean we have a bigger problem (the uk is doing better than most countries) it does mean we are talking about it though.

100% this

Yes of course, but the focus on it now seems to be a good thing. The fact these incidences are noted and talked about and there are (not often enough, but still) consequences.

Will Self is clearly a self-righteous twit.

Yes he is, and a complete dick to boot, but he was 100% correct on this.

There is definitely a race issue in Britain. Until we recognise the atrocities we committed and return the wealth/art we looted, we will never be close to recognising the damage done. Whether china, anywhere in africa, India etc, we’ve looted and created havoc. I wish we taught more about this on schools/tv.

Yep that’s us. Responsible for all the world’s ills.

Try living in other countries, you'll see crazy treatment of people who aren't the majority.

808Kate1
he [Will Self] was 100% correct on this

How can he possibly be correct? Anti-racism wasn't the defining reason for voting remain. As above - it was trade, economics, self-interest, fear ...

Yes however populations are always inclined to be 'otherist' to identify threats to their survival, and even more so when they feel there is not enough to go around.

It should quite rightly be called out, the UK is definitely improving, but it's likely to be worse than recent history because we currently feel threatened by our economic woes.

not everyone who voted for brexit was racist, but every racist voted for brexit

Alternatively, maybe many racists are thick and lazy, and didn't bother to vote at all.

How do you feel about the fact that the mostly white EU controls its outer borders, and the vast majority of people outside the EU aren't white?

Look at a photo of the EU Commissioners. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I cannot see a single face among them that is not white. Compare that to the diversity within the MPs here.

Unfortunately, racism happens in all corners of the globe. In general Britain is open and tolerant. Racism is abhorrent, but racist incidents do not represent most people and do not make this a 'racist country' en bloc.

Those experiencing racism in Britain will be thrilled to know that they should be grateful because it happens everywhere and Britain isn’t so bad.

We should apply that same logic to victims of other violations - rape, GBH, etc.

Better to be racially abused it Britain than in a country higher up the racist list. Ungrateful immigrants!

It was the defining reason for many who voted Brexit. Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear, but this is a racist country. Doesn't matter a fucking jot if other countries are more (or less) racist. Doesn't detract from the fact, this is a racist country.

Yes. Mumsnet threads on the subject generally end up being horrifyingly apologist (and therefore racist) so let's see what happens on this one. Maybe Mumsnet is representative of UK attitudes.

Yeah, and you fucking love it.