This happened to me at the weekend and I feel ashamed I did nothing - Racism

[Changedusernameforthis2]

I was at a car boot sale at the weekend and there was a large stall there- that was a man and wife- selling 'fill a bag' type stuff - they were a house clearance company avoiding paying dumping fees I think

There was a lady there who was wearing a headcovering, she kept going behind the stall and they kept shooing her out
The man said in a sort of 'I'm muttering but loud enough for everyone to hear' way - he said "They're like rats, it might help if we stop giving them everything"
I was really shocked and just walked off but I feel really ashamed I didn't tackle it

What can I say if I find myself in this position again? I do not want to stand by and let it happen- I feel embarassed of being a coward

That's ridiculous. Of course she shouldn't have been going behind the stall but if those words were spoken that was quite obviously a generalised comment aimed at her ethnicity.

Careful. According to @familylawyer01392, the word "them" is racist and othering. Whatever that is. "Locusts" will probably have them calling Prevent on your ass.

it was- I was there and some others saw it and moved away too

Of course it was. We've seen a lot more of this denial on Mumsnet in recent months too.

whataboutery has caused so many problems- 2 things can be true- she can be an annoying woman AND the man was racist which is also not ok

The vermin language is totally unacceptable- those saying it isn't, I urge you to go into work and talk about a group of people and call them rats. you know what would happen. It isnt tolerated

if we stop giving them everything

I wonder what it is as well that he keeps giving to 'rude people' that causes them to keep coming behind his stall.

There are a lot stupid/racist people on this thread, OP.

I'll start where I want to- I don't need guidance

How did you know they were Muslim?

Saw what now? I thought it was a comment that was racist? Either way you don’t know anything- you’re making an assumption that may or may not be correct.

Anyway, as I said there is plenty of actual clear racism to get exercised about if you want to do something about racism. I hope to see you outside our synagogues next week protecting us from the explicit overt abuse and racism shouted at us on a weekly basis.

It seems MN has been infiltrated by a lot of them this week suddenly.

I mean the giving them everything comment part he probably was being racist.

As someone who refuses to do car boots anymore due to this kind of behaviour I understand why he was bloody fed up in general. It is like a pack of rats regardless of colour or creed when you open that bloody boot you get swarmed and then people constantly though out the day keep trying to get round the back sniffing around your stuff that’s not for sale as it’s sold and they are coming back or you’ve just purchased it yourself.

We have a high police attendance at our local Sunday carboot now, due to thief’s and the shop thief’s trying to sell on their stolen goods.

Fair enough. If you don’t want to stand against racism then don’t. Up to you. Sounds like you do need guidance though

Like I said, if you lack critical thinking skills just say that. Regarding your question about what Othering is, Google is your friend: https://www.google.com/search?q=othering&rlz=1C1GCEA_enGB1017GB1018&oq=othering&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyDAgAEEUYORixAxiABDIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIMCAYQLhgKGNQCGIAEMgcIBxAAGIAEMgcICBAAGIAE0gEIMTE3MmowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

It's as if during Brexit immigrants were never referred to as "swarming". I remember that during the campaign.

I sometimes think these assumptions are racist in themselves. Why assume a comment about someone’s bad behaviour is referencing their heritage unless you see them as something other than just another person who is behaving badly at that time.

Naturally, you'll be blamed for not integrating and assimilating too 🤷🏾‍♀️.

Because some people are not dense?

I'm kot sure why you're badgering me about this

Yes exactly. This is perhaps what the commentators are admitting they really think about some groups.

@User46576 what did this have to do with Jewish people?

Because of her race? No.
Because she was wearing a full niqab, not respecting the rules and not speaking English? Probably yes.

If it was race, that means that a white person wearing a niqab could have done the same (going to the back, ignoring him) and he would have been ok with it. Seems improbable.

About what? No one is badgering you about anything. I said it’s fine if you don’t want to stand up against racism. How is that badgering?

What I have learnt from this thread: it's okay to be racist when the person you're being racist to has been rude 👍

Your feelings about this whole scenario are really interesting.
Fwiw, I suspect that you are correct about the racist stall holder. As others have said, he MAY not have been racist, but his language suggests he probably is. You are right to be upset about this, and if you want to do better next time, good for you.

On the other hand though, this lady was clearly up to no good, and likely trying to steal from the stall holder. And yet, she receives none of your outrage. Don’t you want to do better on this score too? She was being shooed away BEFORE the racist comments were made about her. Did you feel no compulsion to support the stall holder in trying to prevent theft? Would you want to do better there next time?