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

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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

It's easy to get blindsided at the time when you're shocked. Has this never happened to you? The OP was asking how suggestions on how to handle future incidents.

So sorry you feel this way but honestly I completely get it.

I think racism in general seems to be massively increasing but against muslims (and I would argue travellers) it’s seen as completely acceptable.

Humanity is speeding backwards.

Luckily, this type of shite-where every negative comment directed toward a non-white person is racist-is starting to wear thin.

Yep so lucky! Woohoo!!!

Sounds like a racist comment to me which is totally unacceptable.
the lady shouldn’t be going behind a stall/ counter or whatever it was though. That would be annoying. He could’ve dealt with it in a more appropriate way.

My SIL said the same thing when she did a car boot (not the rats comment) just people everywhere in her stuff and car - I think she used the term ants at a picnic.
her best advise. Get out. Lock your car (very important!) go and get a coffee. Set up when they’ve all fucked off to some other person.

This. It is getting worse, yet loads of posters seem unable to see it, and will make their usual crass remarks about being oversensitive, when Black posters point this fact out. Some of these responses here, are sadly not surprising.

It wasn't really an obvious racist comment that can be challenged.

There's not much you could have said.

If anyone says anything obviously racist in front of me then I say 'im an immigrant'. Then I wait. They nearly ALWAYS says 'i don't mean people like you'. Because I'm white and speak with a British accent. Then I know they're wankers.

But in this case I don't think there's much you could have done so don't beat yourself up about it.

They = people, buyers

I would usually respond with "what the fuck is wrong with you" or "Who da fuck do you think you are" there are more polite ways to deal with racist people.
I live in a rough area so my way works well for me. 😋

My point is proven.

You think he said ' it would help if we stopped giving these buyers everything'. What the heck would that even mean?

Wow there's a lot of deliberately obtuse people on this thread. OP was there, she could see and hear the intention of the comment and she knows it was racist. Other people heard and left the stall because of it. Dehumanising people is a common form of racism - there's very little scope for it being anything else.

Also was the woman doing something terrible? Just because someone doesn't understand the convention of staying a particular side of the stall doesn't mean they were up to no good.

Because she is asking how to stand up to racism. I’m talking about explicit racism (but the type which isn’t fashionable to challenge). I’m contrasting it with an ambiguous comment which op is imagining is racist (but of a type that is fashionable to challenge in certain circles).

That’s entirely relevant to the conversation. Why do you object to a reference to anti Jewish racism?

Why are you insiting people choose a particular intolerance to care about? I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate it the other way around.

People are entitled to their opinions though. Not everyone has to agree and that’s fine

An OP referencing racism towards a Muslim woman, yet some of another faith cannot help but shoehorn themselves in.

It is precisely because we are talking about a Muslim - any other religion and they wouldn't say anything.

Plenty of racism on here that's for sure.

But you objected to me raising anti Jewish racism and suggesting how op could combat that. Why was that?

Is insulting people based on their race 'an opinion'?

@familylawyer01392 As I said previously, they (not racist or othering sigh) identified as such .You cannot know differently.

Being called ignorant and deliberately obtuse by the professionally offended hmm.

I don't object but your mention of Jewish people is similar to if this post had been about someone expressing a dislike of bananas and you said "well what about apples and people who dislike them?"

This is a great one.

Play very dim: “what do you mean by them?”

”What are they being given - I don’t understand?”

Please point to where I objected to your mention of anti-Jewish racism. I simply asked why you felt the need to bring it into the conversation. Please don't put words in my mouth as you lack simple comprehension skills.

I’m not. I’m pointing out that it was an ambiguous comment that op doesn’t know is racist or not. I’m contrasting that with explicit spoken and written racist language and violence directed towards Jewish people on a weekly basis. I’m saying there is plenty of actual racism to get worried about and do something about without worrying about an ambiguous comment not even made to anyone.

I’ve said that explicitly several times now.

The boys told your SIL that they are Muslim?

Good lord Admin need to take a look at this entire thread.