AIBU to agree with Diane Abbott

[Elephantiner]

I cannot stand Diane Abbott, she has a lazy, patronising manner which riles me, but she has said that people visiblybof a different race (e.g. black people) experience a different sort of racism than those who’s race is not visually obvious (travellers, Jewish people etc). She has a point, doesn’t she? Am I missing something here?

Obviously all types of racism are utterly abhorrent.

Once again, what are you talking about. Were the Rotheram girls referred to as white slags or not? I am rebutting the notion that only black women are subjected to sexism and racism. I know you love Abbot but you're either deliberately being obtuse, or not keeping up with the thread.

Do you read @Longingdreamerpost below and still think this?

It was the systemic rape of white working class girls.

If it was another race of children that’d been targeted then it’d be highlighted all the time. As I understand it, Rotheram specifically was conducted by men of South Asian heritage (a different race). The 2014 report states this according to Google.

We’re getting off topic but to talk about the systemic issues surrounding POC please let’s not ignore the Rape Gangs and who they targeted. It’s what led to the gangs being ignored in the first place.

I'm white and a serial migrant in the process of getting reeeeeally tired of getting funny reactions for speaking with an accent. I have African colleagues who struggle to even find a bank that wants their custom.

Of course it's worse for black people. That said, it's all shite.

I will say the same thing to you as I say to anyone who tries this on. Where, in the Equality Act, is the white race made an exception? The very term white slag is racist.

Exactly. This thread is really very telling.

no I am making a point that this was a group of disgusting predatory men that people have been horrified by what they did

It’s not acceptable and who is defending them or trying to reason their behaviour

No one is ignoring the horror of what happened in Rotherham - or the racial dynamics involved. Those girls were failed on multiple levels, and it’s absolutely right that those failures were exposed and addressed. But it’s important not to confuse that with the systemic racism faced by people of colour every day.

What happened in Rotherham was not racism against white girls—it was institutional neglect driven by classism, misogyny, and yes, fear of being labelled racist. That’s not the same as the systemic, generational racism experienced by Black and brown communities across policing, healthcare, education, and media representation.

Bringing this up when discussing racism faced by people of colour often ends up derailing the conversation. Both things deserve serious attention- but one doesn’t erase the other.

The irony of this post.

Ffs. I give up.

You're right that the Equality Act protects all racial groups from discrimination - including white people. And yes, calling anyone a racial slur is wrong. But the Equality Act doesn’t erase power structures or history. It’s one thing to be called something offensive, and another to live under a system where your race systematically affects your opportunities, treatment, and safety.
Saying 'white slag' is racist in a moment. But racism as a system isn’t just about isolated insults—it’s about consistent patterns of disadvantage. And that’s where Black and brown people face the sharpest edge. That’s not an attack on white people - it’s just reality.

Your reality - not mine.

I stand by what I said. Abbot was almost annoyed that Jewish people were claiming racism, as if only Black people were allowed to feel that way. Ironically by trying to stand up to racism against one group of people, she was then minimising another group of people’s experiences. The antisemitism she has displayed previously was there, just beneath the surface….

Right—because racism only counts once it knocks on your front door. Got it.

Plenty of antisemitism on this thread as well.

What about when it knocks on Jews' doors? That's the whole point of this thread.

I think there are going to be differences in different kinds of racism - inevitably- but it’s probably not worth pointing out, as they’re all equally awful.

And tbh I think most people can tell quite quickly when someone is from a different racial/ ethnic background, especially those who are disposed to be prejudiced against them.

Isn’t this from a couple of years ago?

‘White girls are for rape’ was one particular quote that stood out to me regarding Rotheram. That will be due to deep rooted views on white girls. That’s racism.

And you’re right, one doesn’t negate the other. So we need to accept that Rotheram was also related to aspects of racism.

Ah yes, the classic move - when all else fails, summon Jewish suffering as a rhetorical shield. Because acknowledging anti-Black racism apparently requires a full detour through every other oppression first. Impressive footwork, honestly.

The monopoly on racism isn't owned by one group.

In fact, I'm starting to think DA has made an appearance.

That quote is absolutely vile, no question. And the men who said it held deeply racialised and misogynistic views. Not one person here is excusing that. But one group of predators expressing hateful views doesn't rewrite the definition of racism as a systemic force. Individual prejudice, even when racialised, isn't the same as structural oppression. If it were, then every hateful comment would carry the same weight as centuries of institutionalised inequality—and I think we both know that's not how power works.

I politely disagree.

I (and I think a lot of people) truly believe there was a race angle. It they’d have been a different race (say black?) I’m not sure you’d stick to your current reasoning.

The reports I’ve read have many exerts from victims who were called white whores, white slags etc. White was mentioned a lot by victims.

Back to the original topic. Have a nice evening.

No monopoly, yeah - more like some folks own the whole damn casino, rig the slot machines, and still act surprised when everyone else keeps losing.