Unfriending right wing friends

[nondrinker1985]

One of my school mum friends of around 10 years has started sharing loads of Restore Britain/Rupert Lowe posts.

I’m actually really shocked as she’s an Irish immigrant herself.

I’ve unfriended her which is a shame as day to day she’s ok. Also another mum who has been liking and commenting on the Restore Britain posts, they’ll probably tell me they’re not racist but I can’t be arsed calling them out.

And yet at that time those attitudes weren’t considered racist.

Just people showing “genuine concern about the scale of immigration” (hat tip Enoch Powell.)

Plus ça change.

Concern about immigration isn't inherently racist.

Concerns about racism expressed in a racist manner is racist. Spreading disinformation about immigration to whip up hate is racist. Supporting racist political parties is racist.

Aside to Dublin, I notice too that you didn't address the removal of sharing information with the other countries too, Eurodac and Schengen Information System. Losing access because of brexit has certainly hindered our ability to process cases quickly, as well as I daresay mistakes will be made. And as the claimants are allowed to roam UK streets freely while waiting to have their case heard, with no real way to keep track of them if they wish to disappear, it puts the UK and the people more at risk.

Exactly, well said. A difference that too many people seem to have not understood.

Yep. Because there is no a one size fits all story behind each person on a boat.

Why let her think what she likes. Many people will also think the same.

That is highly unlikely that anyone's friend would say that.

Those in need are not grateful. Assaulting and raping women when they have been given free bed and board by a country is disgusting .
No wonder people are up in arms.

100% this! 👏👏 But they'll be the ones complaining if/when Farage gets the keys to No.10. They've only got themselves to blame.

Anyone who finds it easy to cut off a friend or relative over a difference of opinion, is more proving they didn't really like that person much in the first place. I'd say the 'unfriended one' is well rid.

Missing the point.

You're showing your ignorance.

It's like the old abuser's trick, isn't it? I only hit her because she made me do it.

If you choose to vote in a fascist government, please remember when you are snivelling in a corner wondering how things went so wrong that this was YOUR vote, YOUR choice and YOUR responsibility.

As for me? I won't be hanging around to watch the shitshow. I will be leaving you to rot in a cesspit of your very own making.

If you vote the buggers in, you will regret it. And history will judge you.

I remember when having different politics and supporting a different political party was about education, welfare, defence policies, the NHS and so on. It was much easier to debate the differences, live and let live, and not judge someone on their politics.That's how things should be. It wasn't even that long ago.

Unfortunately, that's not where we are now. The rise of ultra-right, populist-leaning, race-to-the-bottom politics means that it's impossible to turn a blind eye to anyone actively voting for a party that is aligned with racism, misogyny, and the like.

These issues go WAY beyond normal politics. These are fundamental issues of what is ethically and morally right. I have zero problem with cutting off anyone who listens sympathetically to racist, homophobic or misogynistic political rhetoric.

I unfriended someone who celebrated the death of a small refugee child in the ocean. Anyone want to call me ‘unresilient’ or a prejudiced leftie over that?

Thats my line in the sand. People who hate or dehumanise based on race or circumstance can get to fuck, disgusting people.

Do you ask them why they don't seek asylum in neighbouring safe countries?

I think there are many millions of people living in unsafe conditions that would be eligible for "safe and legal routes" I would go as far as to say a billion people - that's a guess based on one in 8 of the world population being unsafe. With need on that scale we can't let people self select and arrive and seek asylum. We need a system of offering asylum to people in particular circumstances of our choice (certain schemes) as need is for all practical purposes infinite.

@MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack this is my experience too having worked for many asylum seekers until a few years ago. It's incredibly sad that tolerance, compassion and understanding does not form part of some people's make-up. Let's hope good will prevail.

I was not allowed to ask direct questions about their past experiences because many were suffering with PTSD and we were obviously supposed to avoid conversations that might trigger them. So things emerged as and when they felt able to talk. Some shared a lot. Others very little.

The lawyers did ask lots of questions and I learned a lot from sitting in on those conversations, but I only did that for the under 18s.

The reasons are usually very straightforward. Often around practicalities of already being able to speak some English, and or having a friend or relative here.

Well done, good girl- your medal is in the post 👍

Yes, it's terrible to be so opposed to uncontrolled immigration from countries like Eritrea and Afghanistan isn't it? The men tend to be politically moderate and much less sexist and homophobic than our own men. If we can slowly change the cultural demographic we might finally stop seeing women being stoned to death in this country.

@helen1625 I think you'll find some of them are homosexual fleeing countries where it's illegal and actively punished, not all asylum seekers are fleeing war. There are lots of reasons - relatives of political activists, gay, as well as civil war etc.

Good for you. I've done the same I don't want to be aligned with any right wing folk

Some of the Asian families in Leicester are on their 4th UK born generation. DM’s former colleague was born in Leicester in 1952 after her parents moved from India to UK the year before. Her first child born 1973. First DGC born 1996. First DGGC born last year.

This is exactly what we’re dealing with here. This is beyond politics.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts"

How quickly attitudes would change if they were to see the world, live in a new country, learn a new language, try to integrate with locals. I’ve done this twice now and it gives you a totally different perspective on life.