Hi all - I will try and keep this as brief as possible at the outset to avoid TLDR but I am prepared to provide more detail of course. I’ve name changed for this but I am a regular MNetter and have been for over 5 years.
For transparency, I am a white woman, early 30s. Since the start of the year I’ve witnessed what I believe to be clear racist treatment on 3 separate occasions on trains. The first was a mother and child. The second a couple of young guys probably early 20s. The third an older woman. All were Black. I have been agonising for days now, since the 3rd incident about whether I handled these situations right, whether I did more harm than good, or whether I should have done more or less.
On occasion when trains are busy (most often as the services are appalling and other trains are cancelled) the first class gets declassified, or sometimes I just decide to pay an upgrade so I can work. Over the past year I have seen train conductors treat each of these people in a way that I perceived to be racist. From 3 different train operating companies on 3 different (longer distance) routes.
I don’t want to drip feed but is this something people would be prepared to give me a frank opinion on if I explain the situations? I feel as if I witness it again I would like the diverse view of the Black community (diverse from the perspective of sharing being non white but more importantly a range of views - for eg I hate it when I’m asked ‘what do women think’!)