I'm so sick and tired of feeling unsafe in the UK

[harietti]

10 years ago I had experienced very little racism in the UK, and when I did, it was so rarely that I could put it down to one bigot being a bit of a knob. It was much easier to ignore. Today, I feel scared. I experience a racist remark from strangers at least once a month if not more, my street is littered with England flags, there is a house on my mum's street that has pictures of Tommy Robinson in the window, I've come off most social media because I can't stand the posts, my son has had racism at school (thankfully the school is incredible and has a no tolerance policy so the child was excluded immediately). I just don't know what to do anymore. It's affecting my mental health and I wish there was something I could proactively do, but there isn't. Not that will make a significant change. All I am doing at the moment is being unapologetically myself, but I still feel like shit. I was born here, and even if I weren't (like my parents), I have contributed so much to society. Worked on domestic abuse hotlines as a volunteer. Been in the charity sector earning a pittance my whole adult life because I want to help people. I feel really helpless and unwanted. Deep down I know a lot of people don't give a shit where my family are from, but equally I know a lot of people do. I'm finding myself becoming paranoid and avoiding conversation with burly white men, not because I don't want to speak to them, but because I just don't know who they are and what they believe. Often I find they are just normal people and are kind, compassionate, and I feel like an utter twat after for ever being worried. Though on two occasions recently my gut has been right, and I have been met with a racist remark, and on the other occasion, I was stonewalled. It was like I didn't exist. I am just so tired.

I don't think that's true.
People are struggling. They see people turning up in boats housed and fed 3 meals a day when they're struggling to eat and keep a roof over there heads.
When people become hopeless they become irrational and easily influenced.
Saying that I'm not sure what the solution is and I'm sorry you feel unsafe and that your son has been bullied - I have always loved the vibrant mix of people and cultures we have in this country and I hope it continues.

Sorry, that post was meant to be quoting this one.

Solidarity OP. It's abhorrent how being openly racist is tolerated and becoming more popular in this country.

I don't have much advice apart from concentrate on the good within your community, and nurture the friendships you have. The news and online world is a scary place. People are weird, they'd happily fly a flag without thinking beyond the bigger picture - although I wish they'd give it more thought.

I would not hesitate to report any incidents against you directly to the police. Really hope things improve for everyone's sake. 🙏

I didn’t want to ignore your thread. It’s important.

I am white. I very rarely see England flags where I live, it’s a notoriously liberal/left wing area.

However , I had to walk through our local council estate recently, and noticed an Asian woman looking very upset as she left her house and she was staring at the house opposite. The neighbours had put a big Nigel Farage poster up in their window. There was writing on it which I couldn’t read as someone had smashed the window, presumably in protest.

It made me feel sick that this woman, and millions like her, have to live like this now. It’s absolutely shameful. I am old enough to have two grandfathers who fought in a war to stop this country being taken over by right wing arseholes, and one died, leaving my grandmother with a baby and toddler to support alone.

I wish I could help, but please know that most people are not racist scum. 💐

None of these thugs give a damn about the Rochdale girls because almost half of them have previous convictions for violent offences against women.

The bottom line is these marches send one message and one message only that only we (white British) are allowed to commit crimes, claim benefits and live off UC till the end of time.

I said to my sister who is white (half sisters but very much full sisters) that I'm becoming scared because im brown.
I was born in the UK, work, pay taxes, volunteered for an animal charity for years but I'm now afraid to interact with anyone like I used to because I feel like I'm not at the same level iynwm It's very sad I've seen posts of brown/black people who are going through a tragedy and the comments say "get back onto the boats" this is horrific
Both of my children are white (with a slight tan) so they are OK. Which is ironic because they are not 100% white but racists will see their skin colour and not say a word. Im scared of this race divide

I know a lot of them have DV convictions! Vile. Look at that poor Sikh woman raped recently in a racist attack, too.

Women, remember that men who say they want to protect you often want the opposite. Rely on yourself. Do not listen to wolves in sheep's clothing.

Sending a 🫂, it's terrible how some are behaving. Good people need to speak out & resist.

One of the rabble rousers in Scotland has convictions for abusing two former partners and grabbed one by the neck and threw her down a flight of stairs.
He was talking to women at a hotel protest asking about their fears as women.. hypocrisy at it's finest.

It’s just the UK that is so unsafe! No other countries are racist!

You haven't been to Ireland lately

It’s only racists that are hypocrites!

Surely it’s only the UK!!

“A lot of Muslims” means what exactly? Can you point to some numbers because I’d love to see what percentage of the actual population of Muslims in Rochdale and Rotherham covered this up. Where are the numbers?

And by that logic, “a lot of white people” are out today screaming racist abuse and making nazi salutes - do all white people therefore get tarred by the same brush?

And I love the faux ignorance of presenting supposition as fact and then virtue signalling that “NONE of that is an excuse for racism.” Part of the problem much?

And abusers of women that pretend they care and want to protect but are equally quick to lift a hand.

Does the fact they were polite, well spoken people mean they cannot hold racist views which might feel threatening to the OP?
Many Nazis in Hitler’s Germany were reportedly very polite, cultured and charming in person.

Well you have the privilege of being able to think it’s not true when I unfortunately know it is. Stop telling ethnic minorities that racism does not exist. Do you like it when men say sexism doesn’t exist?

Seriously?! America is literally kicking all the Mexicans out. Its not just the UK at all.

The ICE dept (Trump's boot boys) rounding up people,I wonder how many of there number is made up of the Proud BOYS who were pardoned by Trump.

I think the point is that there are a group of unsavouries who throw toxic name calling about, and they are labelling protestors as “ thick” and “ gammon”. Obviously it reflects badly on the users of such terms rather than reflects anything accurate, but I think the point us being made here that large swathes of people across society are protesting, not just “ thick” people.

It’s not just the UK that is unsafe!

where is safe, then?

Exactly, many were taken in and found Hitler and others like Albert Speer charming & well-spoken.

I didn't say it didn't exist I said these people haven't necessarily always been racist and gave a reason for why it could be happening - so get off your high horse and read posts properly before you spout your vitriol

@Tillow4ever "Sadly, it seems straight, white men are a bunch of arseholes - they are a threat to people of colour, to women, to gay people, etc. I know if I saw a black man and a white man walking towards me on a dark street, I would feel afraid of the white man only."

Then you'd be a fool. Your comment is not only off the mark but kind off offensive and patronising in equal measure. Any and all men have the capacity to be a danger to women. You think only white men commit sex crimes? You think gay men can't be racist or misogynistic pricks? Think again. I suggest you re-evaluate your safety strategies.

How on earth would you know how they have always been? And don’t come onto a thread where ethnic minorities are talking about their fears and dismiss them. Because this might just be a talking point for you but it isn’t for us. God the brass neck is unbelievable.