"Joke" about young Afghan refugees by villagers

[Appalledbymyneighbour]

I feel so much rage and shame. I live in a 'naice' village called Ombersley in Worcestershire. I was in the village surgery when a minibus of young people, for whom English is a second language, arrived for their Covid vaccine. A neighbour, in a tone suggesting anything but a welcome awaits the poor people of Afghanistan who may make it to the village, "joked" to another neighbour, also sat in the waiting room, "oh the Afghan refugees can't be here already" and laughed.

I had my sick child with me and was called into the consultation room shortly after. But I had the opportunity to say something and feel absolutely dreadful at not having said anything. I feel disgusted that this woman lives alongside me. I feel ashamed I did not speak out. I should have done.

What should I do at this point?

What should I do at this point?

Do a quick internal eyeroll and get on with your life?

Nothing you can do. The moment has passed.

I'm very surprised your GP allowed so many people to be sitting in the waiting room together.

I don’t think you can do anything about the joke at this point, but you can make a mental note never to befriend those villagers. But also ensure the village is welcoming to refugees, immigrants, everyone.

Organise a clothing drive for refugees, offer up a spare bedroom for refugees, suggest the proceeds from annual village events (fete, harvest festival, carolling?) go to refugee crisis charities this year. Sounds like an anti-racism campaign wouldn’t go amiss either.

I think you should probably organise a lynching.

Or a burning! Really show those bitches what's what.

Thanks, yes luckily this isn't representative of the villagers I know well or many of the surrounding community! There are lots of lovely people here and an effort is already underway. Refugees need to be closer to Birmingham than our village - we have been turned down as hosts for phase one.

The young people didn't wait in the waiting room, they were shown to a separate entrance.

I hate the feeling of not having spoken up. I wondered if I should do anything directly but it seems not.