Is the UK really more racist than the USA?

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I always thought that the USA was way more racist than the UK but recently have heard a lot on the news that the USA generally believes the UK is a lot more racist than the USA.

Is there any kind of consensus on this?

Thank you

No.

I think it’s a lot worse in the US and definitely more obvious. However I read something David Harewood said a few years back about Black British actors having to go to USA to play decent roles like leading characters etc and it did make me think maybe it’s harder to achieve stardom here and whether that’s down to racism? I’ve seen some great black singers on our talents shows etc and often think they would be a lot more successful in America.

Does is matter which country is more racist? Both have high levels of racism and prejudice. At least we are not as racist as them' is nothing to brag about or to be proud of. Just look through Mumsnet - thread after thread you will see people gaslighting black and brown people, dismissing their lived experiences.

Good post and I see your point clearly.

Absolutely

Excellent post, very succinct.

I'm an American and don't deny that there is racism in my country. I believe there is racism in the UK as well. I don't give any headspace to "better/worse/less/more/obvious". You have to acknowledge that it exists and listen to people when they say they've experienced it. I will say that there is a whole lot of denial in some of these posts though.

As to the question of whether or not the " USA generally believes the UK is a lot more racist", what is that even based on? Frankly there's not a lot of media coverage of the UK in America so I doubt racism in the UK is at the forefront of most American's minds. It's pretty silly, actually.

This is also what I found whilst living there. Major lack of international understanding so cultural differences (as well as race issues beyond black/white).

It also depends on where you’re living in the US, as I’m sure you noticed, @thelionthewitchtheaudacityofTHISbitch . I live in a diverse city close to a major university that attracts alot of international professors and students. On our street, I’d estimate that my neighbors are probably 70% American-born, 30% have at least one family member originally from another country, myself included. So international travel isn’t unusual at all, including the all-American households.

I imagine it’s completely different to a small town miles away from anywhere…and distances are SO great in the US!

It's hard to believe that a "major lack of cultural understanding" is all that widespread, as America is a country of immigrants. Many, many of us are second or third generation Americans with diverse cultural backgrounds.

In the city I grew up in (New England) it was possible to never utter a word of English; Polish was the primary language but not unusual to hear other languages as well.

Really, try not to stereotype based on just limited experience or third hand accounts; it shows a lack of cultural understanding.

Another thing about the passport issue. The US is a vast country. If I want to go to a geographical area that has a different climate and culture than my own, I don't have to leave the United States to do it.

I know, @SenecaFallsRedux . It’s freezing rain here today, but some friends are leaving for Florida tomorrow…it’s about 80 at their destination. #jealous. 😂

I can confirm that it a is indeed 81 and sunny today and will be the same tomorrow, and the day after, etc., etc. It's not called the Sunshine State for nothing😀

Another confirmation. This is the best time of year in Florida, except for the pollen.

I posted earlier in the thread. I lived in the USA for 3 years, worked in DC, lived in NoVA. Despite the supposed internationality of DC - didnt see much of that! Many of the Americans I met didnt have passports and had never travelled even outside the tri-state. When I returned to the UK I worked for a US investment bank. US employees could be fairly easily categorised into Domestic Americans and International Americans. Not official terminology you understand. It was attitude. And reflected my experience. The Americans who worked for international companies in DC were much more open to diversity. The more local Americans, regardless of colour, were much more less understanding of international culture and heritage. It was an interesting 3 years.

I agree that DC/Northern VA is an odd area, a government town with so many people just passing through. Plus the traffic….

I worked there for a couple of years and have no interest in returning!

@HamBone DC is an odd one, isn't it? Higher than national average poverty rate yet some of the most expensive real estate in the country. I have popped in and out for work-related things but would not want to live there. I do like visiting Fredericksburg though.

Go to French beaches and you’ll see endless crowds of migrants desperate to risk their lives in small boats to get to UK because they (rightly) hear it’s less racist than France.

The UK is racist, everywhere is, but it’s much less racist than most countires including America

If you want to see racism go to the Middle East - it is obvious and ingrained there.

I think it is an irrelevent distraction to compare different countries or societies.

If someone suggests that I may have a character flaw that is seriously hurting other people then the right course of action is for me to reflect on that, decide how much truth there might be in the criticism and then look for opportunities to improve myself. If I just say "well it might have some truth, but I don't think I'm as bad as my cousin Brenda" then I am just deflecting and not actually addressing the issue.

So true, Walkingthrutreacle.

Replying to the thread title. No, there is no racism in the UK and there is some in the US but it's still better than most places. It's just that the media blow it out of proportion.

Just when you think you've heard it all