Racism in the UK in 2011

Is it still a problem?

In Scotland it still is perhaps? Still see big advertising campaigns about it in Scotland. Large coloured communities of the type seen in Birmingham, Bradford, etc, have still to penetrate Scotland, though in the last few years the number of Asian families seen wondering around shopping centres on a Saturday afternoon has been on the increase.

The last census we had in 2001 said 8% of the UK population were members of an Ethnic minority. We are due a census again this year, wonder what that figure will be? 10%? 15%?

Have we actually seen a role reversal where there is more dislike of whites in the established coloured communities, than the other way round?

I'm 35 and I don't know a white person of my age or below who is openly racist.

I do however know some Asian people who seem to have a chip on the shoulder however, and bring up racial differences at times when they weren't even on the radar in my head and I end up thinking "why the **** was that relevant?"

Is there a big problem of racism between ethnic communities, ie: Indians who hate Pakistanis, or vice versa, for no reason other than the creed?

I had reason to sack an Asian employee in a call centre in Birmingham. He pulled the race card and said I was discriminating against him. I asked him to swivel round in his chair and look at the call centre through the glass, where the majority of employees were coloured, and I asked who exactly was he being treated differently to, as a result of colour? Is the racism argument used too much? Or is it still an absolutely valid concern because racist practices are still occurring?

Discuss...

[G]

I would not say it's a problem... but nearlly everyone I know makes remarks or comments that would be considered as racist, maybe it's not so openly acceptable as it used to be... but without a doubt it's all over the place.

The worse offenders are the ethnic people themselves... I don't think they can be called minorities anymore.

[Paul the 6th]

well, there was once a time where binky came and stopped at mine for the night, dani (missus) was having a conversation with him about racism, she uttered the immortal line "I'm not racist but..."

binky interrupted her immediately with "AS ANY WELL THOUGHT OUT ARGUMENT ALWAYS STARTS - LET ME TELL YOU THIS..... I'VE GOT A BLACK DAD"

I was in the kitchen on the floor in tears, dani was sat on the sofa looking gobsmacked, and binky had that usual smug grin on his face..

As for whether racism is still an issue, I honestly believe it's down to how people have been brought up. If kids grow up in a house where racism is as acceptable as breathing then I reckon they're most likely set for life to always have 'tainted views' whenever discussion on race/ethnicity/culture comes up. In herited opinions like "They come over here...." or "they take our jobs...." - actually they were born here and you're on the dole right now, so you can't comment pal".

But then I do believe if you go to a country to live permanently, you should make an effort to assimilate with the local community, learn new ways of doing things instead of putting on the blinkers. But then is this getting on an issue of religion instead of race?

The other week when I had to nip into bradford to pick up some supplies, a young asian lad pulled up in a Nissan Pulsar/Sunny GTI-R? (one of them clapped out old japanese cars which still shift like shiz off a shuffle), he rev'd the crap out of his engine at the red light, I glanced across to see what he was doing - he wound down his window and shouted "What the f*** are you looking at you white piece of s***?" - I just smirked and waited for the lights to go green, in hindsight, this annoyed him even more as he tried to get out of his car...

Maybe he wanted to discuss the points raised on last week's question time?

Originally Posted by G

but nearlly everyone I know makes remarks or comments that would be considered as racist

Just for using the phrase "coloured communities" in my OP, I could be labelled as racist.

"Racist" insults are often used as a dig in the ribs between white and coloured friends nowadays, because both parties know it is a joke and they are the best of friends, that's OK.

There is IMO far too much emphasis on language, you shouldn't have to skip around your words to stay on one side of a political line. What's important is the meanings and feelings behind those words.

Is it racism or is a a resentment of large groups of immigrants/migrant workers coming into the country and setting up their own communitiies. People don't like what they don't understand. Add to the pot the media scaring everyone.

Maybe we want a sense of being British (and lets face it I'm English 1st. Plenty of Scotts, Welsh and Irish that are just as patriotic).

I not racist but................lets keep Gingers in Scotland.

Originally Posted by Paul the 6th

she uttered the immortal line "I'm not racist but..."

That is an issue though. We are so quick to label people as racist, just because they hold an opinion that is related to race. So they feel the need to put that disclaimer in first before they feel able to voice that opinion . I was engaged to a Sri Lankan girl for 6 years, I'm not racist in the slightest, but I have found myself using that expression.

I'm married to a French woman now. There are things that drive me insane about the French sometimes. That doesn't mean I'm racist.

[G]

Originally Posted by BigBaddad

I not racist but................lets keep Gingers in Scotland.

100% Agree

No doubt no one will openly admit to being racist, afterall what even makes someone a racist?

If someone has only ever had negative experiences of a certain type of culture, they may choose to dislike like that culture on fair grounds... that's still technically considered racist though, and they would be shot down in flames and labelled a racist for discussing their negative experiences.

Racist? no but do i resent the way ethnic groups are taking over the uk, yes! Now in many peoples eyes that would make me racist

[Paul the 6th]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

That is an issue though. We are so quick to label people as racist, just because they hold an opinion that is related to race. So they feel the need to put that disclaimer in first before they feel able to voice that opinion . I was engaged to a Sri Lankan girl for 6 years, I'm not racist in the slightest, but I have found myself using that expression.

I'm married to a French woman now. There are things that drive me insane about the French sometimes. That doesn't mean I'm racist.

The definitive joke to demonstrate the different attitudes towards racism:

Englishman, welshman and pakistaniman all go to the hospital to see their new born son's. The midwife gets the three of them together to inform them there's been a mix up and that they're not sure who's baby is who's.

The englishman proclaims that, as this is england, it's his right to go first. He emerges from the delivery suite holding, what is quite obviously the pakistani's son.

The midwife stops him and says "excuse me, but I think you know you've got the wrong baby"

The english man replies: "I know, but one of those two kids in there is welsh, and I'm not taking any chances!"






-------- isn't it a relief when you realise which of your racial prejudices is being pandered to? joke borrowed from Simon Evans originally broadcast on the BBC

i think far too many people, such as non-white british, are VERY quick to take the race card.

i was on my bike in birmingham city centre and a taxi driver *private hire* pulled out on me, i stopped just short of his car and screamed and shouted at him calling him a "f**king stupid d**khead taxi driver" and he called me racist and phoned the police.......so i turned off the bike and sat infront of his taxi waiting for the police, he started kicking off at the police as they were both white and accused them of racism and then made a lunge towards me with a small sharp religious item. he was arrested and given a police warning and left at that.

now i beg of you, fellow org'ers, who would like to have guessed the outcome of the situation if i had lunged at the non-white british with a sharp implement?