If you think British racism isn’t a problem, consider yourself lucky. You’ve likely not faced discrimination at a job interview, had negative remarks about your skin colour shouted at you; nor felt judgement based on your background. I imagine you’re living a life where you don’t need to address your family history within two minutes of conversing with a stranger. And possibly, your skin colour hasn’t affected your trust in UK law and police.
Like most people, my emotions swam between upset, shock and anger; pure disgust at seeing the police offer, Derek Chauvin, suffocate George Floyd. A murder that began with a fake $20 bill report. In the midst of knowing another black person has died by an enforcement that’s suppose to protect, I see a second video circling across media outlets: A white female dog-walker falsely claiming an “African American man” was threatening her life.
But not to be confused – this isn’t new racism
Ever since David Cameron addressed the British nation, asking them to vote on whether to stay or leave the EU, racism has publicly crept into conversation.
But not to be confused – this isn’t new racism. Though I’ve no doubt fools such as Nigel Farage, convinced some people that all immigrants are desperate to seek benefits and alter British ways. The change during and post-Brexit voting, hasn’t been a surge in racism – it’s rather a surge in racial confidence. While most have learnt about George Floyd’s death with the same emotion I felt (sickened and outraged), many have also shown a relaxed racial stance.
“All lives matter”, cried a tweet. “Black Americans being over dramatic as usual… must everything be about racism?”, stated another.
NPC has listed every black American killed by US police in the past decade. The organisation notes that the rate “is more than twice as high as the rate for white Americans.” So, yes, when statistics are this imbalanced – we have to focus on racism. And we have to single out: Black Lives Matter.
The British are no different
Standing out as the only person of colour in my class (around the age of 5), I distinctly remember kids telling me that light-brown and blonde hair looked prettier than my dark strands. Now as a mixed-race woman with straight hair and olive skin, my complexion seems trendy. Western society currently loves white women (including those who look European) with particular ‘exotic’ features.
My post on mixed-race fetishism describes how prevalent racial fetishes are in porn. I sometimes feel, when a guy shows physical interest in me, it’s more to do with my skin colour as oppose to admiring my eyes or noticing my smile. Within moments of meeting people (in any situation), I’m constantly expected to feed their curiosity and reveal where I’m from. Despite being born and raised in the UK, with half of my family’s history residing in Britain, telling people I’m British isn’t enough: they want to know where I’m really from.
Though I have examples of past racism I could share, I’m mindful that I hold privilege. My friends include people of various backgrounds, religions and cultures. Their experiences (which I witness when together), reveal a less sexualised narrative. I asked my mixed Jamaican and Indian friend to summarise his awareness of British racism. Here are some of the points he mentioned (the use of first person refers to his voice):
- As a kid in the 80’s, the only leading attractive black person in films, T.V and magazines was Michael Jackson. Eddie Murphy was one of the few black stars and Whitney Houston, who broke boundaries. The rise of Hip-Hop and RnB helped tone down racism, as MTV became a cool show. However, Eminem is the most commercially successful rapper with many UK No.1s compared to other Hip-Hop Stars, who are arguably better than him.
- In my mid-teens, I had the first racial slur said to me while I was walking down a street. As I got older, I started to have more police stop and question me – especially after 9/11. I’ve had bouncers grab me by the neck, some telling me to stop being a drunk b*****d – not believing me when I said I didn’t drink. I’ve also had random people ask me for E drugs, surprised I don’t do weed. From a distance, I have heard people shout “I HATE BLACKS!” towards me.
- A friend of my sister’s changed her name to an Anglo name, just to ensure her GCSE and A level exam papers were not marked less. A friend of mine had a police officer pull him over in his car. When the officer approached, he called him the N word repeatedly to his face. When his friend got angry and said something under his breath, the police officer took off his police badges and began to shout for a fight. His words: “Come on you (insert N word). I fuck you up.” The friend had black witnesses but ended up losing his driver’s license in courts. This was before camera phones.
The rise of casual racism
My friend went on to discuss how racism is happening more today on social media and the internet, where people feel protected behind a screen. In addition, he says the term woke (originally aimed at justice for black people) has become overused (particularly by racists) and what should have been a proud word, has switched to refer to a negative individual.
Upon reading my friend’s tales, you may think: what’s your point? You have a friend who has some past stories of British racism. Actually, I’ve many. Around two months ago, my Indian friend was spat at during a visit to her local supermarket. Last year, at a pub, I listened to a conversation where one man spoke about slowing down and then speeding up, whenever he was in his car and an Asian person was trying to cross the road. This anecdote gained applause. My pre-adolescent sister, once came home from school and asked if she would have to leave the country if Muslims took over. She said kids in her class were talking about their parents preparing to move if such a thing were to happen.
On Twitter, I’ve read ridiculous tweets on how BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) people are to blame for their increased Covid-19 risk. Apparently, one video of an ethnic group together demonstrates the actions of every person of colour in the UK. Openly, people have made sweeping comments – confidently making their racial views public. Some Daily Mail commenters and racists like Katie Hopkins have helped fuel racial confidence.
These are uneducated people who wait for moments to sprout their hatred. Whether it’s Coronavirus, as The Times report; a surge in refugees needing help, or simply a well-known face rejoicing in their dislike for people of colour, British racism isn’t increasing – it is the confidence to be racist that’s gaining popularity. Especially the racists who pretend they’re remarks aren’t festering in superiority.
Why we need to come together
Laurence Fox may believe Britain is “the most tolerant lovely country in Europe”, and The Spectator may back him, but unless they’ve never travelled or live gleefully unaware, I’ve no idea how such a declarative can be said.
My school didn’t teach me about the British Empire – we weren’t taught about improving racism. Instead, we were segregated – my college had undisclosed allocated seating for each race. As I’m not a black American, I’m unable to attempt to understand what it’s like navigating day-to-day. But I do think it’s problematic to pretend Britain doesn’t have its own racial issues; or that they’re incomparable to the US.
By denying racism, people can make racial remarks seem normal. They can justify their dislike towards a group of people; by claiming it’s about protecting their own country.
What’s happening in America – it isn’t about turning a blind eye and saying, well, that’s not our country. Wherever you’re reading this piece, if you feel passionate about stomping out racism and racial discrimination, the deaths happening are not deaths separated by water. They’re deaths proving that racism is a battle ongoing. It’s not about ignoring the issue as every country has racism and any person can suffer – when you hear and see intolerance of any kind – speak up. Family, friends, colleagues – it doesn’t matter.
Click to read: Is Instagram Blackfishing Another Racial Fetishism?
Strong read.
It’s definitely been a difficult 10 days or so. I really hope that this isn’t just a phase for change and that people really do educate themselves and come together.
Like you, I’ve grown up with daily micro-aggressions but still consider myself in a privileged position compared to some of the other situations that I’ve heard. Micro-aggressions such as, “They’re like ____, but oh, you’re alright!”, “Wow, your English is so good!” etc. In fact, I remember the shock of horror I felt when the latter was said to me by someone I met off a dating app. But I did not hold back. My response was so blunt. Still to this day he hasn’t apologised and thought that what he said was offensive. Mind blown.
I was actually surprised by how many people have suddenly realised the true depth of racism in society. Even when I’ve talked about things like blackfishing before, some people wondered if it was even a problem.
Those stereotypes are so annoying! It’s like seriously, you’re living in a diverse country, and you haven’t figured that people of different ethnicity can speak good English. I’m convinced some people live inside rocks and only come out to irritate people on dates.
When I first saw the video of George Floyd on Instagram explore, I acutally wondered what movie it was from…
I can never understand what it’s like to be exposed to racism, but I will continue to do everything I can to help, to support, to sign petitions, to speak up, etc.
<3
I was just so shocked at seeing it. It didn’t actually seem real. I hope the support for ending the racial abuse in America (and of course everywhere) continues and people keep speaking up. I’m also hoping the other officers involved go to jail – they can’t justify watching a murder and not do anything.
Agreed!