Let's get one thing clear from the onset. Racial discrimination and Racism are two different things.
Racial discrimination means being treated differently to someone else because of your race, perhaps by being told you cannot wear a turban if you are a Sikh, or a hijaab if you are a Pakistani girl.
Racism on the other hand means you are subjected to abuse and harassment because of your race, colour or beliefs.
Let's not forget - Racism can affect anyone - no matter what their background.
For those suffering racism remember this... It's not what they call you... it's what you answer to.
Saturday 13 September 2008
Dealing With Racism
So how do I personally deal with racism...
It makes me angry but what can I do about it. I'm not going to result to violence that's for sure. I guess I've just put it down to a "normal" way of life in the UK. I realise that I will probably have to manage racism on a regular basis for the rest of my life. I am mindful that some people don't even realise they are being racist, for them it happens on a sub conscious level sometimes caused by their fear, suspicion, lack of education or knowledge. For me, this blog is one way of dealing with racism in a positive way, I guess I'm trying to turn a negative into a positive by sharing my experiences and inviting others to do the same. Even after all that has happened to me, I always try to keep a positive outlook. There's no point worrying about things that are outside your control.
It makes me angry but what can I do about it. I'm not going to result to violence that's for sure. I guess I've just put it down to a "normal" way of life in the UK. I realise that I will probably have to manage racism on a regular basis for the rest of my life. I am mindful that some people don't even realise they are being racist, for them it happens on a sub conscious level sometimes caused by their fear, suspicion, lack of education or knowledge. For me, this blog is one way of dealing with racism in a positive way, I guess I'm trying to turn a negative into a positive by sharing my experiences and inviting others to do the same. Even after all that has happened to me, I always try to keep a positive outlook. There's no point worrying about things that are outside your control.
My Diary
Where do I start...
My earliest recollection was when I was a young boy, possibly about the age of 6 or 7. We lived in Leicester back then. Our neighbour would wave his kitchen knife about and shout and swear over the fence, complaining about the "stink" and the "noise"
My memories of my school days in Leicester are quiet positive, schools in Derby on the other hand were a different matter. Remarks like "Paki bastard, black bastard, ram jam" became a normal occurrence. These comments would come from white and black class fellows, I guess the only way I knew how to deal with the situation was to try and shrug it off and ignore it. Deep down it did upset me and I guess I've never really "shrugged it off", these negative memories have stuck with me and are still clear in my mind today at the age of 42.
Fast Forward - Left school, started work - Any better ?
Whilst working as a postman I had dogs let loose on me, the owners would watch and sneer but do nothing, some people didn't even try to hide their racist views, "Where's my fucking giro you paki" or another common remark was "You're late" and then as I would walk away they would mumble "paki"
So I'm working, paying my taxes like the next man - Big Deal !
I can remember countless times when I've not been served in pubs, I can assure you I wasn't drunk at the time either. I stood there waiting and waiting and waiting, I was with a relative who suggested we leave and go to a different pub, I wasn't about to leave until I had my pint, finally another customer said "They're before me, they've been waiting ages". The bar lady had to serve us, we had our pints and left the pub never to return again.
Another day Another pub - "We don't serve your kind in here"
Thank you very much, not spending any money in there either.
I did a short stint as a foster carer and was shocked at the age racism kicks in. A young boy aged 6 told me I was the wrong colour, and that I should go to the doctor so he can make me better!
So now I'm suited and booted, I've got myself a managerial job in a city centre store. Now things change a little, now it's become more subtle. It's against the law now to be racist. So for the next few years I would have to put up with remarks like "You people" and "This isn't how we do it in this country"
Fast forward to 2008 - Let's go for a coffee.
I grab a table, wife goes to order coffee. Four people working on the counter and no one in queue except my wife, does she get served? No. Hmmm... Interesting. Let's take our money elsewhere and tell our family and friends to steer clear.
I was recently on a diversity training course as part of my job, the subject of racism came up, that's what made me realise I had a long history of suffering racial abuse and that I still have to deal with racism on an almost daily basis.
On the way home I was confronted by a white male who said "oye you, are you Chinese or Indian?" I didn't bother replying and just carried on walking. I did however think to myself "this guy's uneducated to the max" I look nothing like a Chinese person.
A couple of day's later some youths sat behind me on the bus and made the remark "Paki's will take anything" I didn't have a clue what he was referring to. Other people were witness to this and it did cross my mind to confront him, but I let it go and put it down to his lack of education and poor upbringing on their part.
There are many other incidents which can be attributed to racism in my life, I've given an account of what I can remember and want to share, this is my diary of racism so far - no doubt there are many pages still to be written.
My earliest recollection was when I was a young boy, possibly about the age of 6 or 7. We lived in Leicester back then. Our neighbour would wave his kitchen knife about and shout and swear over the fence, complaining about the "stink" and the "noise"
My memories of my school days in Leicester are quiet positive, schools in Derby on the other hand were a different matter. Remarks like "Paki bastard, black bastard, ram jam" became a normal occurrence. These comments would come from white and black class fellows, I guess the only way I knew how to deal with the situation was to try and shrug it off and ignore it. Deep down it did upset me and I guess I've never really "shrugged it off", these negative memories have stuck with me and are still clear in my mind today at the age of 42.
Fast Forward - Left school, started work - Any better ?
Whilst working as a postman I had dogs let loose on me, the owners would watch and sneer but do nothing, some people didn't even try to hide their racist views, "Where's my fucking giro you paki" or another common remark was "You're late" and then as I would walk away they would mumble "paki"
So I'm working, paying my taxes like the next man - Big Deal !
I can remember countless times when I've not been served in pubs, I can assure you I wasn't drunk at the time either. I stood there waiting and waiting and waiting, I was with a relative who suggested we leave and go to a different pub, I wasn't about to leave until I had my pint, finally another customer said "They're before me, they've been waiting ages". The bar lady had to serve us, we had our pints and left the pub never to return again.
Another day Another pub - "We don't serve your kind in here"
Thank you very much, not spending any money in there either.
I did a short stint as a foster carer and was shocked at the age racism kicks in. A young boy aged 6 told me I was the wrong colour, and that I should go to the doctor so he can make me better!
So now I'm suited and booted, I've got myself a managerial job in a city centre store. Now things change a little, now it's become more subtle. It's against the law now to be racist. So for the next few years I would have to put up with remarks like "You people" and "This isn't how we do it in this country"
Fast forward to 2008 - Let's go for a coffee.
I grab a table, wife goes to order coffee. Four people working on the counter and no one in queue except my wife, does she get served? No. Hmmm... Interesting. Let's take our money elsewhere and tell our family and friends to steer clear.
I was recently on a diversity training course as part of my job, the subject of racism came up, that's what made me realise I had a long history of suffering racial abuse and that I still have to deal with racism on an almost daily basis.
On the way home I was confronted by a white male who said "oye you, are you Chinese or Indian?" I didn't bother replying and just carried on walking. I did however think to myself "this guy's uneducated to the max" I look nothing like a Chinese person.
A couple of day's later some youths sat behind me on the bus and made the remark "Paki's will take anything" I didn't have a clue what he was referring to. Other people were witness to this and it did cross my mind to confront him, but I let it go and put it down to his lack of education and poor upbringing on their part.
There are many other incidents which can be attributed to racism in my life, I've given an account of what I can remember and want to share, this is my diary of racism so far - no doubt there are many pages still to be written.
Taxi Drivers
Everyone has the right to go about their daily work without being threatened or being abused. The taxi drivers that were consulted for this blog wished to remain anonymous but all disclosed that they were constantly subject to racial abuse on a regular basis in the line of their public duty. They gave examples of fares, (customers) using offensive language and often feeling outnumbered and intimidated by them. There was even disclosure of certain areas that were avoided by non white taxi drivers.
When asked why they did not report the incidents there replies were similar, they did not want to lose work by waiting for the Police to respond or to be inconveined by having to attend Court cases etc. They also did not want to become targets for retribution.
Friday 12 September 2008
Racism is Over!: "Indian"
Racism is Over!: "Indian": "Subscribe"
I came across an interesting blog that educated me with information that in hindsight made perfect sense, is there any such thing as a Native American Indian ? I hadn't really given this much thought. Technically Columbus, known as 'the man who discovered America', was in fact trying to find a westward sea passage to the Orient (his enterprise to the Indies) when he landed in the 'New World' in 1492. This unintentional discovery was to change the course of world history.
I came across an interesting blog that educated me with information that in hindsight made perfect sense, is there any such thing as a Native American Indian ? I hadn't really given this much thought. Technically Columbus, known as 'the man who discovered America', was in fact trying to find a westward sea passage to the Orient (his enterprise to the Indies) when he landed in the 'New World' in 1492. This unintentional discovery was to change the course of world history.
On 12 October, Columbus and a group of his men set foot on an island in what later became known as the Bahamas. Believing that they had reached the Indies, the newcomers dubbed the natives 'Indians'. Initial encounters were friendly, but indigenous populations all over the 'New World' were soon to be devastated by their contact with Europeans. Click on the link above.
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