Hello I’m back.
I seem to have picked up the gauntlet again and have started to post on Facebook far too much. Therefore I have decided to rant on this medium once again!
I read that The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities has published their report. Well now to start with there is one hell of title for a commission in the first place? It’s brief was to report on whether Britain has systemic racism and apparently it’s conclusion is we no longer do. Now there were a number of caveats and they acknowledge there is still a long way to go. I hope they are right but somehow I doubt it. Call me a cynic, most do! In my experience people I am close to are not racists (it is a catch all label and difficult to pin down). Yet I still hear from time to time that famous prefix “I’m not prejudiced but........” which for me means your about to say something unacceptable or you are trying to deflect from your own secretly held racist view? I have said many many times whilst we perpetuate the difference between people the issue will never change. This applies to everyone. There is no hiding that we have different appearances but equally we are all human and that should be the ONLY criteria by which we are judged if judged we be.
There have been in the last year or two (indeed for my whole life) all sorts of movements and causes that have rightly highlighted the unfair treatment of Afro-Americans especially by the police. It comes as no surprise that these latest events came under the tenure of the worst President that country has ever had. The problem has existed for hundreds of years and I am not putting all the blame on his 4 years but he certainly was divisive! I don’t claim to know the answer, it’s in peoples hearts and minds but progress could be made if we rid ourselves of labels and acronyms. They perpetuate our so called differences and maintain the status quo!
This is not a single issue, all over the world people from many countries are fighting bigotry, racism, sexism, xenophobia and many more injustices either because they are thought to be different or inferior. Human nature, all to often has an inbuilt prejudice against those who are either a minority or different in some way from the majority, for whatever reason. This “common” herd mentality seems to bring comfort to those who see themselves as superior or part of the ruling elite. We thrive on having someone to look down on or blame for all our troubles. “It must their fault because it can’t be ours”
If you have ever experienced any form of prejudice, however mild or for any reason then you will understand the immediate horror of being thought of as something others either fear or don’t understand. It is based in ignorance, often it is deliberate, simply to satisfy a need in those who perform it. It is not a single sided issue it cuts both ways.
Do you think that Britain does not have systemic racial prejudice? Do you think that while have committees set-up to investigate this subject, it highlights the very reason such committees should not exist? Will we ever reach a time when we no longer think in terms of colour, ethnicity, religious belief, culture but just that we are all people? I hope that will come to pass but I cannot ever see it being eradicated!
Stay well
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