Channel 4 - How Racist Are You?

[Bbbananas]

Well - that was interesting wasn't it ?
What annoyed me more than anything though, was the way the bossy american woman kept on saying that 'we whites' deny that racism even exists. No we don't - the majority of us sane 'whites' are well aware that racism exists. How can we not be? Whether we have such tendencies ourselves or not - I am sure most of us admit it does go on.... but then racism & discrimination is not just confined to the black race.
An interesting experiment - but I think it fell a bit flat last night - she did not get quite the response she wanted, or expected. I think her intentions were good, but we British (white, black, pink, yellow, spotted, crested or whatever) are not so intimidated by her I think. I was proud how the 'blue eyed minorities' stuck up to her and challenged her at times.

Yes - racism is abhorrent, but you do not always have to be of an ethnic minority or of black skin to know what discrimination feels like. And we are not all racists who make light of such matters (no pun intended).

[beejay1124]

theres someone in Home and Garden complaining about a yellow fridge

[Bbbananas]

Thanks beejay.
Is that a subtle way of telling me to shut up and not start another race row? That really is not my intention - I thought it was a thought provoking programme, but one which didn't quite come off.
I'll shut up - just felt I had to mention the programme !

[netibiza]

I'm not for or against racialism, but looking back through time, all little ethnic groups, English, Welsh whatever, used to fight other ethnic groups, it's in our nature for survival, so although we are supposed to be civilised, I think it's still in us.

[Bbbananas]

Yes, I think some of it is in our nature. I say I'm not racist - but I do go along with the game in our town which is called 'Spot the English Accent in Asda'. There never are any - 90% are polish, latvian, russian, lithuanian, portugese, roumanian, somalian, ghanian, alien.....
But hatred of other races - just for the simple fact of their skin colour or accent - no.

doc - good on you for being so honest. You're right - I did ask.
But my point was, was that I was so mad at that woman who insisted we whites denied the existence of racism - no we don't, we are fully aware of it thank you madam.

[tonyav]

I totally agree with doc, most cities / towns have these areas ( ghetto's ) this usually happens to areas that where once nice, but it is usually a case of the Asians move in and the whites then move out and then that once nice area is systematically turned into a miniature Calcutta / Islamabad.
Most people who don't live in cities / towns do not see this ( or members of parliment ).

[Bbbananas]

That's what I mean tony - we are all aware that racism exists to a certain degree - probably city & town dwellers are more aware of it than country folk, but whether we agree or disagree, approve of it or loathe of it, participate in it or shy away from it - it is something we are all aware of.

[tonyav]

I totally agree with you salla, but nothing will ever change.

[Bbbananas]

One of the guys (dreadlocks, mixed race - very fanciable in my view!!!) said he was always ignored in a queue or that shop assistants gave white people priority. I don't agree with that. I must say, if I were a shop assistance or suchlike and 2 people got to the cash till or whatever at exactly the same time - I would be far more likely to serve the black guy - simply for the reason I wouldn't want him/her to think I'd given the white person priority because of a racist reason. It is difficult to know what to do sometimes - you cause offence without meaning to, there are misunderstandings on both sides. Maybe it won't ever change completely tony, but it is more than a one-sided issue.

[Tizzi24]

I agree with doc in what he says about Oldham. I used to live near the area where the riots were a few years back, and it was totally frightening. I never used to be racist, but have been slightly since I lived in Oldham. On the whole, I try to treat people the same.

[anderlee]

I am not a racist although my partner is (passes down his parents) although i would like to ask...
Why have all the petrol stations been taken over by the asians?? And asian women are THE worst drivers. Not racist comments... just observations.