British Racism in Britain

British Racism in Britain

The line that exists between racism and patriotism is a fine one indeed. For many it is arrived at through opinion and experience and it differs from person to person. So who decides on the thickness of this line? Where it is drawn? And, of equal if not more importance, do they have the right to enforce this opinion on the rest of us?

The joy of opinion is that it can be held by anyone and each person may have one that is completely diverse from another. Diversity too is an amazing thing. It allows people to learn; to experience and, ultimately, to ponder upon new and different ideas.

One of the greatest homes to diversity is London. It embraces uniqueness and allows difference. It encourages individuality and persuades its inhabitants to express their varying views. London welcomes everybody, its arms open to all as they enrich and enjoy an exceptionally special city.

However, even with all this acceptance, there is still one group of people who are ostracised. Amidst such cultural diversity, one group are still barely acknowledged. Regardless of anti-racist policies, one section of the community has a little heeded voice.

This group consists of the English people themselves.

Political correctness is no longer correct. Racial equality is far from equal. Cultural diversity is simply not diverse enough. It seems that everyone is catered for but the actual people who built London and made Britain Great.

As a young woman living and working within and just outside London, I have seen many of the ways that London caters to its inhabitants. During holy periods, most employers allow their Muslim staff time off during the day for prayers. Sheiks working in industries which require the wearing of headgear, such as the police or construction workers, are exempted from this law so that they may wear their religious turban instead. St Patrick’s Day, in honour of the patron saint of Ireland, is celebrated each year with parties and parades.

A lot of this makes complete sense when you consider that the majority of those living in London are not in fact English. However, even though the English are a minority here, should they not still afford the rights of their international neighbours?

Why is the holiday of St George, the patron saint of England, not celebrated? Why do few people even know when it is? Perhaps because more diverse festivals and carnivals, such as Notting Hill and Diwali take priority.

Why is it illegal to fly a St George’s Cross – English – flag in London? Apparently because it is racist to non-English people.

Why must the beautiful lights and trees in late December be referred to as ‘Celebrity’ and not ‘Christmas’? this is due to racism against non-Christians.

Why must a traditional children’s rhyme have its words changed to ‘baa baa Rainbow sheep’? the original words were racist to black people. The exact same principle applies to black boards at schools which now must be referred to as chalk boards.

Political correctness and anti-racism policies have become farcical. The various political and authoritative figures which set and enforce these policies appear to be more concerned with international issues that they fail to notice the problems on their own doorstep.

It is also a worrying fact that foreign immigrants – legal or otherwise – seem to receive preferential treatment from social services departments over the British people themselves.

Immigrants and asylum seekers are housed from the moment they enter the country – in houses and hotels – while the British live on the streets and face council housing waiting lists of five years.

Asylum seekers, not allowed to work, receive state benefits and simultaneously British nationals barely survive working for minimum wage.

Many immigrants claim benefits while also working cash-in-hand jobs. These jobs could be held legitimately by British people except for the fact that immigrants are willing to work for much less money.

British people want to be tolerant of everybody who lives in their country but when they are being treated as outsiders it is little wonder that they are seen as being racist and anti-social.