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Whoa, steady now, I say to Communities Secretary John Denham. Ten years after the amendments to the Race Relations Act, he says that while race discrimination does still occasionally rear its ugly head, it has become less of a barrier than class and poverty. The focus, he said in a speech yesterday, should now be on social class, community and identity. Racism is so yesterday.
Instead, the minister and his department are moving on to the next concern — one that could pay considerable electoral dividends. For Denham's comments had a political purpose. He was seductively calling out to bitter and disenfranchised white Britons, telling them in effect that they matter more than those pesky blacks and Asians (like me) who bang on and on about their rights. The election is months away but ministers are already playing divide and rule tactically for party advantage. I can see no other reason why such a claim would be made by a politician who is usually judicious and thoughtful.
So where is Denham's solid evidence to prove the end of racism in Britain? He must know we are not even near the promised land, that post-race nirvana. Just yesterday in a taxi going through North Kensington, I saw big, angry graffiti: “Say it Loud. I'm Black, I'm Down” and next to it, in even bigger red letters: “Die you Nigger”.
Last October the Department of Work and Pensions revealed the results of undercover trials to test racial discrimination. Three fictional applicants were created, all well qualified, one with an Asian Muslim name, one with an African name and the third with a white name. Applications were sent to 987 actual job vacancies in the private and public sectors. The white applicant got substantially more interview invitations than the other two. Successful restaurateur and government adviser Iqbal Wahab commented at the time: “We live in a society where racial discrimination systematically occurs and goes, in the main, unchallenged.” Has that all been cleaned up in the past few months?
Yesterday I had to remind listeners on the Jeremy Vine show that middle-class, talented, highly qualified black and Asian Britons were still out there jobless and hopeless, some driving cabs, all losing heart, because of this kind of discrimination. Indeed of Radio 2's own presenters, only one is black.
The recession has made it worse. The top positions in this country are still white and largely male and yes, middle class. Take Jamil Khan, a young man with an MBA and big dreams. He wrote to me asking if he should follow the example of his hero James Caan on Dragons' Den and change his name.
Then there's Navdeep Sethia, an architect who has applied for 400 jobs and had only a handful of interviews. He too worries it may be his name. Or my friend Rehana, a hospital doctor who has been trying for promotion for 10 years. One consultant told her she could never join that club because she is an outsider. She is moving to Australia. And just this week, the Met has finally accepted that discrimination keeps down black and Asian officers.
Me, I have always had to accept that I get less money and status than my white peers. That's the deal, you live with it. Race matters.
Yet the country is unimaginably more open and easy than it was. Parliament, TV and adverts reflect the mixed nation at its best. In 1972, when I arrived, you could feel racism pressing against you, the looks, the shoves and pushes. You felt hated and afraid.
I was in many of the anti-fascist demonstrations of the Seventies in Lewisham, Southall, Brixton. When the anti-racist New Zealander Blair Peach was murdered by police thugs, I was there; a Sikh family hid me and others to protect us from police violence.
The anger of young black men exploded like bombs and led to stronger protective laws (although nowadays these men kill each other). I had burning rags pushed through the letterbox and had to put water buckets under the opening. I was a teacher; a Bangladeshi student of mine was stabbed and killed by the National Front.
Yes, New Labour brought in more effective laws — and for that, many thanks. Britain is well ahead of all other EU countries when it comes to race equality. The laws have changed attitudes too, and big business is eager to promote the ideals. But just as with sexism, progress is slow. We still have a long way to go. To be told we have arrived by our sanguine Communities minister reminds me of those communist regimes who once decreed that they had achieved socialism.
Racism is still blighting lives; indeed things may be getting worse again. The danger of Denham's comments is that now, fewer people will believe us when we complain.
Denham is right that the poor have been neglected. Poor white people have lost out as income inequality has widened. Their wretchedness increased under New Labour and it is high time the party took up that cause again.
But ministers should not try to remedy that injustice by pitching one disadvantaged constituency against another, as Gordon Brown did with his populist “British Jobs for British Workers” slogan. Poverty and racism cannot be traded off one for the other.
If Denham tries to do that, we risk seeing our already broken and divided neighbourhoods collapse, as they once nearly did in Brixton and Tottenham. If that happens, the fires will burn once again. Already many of our estates are riven with racial tension, as the British National Party makes gains among the white poor. That would mark a terrible reversal of the real gains that this country, and above all this most multicultural of cities, have made over the past 30 years. And nobody, regardless of their race or class, would benefit from that.
Reader views (54)
This article is very true - I am a good looking, light skinned, multi-millionaire from India. I lived in London for 3 years on an investor category visa and in those 3 years I faced the most racism I have ever faced anywhere else in my life. Before moving to London, I lived in the US for 10 years too and never had such problems. There is still a hell of a LOT Of racism in the UK - and white british do not accept this because they have never faced this type of racism. There is both casual and dangerous racism in UK - it is not a safe country for anyone but particularly Indians / South Asians face a big risk of living in UK. The police, immigration services, all government offices are highly institutionally racist in UK - I was fed up of paying through my nose JUST to be treated EQUALLY in UK - yes this is a fact. If you are an Indian - and want to live in UK now - be prepared to spend a lot of money or else you will face severe racism from all angles of life in the UK. The worst part is - British whites are dangerous, criminal racists - if you end up driving or get lost in the wrong area you can be killed for being an Indian. They are even killing polish - anyway UK has severe anti-social problems and a lot of crime. I've been living in France now the past 2 years and never ONCE faced any racism here - i've travelled all over france even to remote villages and small regions - they are very welcoming to tourists, try going to a village in UK - the chavs will kill you!!
- Indian_Millionaire, Paris, France, 22/12/2011 02:17
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Is this woman still rambling on about racism..change the record you're getting boring. It's the white middle classes who are suffering for years of propping up all the immigrants, the husbands won't allow them to go out to work so instead they choose to have 13 children per house hold at our expense.
- Rebecca, Twickenham, 13/06/2010 00:20
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Sorry, we have made MASSIVE strides with racism, homophobia and sexism in this country and London especialy over the last 30 years. Of these i think race is the area most improved area and i can only see it getting better and better... However, 'social commentators' such as Yasmin Alibhai-Brown always need something to write about... Yawn!!! We all know that racism isn't totally eradicated, it will never be totally eradicated and there is still a long way to go in certain areas of the issue. Please don't treat your readers like idiots, we know all this stuff already and can make our own minds up about the state of racism in this country and the World... Racism is now socialy unacceptable to the vast, vast majority of the population and that is a huge step forward from only 20 or 30 years ago. You may well have been in a cab in north Kensington and seen some graffiti that shocked you, you don't know if that graffiti was racially motivated or there just to shock the middle-class likes of you who don't understand the street level sub-culture that exists and how race isn't an issue for most people. People just get on, they do... Like it or not!!! A bit of graffiti, people like Nick Griffin and Louis Farrakhan will probably always exist because people like that will always need to hate or fear someone else, regardless of the colour of their skin. That's just people my dear... Some will always be ignorant, deal with it.
- Lilly, London, England, 03/02/2010 17:50
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An British Asian columnist pens an article about racism faced by her people and emphatically insists racism is alive and well in contemporary Britain.
In response, her article is followed by dozens of hateful, immigrant bashing comments, many of which openly tell her to go back where she came from.
It kind of proves her point, and emphasizes the central gist of what she says is based on the ugly truth.
- Sas, Atlanta, USA, 26/01/2010 19:19
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The only racism here is against tax paying law abiding white Christians. Sorry to break it to you all, but we pay all the bloody freight and we get trounced upon. I really do feel as if the interlopers know no bounds and will eventually force us to get a spine and stop these people from erasing our families our culture our history. We need to dump the guilt from the bygone days of the empire and claim our home as our own and be tolerant but strict about the rubbish we put up with. I'm sick of carpets in the streets, Imams, Tazcat Caps and Kufis, being called the devil. I'm done with it and its only a matter of time before we either remember we are cut from the same cloth as Churchill or we are cowards that should be doomed to failure as we let out country be destroyed from within by the interlopers and the enemy within. None of the interlopers home countries would ever let us get away with an iota of what they do to us here.
- Mick Russom, Leicester, England, 25/01/2010 22:38
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I was shocked by Mr Denham's claim as a nurse working for an NHS Foundation Trust where racism is secretly condoned to the point that incidents are staged to intimidate witnesses and sometimes they are deliberately forced out I find Mr. Denham's claim bordering on the offensive.It is so bad here that if you complained about secret bag searches you were subjected to as a nurse,the disappearance of monies was staged to intimidate.As I write there are people looking after service users from minority groups who absolutely hate "foreigners".Overhere being on site beyond the cut off time of your shift is sufficient justification for assault if you are black.How do I know?Well I saw it with my own eyes.A lot of the NHS Trusts are just paying lip service to the idea of equality and diversity,nothing has changed it is still racism as usual.
- Concerned Nurse, Telford,Shropshire, 22/01/2010 12:45
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"middle-class, talented, highly qualified black and Asian Britons were still out there jobless and hopeless, some driving cabs, all losing heart". So are a lot of middle-class, talented, highly qualified white Britons. There's a recession on.
- Paul, London, 18/01/2010 11:24
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british born and with an indian father and with almost all my friends being white british - most of the 'racism' I have encountered has been from people from the subcontinent. Some people will always hate difference but the vast majority of people in Britain are extremely decent and tolerant. This article is negative and misleading. Britain has given many people of different backgrounds opportunity that they would have never of dream of elsewhere
- Baz, sheffield, 17/01/2010 21:20
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I have never been a great fan of Miss Brown. But I can assure Mr Denham that racism is rife in the teaching profession. I know, I have experienced it. I work a very multiculural, Inner City primary school in London. I am respected as a teacher and there is no overt racism, however, I have always been given difficult classes and never been considered for promotion. I have applied several times and the job has always gone to a white teacher. I know institutional racism is rife but I just can't prove it. So what do I do? Nothing. I carry on as I love teaching and enjoy it. Infact I will never consider leaving teaching. The children like me and learn a lot from me.Both white parent and non white parents respect me and are very supportive. I consider that a bonus.
I know there are token Black and Asian heads,deputy heads and senior teacher in some schools but not in my school. There is not a single black or asian teacher on our senior management team.
- Teacher, Essex., 17/01/2010 18:13
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"...Last October the Department of Work and Pensions revealed the results of undercover trials to test racial discrimination. ..."
That is not their remit,...
The DoW&P are there to make sure the correct applicant gets his/her pension/dole money paid on time,..up to date,..if they are legally entitled to it.
If was the Director of the said department,..I'd have all those involved in this PC nutter scam SACKED !!! ,..and pronto
How outrageous,..my tax's wasted so some office-jockey dork can go wandering off on some University-Commie-Student campaign/thesis (whatever)to investigate "racism"
If that is their new remit,..they they should change the Departments name
- True Brit, UK, 17/01/2010 07:58
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I'm disappointed by this article. It attempts depth but misses it. The last sentence demonstrates the author's knowledge that culture is perhaps a bigger factor than race. Personally I think it may have always been. But why refer to incidents from the seventies, forty years ago now when examining claims made about the last ten years? That's unfair and you know it.
I'm further disappointed by your reference to a DWP study. To test for racism, race should be the only variable. The CVs should have been identical, including the name, and included clear photographs of individuals with different races. Names trigger a far broader set of prejudices than racism alone. I think the author is more than smart enough to know that. They left the american 'n' out of restaurateur. Does that mean that this article is really a stab at Americans? Is the author prejudiced, or perhaps just spelling something correctly?
Mr Denham's speech accompanies the Labour government's increasing the responsibilities of councils to improve areas of disadvantage and discrimination in addition to, not in replacement of, racism. Since the author is happy to concede that things have improved in the last ten years could she not instead wish that this latest legislation could prove to be as progressive?
- Gareth Newton-Williams, London, UK, 16/01/2010 20:18
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I totally agree with what Margaret is saying. Racism should be challenged.I come from a country that is over seventy percent Mmuslim.My cousins and nephews and nieces are afraid of telling the people of Albania. What religion they belong to knowing that they stand no chance of getting a job if their employer becomes aware of their religion. How would the Muslim people treat me if I went over to their country. Would they let me dress the same way as we let them dress in London.
- Fiona, Lewisham, 16/01/2010 18:03
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Yasmin, the irrelevant, scattered examples and generalisations that you have littered within this poorly structured article to highlight your purported 'racism' is just atrocious. Could it be that your own prejudices and chip on your shoulder could be more of an issue that contributes to this fantastist racism more than anything?
From what I have observed, Marxists have destroyed this country through uncontrolled immigration from 3rd world nations and allowing people in who are not prepared to integrate or live according to country tradition and way of life. They are the same sort of people that know how to use the 'race card' when it suits them and how to exploit the situation to their own advantage. The race card is a card all too happily exploited with in politically correct organisations.
Reverse discrimination, or commonly known positive discrimination is the bigger problem. Corporations like the BBC continue to show more black and asian presenters, or at least female an lesbian instead of white, male ones. This is not representative of this country's population makeup and only is for the purpose of ticking a marxist 'diversity' box on paper. Jobs should be awarded on merit, education, experience and knowledge. Christian religion is put on the broadcasting backburner in favour of Islam time and time again. There are 'no go areas' ghettos in which white people are being put in danger everytime they walk into. Do you expect people not to get resentful of all this??
- Angelica, London, U.K, 16/01/2010 17:36
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I am an ex London teacher and the amount of overt racism in the classroom was astonishing.
No it was not directed by 'white 'children against others in most cases.Rather Asian Muslim children were often virulent in their overt hatred of any who were different.I was expected to ignore this as it did not fit in with Local Authority ideology.
The truth of the matter is the differing ethnic groups in the capital have little time for each other.When is the last time you saw a Black person working in an Asian business or vica versa.As a 'white' person I took the course that so many do and left.
- Garibaldi, suffolk uk, 16/01/2010 14:26
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And what would be the result If this same ludicrously right-on experiment was tried in India or Africa ? If Britain is so horrid to you, go home.
- Squiz, Islington, 16/01/2010 10:14
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Mr Dehnam clearly does not belong to the school of lateral thinkers. The issue is not a binary one - it is not that ethnic minorities are no longer disadvantaged and that it is now the turn of working class whites. The issue is much more complex than the simplistic manner Mr Denham might wish to couch it. In principle, Yasmin is right but some of the comments are also right - in particular, 'Margaret from London' - Some Asians are generally more accepted by whites than African-Caribbeans - partly on the basis that the former look more like them than the latter group. Even in professional environments, that remains the case. Therefore, Asians are generally given the opportunities that are routinely denied to African-Caribbeans and it then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy to say that African-Carribeans are underachieving.
However some of the ridiculous comments which effectively try to justify racism on a 'tit-for-tat' basis is simply mad and I believe borne out of guilt - 'if you do it, why shouldn't I be doing it too'. Our attitudes should be to stamp it out altogether not justify it! All human being must be valued. Racism is mostly rooted in fear which the progresses to hatred and reasons to justify the inexplicable fear and hatred.
- Liz, London, 16/01/2010 03:17
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I may agree or disagree with Yasmin but one thing that reading all these comments have confirmed, is that racism, bigotry and ignorance is rife and well in this country. Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves for spouting such ill-informed, uneducated comments.
- A Adam, London, England, 16/01/2010 00:37
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Ms Brown, You forget that the UK offered you sanctuary when you were kicked out of the land of your birth. You chose to land at these shores. It seems to me that you have never failed to sneer, wail and complain about this country and its indigenous peoples who although were never asked, made room for you and all the others of different races,creeds and cultures. The offer of refuge did not include the guarantee of a place at the head of the queue in this country, though some might argue that successive governments have done their best to give incomers, such as yourself, just that. Maybe you could reflect on the many tens of thousands of white people, abandoned on the scrap heap of life, who are currently available to clean the windows of your enormous glass house, to give you a better view for the next time you want to start throwing stones.
- Deborah, London, England, 16/01/2010 00:13
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"So where is Denham's solid evidence to prove the end of racism in Britain?"
They did a poll:
ARE YOU A RACIST?
YES [ ]
No [ ]
- Noisyminority, St. Helens, England, 15/01/2010 21:31
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I believe and agree with you Yasmin. I discovered that black people and any other ethnic apart from white are finding it more hard to get a job in this country now, even if you have all the certificate and all the experience in the world they will still turn you down for a white person and give you one stupid reason for not giving you the job. I am not surprised because they came up with idea of British job for British people and the government was looking for one way or the other to support that, and now they are doing it secretly.
- Michael, London, 15/01/2010 20:18
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I was harassed out of a job,a flat,and a town,by a well known,racial and religious group.who are always in the news.
And,here I am,with black and Indian friends.
My best man,at my wedding in 1979,was mixed race.
I can not get a job,inside the M25 area,because I am white.I am excluded.
So,when I see Yasmin,pushing her propaganda,I think,"you work your side of the street,and I'll work mine".
- Jimfred, London UK, 15/01/2010 20:15
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I would like to ask Yasmin why it is okay for Asians to advertise for their own race to share accommodation but illegal for black/white people to do the same (come to Newham, and you'll see the ads in the windows yourself). Also, why you never see black or white people serving in Asian shops. Yes Yasmin. Discrimination still is here in London, and it is white people who are now marginalised under the guise of 'ethnic minorities' vs indiginous majorities, yet no media publicist or politician has the stomach to say this. Racism, in any way, shape or form is loathesome, and whilst that message has been rammed down the throats of white people, it is high time somebody tapped the other races in the UK on their self-righteous shoulders and told them the same message.
- Joannie, Newham, London, 15/01/2010 19:01
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Try this as an example of prejudice: How about being a White, Middle-aged, Working-Class Male who speaks with a Birmingham accent! There are no pressure groups lobbying parliament on our behalf. We are deeply unfashionable, ignored and disproportionately over-taxed as usual. As soon as you open your mouth outside of our region and people think you are thick, or ignorant, and probably both. The Bard got it right as usual when he said that it was better to be "A witty fool than a foolish wit". Bias and prejudice appears everywhere. It always has and it always will be around. Legislation only really succeeds in shutting people up but the authorities can't read your thoughts yet - not for the time-being anyway. Do what I do... Don't allow yourself to be offended.
- Payne Inthearse, Birmingham, UK, 15/01/2010 18:53
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I am quite fed up with racism only being used to describe 'white' crimes against 'black'. Rarely is it used the other way around. When Yasmin refers to 'racism' in her article it is quite clear that she means whites against an ethnic minority. So what term would she suggest I use to describe the acts of 'racism'against me on certain occasions when visiting predominantly black or asian community in London? I am obviously white, and immediately people reading this will jump to the conclusion "she's white and speaking out against white on black racism" therego, conclusion = "she must be a racist..."
I beg to differ, I am white,from a very multicultural friendship group but standing up for white people who surprisingly enough, do suffer from racism too! By promoting the idea that racism is a crime by white people we are further promoting the divisions in colour ruining any effect raising awareness of racism has!
I agree we are not in a racist-free society, but communities from all around the world are free to come here and express their religions and beliefs, more than I might get when going to their countries. We should instead have the attitude, yes there still needs to be changes to promote equality for the black and asian community, but we have come along way from the xenophobic attitudes of only a few years ago. Instead of engendering more anger by promoting a divide in colour, lets work TOGETHER to end all racism from either side.
- Beth, Putney, London, 15/01/2010 18:25
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My, you have got a chip on your shoulder Yasmin! Find another tune to sing, please, instead of running down the country that took you and your kin in when Idi Amin threw them out. A bit of gratitude would not go amiss!
- Nigel Haggipavolou, Islington, 15/01/2010 17:53
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Fine to bring out some of the points here Yasmin A-B, but don't go into complete victim mode. Indians and Pakistanis in the sub continent, the US,the UK, America, Africa and elsewhere are renowned for their overt or covert negative or racist attitudes to black skinned people. (Often you've cited your own father in this). Many adopted the worst of the colonial and racist attitudes when they moved into the middle classes after the whites left Africa.
Racism should be challenged. But it has to be challenged at all levels through all the spectrum of Britons. No good challenging selective groups on racism when there are equally convinced non-white racists living alongside them.
Reading of equality, I rarely see a black skinned employee in any of the Indian/Pakistani business's I frequent. In 21st century Britain, hiding behind culture/religion/tradition does not anymore deflect the perception of racism from brown skinned people towards others and blacks in particular.
Good luck to your Doctor friend in Australia. People from the subcontinent are having a particularly difficult time there just now, since the spate of murders and attacks on Indians.
No room for complacency about racism anywhere. But as an African born person yourself, you could take a lot more responsibility in challenging brown skinned peoples racist attitudes towards black people.
- Margaret, London, 15/01/2010 16:15
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According to the article Radio 2 only has 1 black Presenter. Radio 2 has 52 presenters, the 2001 census of the UK shows that African, Carribean and other black people make up 2% of the UK population, i.e. 1 in 50.
What point are you trying to make Yasmin?
- Paul, London, 15/01/2010 16:08
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There's a reason why I (30yrs old) grew up in Canada and not the UK. My father, a highly-trained, well-spoken doctor from India (from quite a well to do background)could not get ahead in the UK in the 60s/early 70s, his white seniors constantly happy to use his expertise, but not reward him for it, and in a few cases directly tried to sabotage him. 1 example would have made him famous for the discovery, but his name shows up no where in the research. Another when he first tried to leave for Canada & his reference was deliberately bad despite his evaluations at his workplace being all good.
I now live/work in London, and it's definitely not as bad as in the 70s, but it's not great either, racially OR socially. No place is perfect, including Canada, but living here and there has made me appreciate my more tolerant birthplace and what my family went through.
- Aej, London, 15/01/2010 15:49
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What a load of tosh... I am from Liverpool and have to suffer much worse than any so called "racism" that occurs towards others. Irrespective of whether I'm Black or White I listen daily to sniggery and slimy comments on my heritage and background. The people who do this are from all walks of life and colours of skin. I have lived and worked in London for nearly 30 yrs and still have the same old stereotypes thrown at me. What I do find is that the toffs - i.e. those with posh accents and people with estuary English accents get on better than those who don't. What I can say is that I generate a lot of work and employ a lot of "Londoners" who otherwise would not be employed. But still I get the same old crap - almost every day. So colour I'm afraid is not the only issue It's peoples backgrounds. I for one look beyond that and have an in built discipline of only employing the best irrespective of colour or sex. I also try and only support the employment of British passport holders as in IT (my business) we are overburdened with "foreigners" quite willing to take British jobs and we are then more than happy to offshore these jobs (effectively lose them from the UK forever) to Businesses overseas. We take more time to consider so called "diversity" than we do looking after "British" people irrespective of their backgrounds and colour. Forced diversity in my opinion divides and deconstructs rather than builds and extends our skills
- Brian, London, 15/01/2010 15:45
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"The anger of young black men exploded like bombs and led to stronger protective laws (although nowadays these men kill each other)."
Personally I think you should get your own prejudiced generalisations in order before criticising anyone elses views. Might give you a leg to stand on.
- Andrew, Bucks, 15/01/2010 15:40
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In the local government council I worked for during many years, it was always a joke if a senior manager's job was being advertised. If you were a white male in your forties then do not bother to apply. You had to be a gay, one legged, single mother from Gambia to even get an interview. That is not being racist as even my black colleagues hated it being this way.All this does it to cause resentment amongst all races. What world does this lady live in I wonder?
- Amber In Mitcham, Mitcham Surrey, 15/01/2010 14:46
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All the comments here are against Yasmin who has been courageous enough to stand up agaisnt racism.
Isnt this in itself clear evidence, how the media try to portray only one side of the issue?
Yes there is Racism and I have myself been on the interview panel to select candidates and I have had a brief to select candidates that are more "suited" to the business. And top positions in this country due to hard work and dedication? Ya right !
- Jonathan, Reading, 15/01/2010 14:45
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I am reminded of a recent issue relating to cultures working together.
I was called to a meeting by an Asian man who worked for me. He told me that he was very upset as a Slovakian girl had been openly racist towards him. He was particularly upset as she was racist to him in front of all his colleagues. I explained to him that this type of incident would not be tolerated as I would be taking immediate action. He then reiterated how embarrassing it was and gods honest truth said “I was really embarrassed, especially considering she is just a woman”. I walked out of the meeting. Then he accused the company of being racist, and me for being racist. The LEAST racist nation on earth is Britain. Every other nation on earth has hatred for either another race, class or religion. Someone once said, if you call a black man a thief enough times, that is what he will become. I agree, but stop calling us racists or it will be the BNP you will have to try to get your anti-discrimination funding from
- Alan, Hertford, 15/01/2010 14:37
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it's the government that have and are ruining this country, along with the drones (most people) who go along with anything they hear or read, as a "native" I hear comments every day that still show racism is alive, the divide and conquer tactics still work a treat, wake up britain! no doubt you'll all be voting for change come the summer, MUGS, baaaa
- Tom, notts, 15/01/2010 14:32
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I am truly saddened by the ignorance presented by some of the readers here, but in regards to 'have you seen a white cabbie?', 90% of the black cab drivers are white in london, while most of the minicab drivers are from minority groups who have no other job alternative, although I agree that some people from any background asian, white, and black are all ignornant in their atittudes. The road to self enlightenment is often perilous!
- John, London, 15/01/2010 14:14
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some of the worst racism I witnessed at my inner London school in the 70s and 80s was from West Indian Kids towards African kids!
- Caroline, Hitchin, Herts, 15/01/2010 14:12
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People are discriminated against for their weight, what they wear, their age all over the world. its human nature, seen as we don't live in a magical pixie fairy land i guess you'll just have to suck it up and get on with it like most of us do Yasmin.
- Phil, Manchester, 15/01/2010 14:06
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I can't comment on racism as such but I can say this; economic class is still the major cause of illiteracy, inumeracy, poor health and decreased life expectancy. That, regardless of where you are from and what race you are, is why socioeconomic clas is still the major barrier to a successful, wealthy and healthy life. Racism in all of it's forms is ugly and naive but poverty is the single issue that should worry society most. Give all people the access they need to education, books, computers, homes and necessities and watch them blossom.
- Joinroe, London, 15/01/2010 13:53
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Racism of course still exists, but poverty and lack of opportunity are far more powerful impediments to advancement. Explicitly linking race to poverty and treating it as a priority over all other factors ignores the problems of a huge number of people in the UK. The last census shows that 92.1% of the population defines itself as white. Of course there is a deeper racial mix in London and a few other metropolitan centres. But for most of the UK race is not a major determining factor of social and economic achievement. Poverty is.
- Andrew, London, 15/01/2010 13:40
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There is more anti-white racism in London today than any other, this needs to be addressed the same amount as any other discrimination. And can someone tell me why it is considerd a racial attack when a white person kills a black or asian but not the other way around?
- Lee, Bow, London, 15/01/2010 13:38
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I challenge miss brown to prove she has less pay and status as an asian woman to her peers, as far as I know teachers get equal pay.
- Peter Uings, london enland, 15/01/2010 13:32
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Ridiculous. ''The top positions in this country are still white and largely male'' did it ever occur to you that this may be down to actuall hard work and dedication and not skin colour and sex?
- Darren, Leicester, 15/01/2010 13:26
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Yesterday, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, reminded listeners on the Jeremy Vine show that middle-class, talented, highly qualified black and Asian Britons were still out there jobless and hopeless, some driving cabs, all losing heart'. The 'real' British people of the UK have all lost heart and hope!
Try finding a white cab driver - its almost impossible due to the fact that the Asian community has 'driven out' most of the white cabbies. Try finding an Asian cab driver that can speak 'English'. Try phoning a cab company and getting them to understand where you need to be collected from. Is it just me? I'm sick and tired of all these 'racism' slurs. Come to Birmingham and I will take you to dozens of companies run by Asians that WILL NOT employ a white person - but I'm told that's not racism - it's because the 'white' people don't understand the Asian culture! The 'racism' police seem to ignore these facts because, lets face it, only White English people are racist.
- Chris Whitehouse, Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK, 15/01/2010 13:21
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David I think you are spot on, In fact, in my experience, discrimination between (particularly) Asian cultures is far more endemic. The Indian caste system comes to mind and is the most discriminating social structure that exists in the world today. It is alive and well and living in the UK.
- Jd, France, 15/01/2010 13:20
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If there is racism out there as alleged the answer is to stop whinging, get a sense of humour and change your name. Immigrants and their descendants must adapt to the country in which they live.
- John, Highgate, 15/01/2010 13:17
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Why don't you write about anti white racism which i experience on weekly basis? Believe it or not i was told by angry asian man i did not belong here...
- Kris, Bristol, 15/01/2010 13:12
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Poor Yasmin thinks she is still discriminated against becuase of her race. No, the reason people don't want to here your sob stories is because they disagree with you and that massive chip on your shoulder.
What do expect when you go to a foreign country, that they should roll over and treat you better than their own.
The fact is England has been ruined by third world people changing our culture and taking over our towns and cities. No one ever wanted this apart from greedy companies and marxist traitors.
To hell with multiculturlism!
- Jon, London, England, 15/01/2010 13:12
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What a load of tripe!
"Navdeep Sethia, an architect who has applied for 400 jobs and had only a handful of interviews. He too worries it may be his name"
- I know loads of people who have continued through University after not being able to get a job with a BA/BSc and even with their MA/MSc had difficulties getting a job. How come the 1st year Indian origin chap with no qualifications at all gets the place at a prestigious accountancy firm???
- Jones, Cardiff, Wales, 15/01/2010 13:09
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The key to solving racism is the same now as it has always been, integration.
As long as groups, in particular some muslims from Asia and the middle east, refuse to integrate at any level (simply wearing clothes more suited to the European world would help), there will be suspicion and intolerance.
I totally support your columists views on equality for women, but I see no organisation or government agency doing anything to help women forced into marriages or being ill treated and even killed for daring to go against evil medieval customs.
- P Carruthers, pudsey england, 15/01/2010 13:03
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racism exists everywhere and this kind of comment is at best unhelpful.
You mention the test regarding three different CV's being sent off for 987 job vacancies. If the CV's were crafted as well as the test seems to have been I am surprised they got any replies.
1). In order to test this, all CV's should have been the same in regards to qualifications and experience - right down to the firms listed.
Someone sorting the CV's may have felt one firm provided better training than others and thus had a preference etc.
2). We have no idea what colour the person sorting the Applications was. Normally this wouldn't be a factor bus this was to test racism. The colour of the sorter could be a factor.
Racism is not as simple as 'white' vs 'all else' - there are different ethnic groups in the UK of which Anglo-Saxon is only one (although the biggest).
I would also draw your attention to another report/news article suggesting that people of the same social background bond based on this, and not colour.
All we have done with the various positive discrimination policies is to increase discrimination. If you favour one, you disadvantage another - contradictory at best.
- David, Durham UK, 15/01/2010 12:59
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Yet it seems that you need to be coloured and/or Asian to get a job as a Presenter on the BBC nowadays.
Reverse discrimination will have a worse affect than discrimination itself. It can only lead to cries of 'but it's our country'......
- Jd, France, 15/01/2010 12:33
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Race and class have nothing to do with critical lack of Industry and Farming. Government- EU - and short term greed have destroyed 'Great Britain', the rot was started in the 70's and will continue unabated. The Party System of Politics only serves the interests of politicians.
- Dm, Essex, 15/01/2010 12:12
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What about all of the anti white racism that now occurs in our cities. That has not even started being addressed. It is a disgrace. You dont have tobe from an ethnic minority to suffer at the hands of racists. They exist in every community.
- Mark, Derby UK, 15/01/2010 12:09
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What an utter load of Rubbish!
- Average Joe, London, England, 15/01/2010 12:06
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