Whenever I travel through the underground I see lots of
diversity and I think diversity is beautiful, something we should embrace, rather
than target and treat as something negative.
I’m sure most of you have seen ‘My Tram Experience’ on YouTube, the questionably
drunk lady shouting abuse at people on the Tram because of their skin was
absolutely shocking. The video to me highlights that racism still exists, yes
we are now in 2012 and racism.. still.. exists..
I’m not necessarily talking about open racism – as people
have learnt how unacceptable that is (to discriminate based on colour). Instead
it seems as though ‘contemporary racism’ has emerged where it has become
coupled with culture, it is subtle but it is still there. Colour is associated with culture, negative
attributes are paired with certain skin colours and often people are judged as
‘one of them’ or as an outsider.
We all go through different experiences and everyone is different..
We are just all human, the same limbs, internal organs and all of that! So why
does racism still exist?
I am aware of
incidences of discrimination occurring to those close to me. For example, a
dear friend of mine wears a hijab, she moved to this country a couple of years
ago and has since been the victim of discrimination, she has been spat on and
shouted at in the street. However, If you got to know this girl you would soon
realise she is one of the most well read people you will come across, someone
who has been through a lot and still maintains an effortless smile. There is a lot more to a person than just the
colour of their skin.
I too have experienced various forms of prejudice and
discrimination. Let me expand... I have been called a Paki at the bus stop,
been told to ‘go back home’ by a random man in the park when all I was trying
to do was soak up the sun and eat ice cream! I have been pointed at and told
‘You look like Slum Dog Millionaire’ by a drunken fool and have been told to
hurry up ‘popadom’ by a strange man on the bus...
But more recently there seems to have been a surge in the
popularity of shows on Islam and Extremism. For example, Proud and Prejudice
and Stacey Dooley on Luton. Coupled with
this I started watching ‘Make Bradford
British’ on channel 4... It led me to think about the topic of prejudice and
indeed the P word.
The word Paki to me, is something that brings along with it
lots of negative connotations. I cannot understand how people that I know very
well think it is an acceptable term that can be used to refer to someone with
brown skin or to refer to the corner shop as the ‘Paki shop.’ It means more
than just a shortened abbreviation of the word Pakistan, it has become an
umbrella term of which to group those from the asian ethic minority.
Often I have found that I have been in a group of people who
have out rightly said something quite racist, something that would apply to me
or my family had I not be their friends but I always get ‘oh it’s okay because
you’re different.’ Well what do you mean I’m different? Are you saying that
because I dress in a westernised manner or talk in a specific way and go to
certain places? Would I be thought of differently if I decided to dress in a
more traditional sense?
I’ve also heard... ‘I’m not racist, I’ve got a black
friend.’ Erm.. I hate to break it to you
but... that little token of a friendship does not mean you are exempt..
Colour should not be something that enters our mind straight
away. We are all the same fundamentally! Just different cultures beliefs and
views which are all internal. So think twice before you judge someone based on
the colour of their skin, there is often more to a person than you may think.
We all need to adjust our mind set and slowly but surely (perhaps rather
idealistically) this concept of racism will disappear...
We should all bring back a little bit of Jamiroquai into our lives...
With thanks to the one with the chickens x
