Racism

Boogie

I nearly put this in Hell as I'm so upset and angry. But I feel in need of advice and support.

A person in a charity I support, go to meetings, fundraise for etc shared a terrible, probably illegal - racist post. They've done it several times before but none as bad as this.

I taught asylum seekers' children for years and their vile words are talking about those dear, special souls. People who were ripped from everything they knew, learned a new language and fitted in with their new classmates quickly and with admirable, quiet grace.

I was brought up in 1960s South Africa and know racism up front and personal, including my Dad being in trouble with the police many times for breaking their racist laws.

So this isn't 'political' for me, it's highly personal.

I have 'unfriended' the person on Facebook but I can't unsee the things they shared. I'm not sure what to do next. It's an excellent charity which does brilliant work, local and international.

I saw it this morning but I'm still shaking with anger.

Slightly edited at @Boogie 's request

Sarasa

Hi @boogie, have you spoken to the person? We had someone post some pretty horrid stuff about Islam as a 'joke' on our Ramblers WhatsApp social group. Several of us called the person out, they apologised and things moved on. Have you told them how you feel? I'd do that first. However if this has happened a few times I'd be tempted in letting the charity know, specially if their name is linked to the charity in any way.

Boogie

These are their views 'tho maybe put in stronger terms than they usually use. They recently joined the Reform party. Since then their posts have worsened in intensity.

They know my position on race as I've talked about missing my multi-racial town up North. It's the only thing I miss here in rural (exceedingly white) Somerset.

Bishops Finger

IANAL, but, if you're afraid this person's posts may be illegal, seek advice.

I think @Sarasa is right, and you should let the charity know.

Boogie

Yes. I will report it.

Aravis

Oh that’s difficult. I have unfriended someone on Facebook who was posting similar things.
I have more difficulty with a friend (former colleague) who is around 15 years older than me. We meet up for a walk about once a month. Since having a stroke a few years ago her views have become rather more “unfiltered” and have been shaped by her experience of her son’s very messy divorce from a woman of another nationality. I have a very diverse caseload and also go to a fairly diverse church, and regularly find her comments offensive, but she has had a difficult time recently and few close friends, and I don’t want to abandon her. I tend to say “I’m sorry but I really don’t think that’s true - we’ll have to agree to differ” (or something similar) and start talking about a completely different topic.

Lamb Chopped

Speaking as someone who's family is on the receiving end of a lot of racist bullshit, I'd be heartily glad if you would say to the person (possibly in person, possibly on Facebook), "I can't believe you posted such racist nonsense. It's a terrible thing to do, and you should apologize." They won't, but it will at least put them on notice that there are people thinking that about them. Simply saying "I loved growing up in Southern California" (my equivalent to your multiracial town) won't cut it with them, they need the direct reproach.

LatchKeyKid

A Buddhist person who was in the same chaplaincy course as me does two types of posts. Some are Buddhist sentiment quotes from such as Tich May Than, which are good.
But others are anti-immigrant, anti support for the poor, unemployed, anti-woke, anti-first Australians. She on-posts "Jacinta Speaks For Me" posts.

I haven't blocked her, but I am ignoring notifications of her posts.

Not as disturbing as your situation, but nevertheless uncomfortable.

Boogie

Lamb Chopped wrote: »

Speaking as someone who's family is on the receiving end of a lot of racist bullshit, I'd be heartily glad if you would say to the person (possibly in person, possibly on Facebook), "I can't believe you posted such racist nonsense. It's a terrible thing to do, and you should apologize." They won't, but it will at least put them on notice that there are people thinking that about them. Simply saying "I loved growing up in Southern California" (my equivalent to your multiracial town) won't cut it with them, they need the direct reproach.

I have the summer to think about this. The next meeting I can attend is mid September.

Today I'm reporting them to the charity.

Our core values are front and centre of all we do "Service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership."

How can they be a member when their beliefs are so at odds with this?

LatchKeyKid wrote: »

A Buddhist person who was in the same chaplaincy course as me does two types of posts. Some are Buddhist sentiment quotes from such as Tich May Than, which are good.
But others are anti-immigrant, anti support for the poor, unemployed, anti-woke, anti-first Australians. She on-posts "Jacinta Speaks For Me" posts.

It's confusing, isn't it?

ChastMastr

🕯 and hugs!!

Boogie

I went to an open mike poetry evening last night. Several of the poems challenged me to enter the battle.

My problem is, I know the cost of doing this, having seem my parents fight it daily in South Africa. (We were a white, privileged - 'tho poor - family)

One poem in particular was about George Floyd. It brings tears to my eyes. But I'm heartened that there are poets in white, privileged rural Somerset who write and read such amazing, challenging work.

Boogie

I have phoned the charity and they said to email their person in charge of such things.

This is what I said in the email -


Dear .....… ,

I am a member of ........... and I have a complaint against our chair ....... ........

S/he has made several racist remarks during meetings whilst s/he was an ordinary member - and I have ignored them.

Now that s/he's chair I find that can't ignore them. S/he is bringing the charity into disrepute.

The final straw came with a Facebook post s/he shared. It's terrible and probably illegal.

I was brought up in 1960s South Africa and know racism up front and personal, including my Dad being in trouble with the police for breaking the racist laws. I discovered that you can't fight racism without much personal cost. So I would be grateful if my complaint is kept entirely anonymous.

I taught asylum seekers' children for years and _____’s vile words are talking about those dear, special souls. People who were ripped from everything they knew, learned a new language and fitted in with their new classmates quickly and with admirable, quiet grace.

I am going to resign my local membership of the local ....... and become a Direct Member, continuing to work for all our incredible causes, and remembering our core values: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.

I have attached a screenshot of the post.

Kind Regards

........ .........

@Lamb Chopped I'm not afraid to speak to them directly, not at all. But I am concerned about the fallout for family and community. So I'm going through official channels and hoping they enact their (very robust) anti racism policy.

(ETA to remove name poster had missed when anonymising, DT)

quetzalcoatl

Well done, Boogie, its good to do something. The whole thing frightens me, we seem to be heading down a dark tunnel towards increased racism. The press are increasingly so, Labour don't fight it, etc. I keep thinking of the 30s, are we heading there?

quetzalcoatl

I forgot to say when we are in Norfolk, it feels worse, as we are in Farage land. When we are driving back to London, and we see someone in a hijab, we cheer, thank God for diversity.

Lamb Chopped

If you have the option of an official response, that’s wonderful!

Bishops Finger

quetzalcoatl wrote: »

I forgot to say when we are in Norfolk, it feels worse, as we are in Farage land. When we are driving back to London, and we see someone in a hijab, we cheer, thank God for diversity.

My brother lives in rural Shropshire, which was once a bastion of UKippery, and I had much the same feelings when returning to Kent...

P.S. As others have said, well done @Boogie.

Boogie

Thank you, I hope they get what they deserve.

(Removal from office and the charity imo)

You all helped me.

quetzalcoatl wrote: »

I forgot to say when we are in Norfolk, it feels worse, as we are in Farage land. When we are driving back to London, and we see someone in a hijab, we cheer, thank God for diversity.

What is it with rural England and racism?

(Hosts, possibly you'd now like to move this thread as it becomes more purgatorial?)

quetzalcoatl

I think there are lots of reasons for rural racism. For one thing they are very white areas, whereas many big towns are used to diversity. Labour have been an urban party, and historically were anti-racist. (And I know that rural radicalism also existed.) Isn't it also true in other countries?

Sarasa

There have been several dreadful posts on Facebook from local MPs after a case involving an asylum seeker round here. That is bad enough, but the comments from the general public are even more dispiriting.

Lamb Chopped

I’m so glad, Boogie. It’s hard.