[bots]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

1. English is a nationality, not a race.

2. Patriotism is a poison, I'd rather see things for what they are then blind myself with a rose tinted view of what I want things to be.

3. Hate crimes did become more prevalent after the vote and they were only the reported ones. The result of Brexit was decided on the issue of immigration, lots of ignorant people voted for an exit although ultimately the vote wouldn't affect immigration either way. I can't say I approve of the EU's shade but if I'm honest, I can't say it's wrong. Pointing out the rise of neo-nazism in Germany doesn't lessen the rise in hate crime here as a result of Brexit.

Not really disagreeing with your points. but equally the term racists have been thrown around when its actually nationalist in nature, not racist. The whole issue is being mis termed and confused.

I don't really think racist issues have increased since brexit, I do believe there has been a clear, marked increase in nationalism since brexit. I defy anyone to deny that, and it has been accompanied by hate in a minority of cases.

I think when this is clarified, to me anyway, it identifies the issues that we do have now.

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

Not really disagreeing with your points. but equally the term racists have been thrown around when its actually nationalist in nature, not racist. The whole issue is being mis termed and confused.

I don't really think racist issues have increased since brexit, I do believe there has been a clear, marked increase in nationalism since brexit. I defy anyone to deny that, and it has been accompanied by hate in a minority of cases.

I think when this is clarified, to me anyway, it identifies the issues that we do have now.

I don't think there's been a rise in racism either, it's always been there, it's just that the racists felt emboldened when Brexit won.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

I don't think there's been a rise in racism either, it's always been there, it's just that the racists felt emboldened when Brexit won.

Yes, I can agree with that.

I think also, people who voted to leave - like myself - who do not consider themselves racist and, indeed in some cases come from a small ethnic group themselves, should make it clear at every opportunity that their decision was not based solely on immigration and that racists using the vote as an excuse are scum. But we already knew that. Like you say, racism has always been there. When my family came over to this country after the war they were welcomed by the majority... but despite what they'd just been through, they were abused by a small section of society.

Less than a lifetime ago this country went to war for Poland. I don't think we've changed that much as a country... I just think racists are challenged on their beliefs more, and I approve of that.